For those who don't give blood or aren't registered Organ Donors

[Gormy Cuss]

Blue-Jay has a post about organ donor status and I'd like people weigh in on a related issue.

While I applaud public education efforts to convince eligible people to donate blood or organs I've had mixed to negative feelings about office blood drives and the like because those who can't or won't participate are sometimes put on the defensive.

So for those of you who don't participate:
When you are asked why not, do you ...

[Deep13]

1. I'm too heavy to lift after fainting.

I get light-headed while having blood drawn for a test and sometimes pass out.

As far as the organs go, I don't want to give the hospital or my relatives an incentive for me to hurry up and get dead.

[Castilleja]

54. Your last sentence made me laugh

and it is essentially what I have told my husband and family: You can donate any and all of my organs, BUT I BETTER be dead first. :D

[XemaSab]

2. I explain that I have very low blood pressure

and the last time I gave blood I came very close to passing out on a bird walk the next day. :o

[Gormy Cuss]

4. I know that for you that constitutes DIRE consequence

Why, you might miss a bird for the life list!
:D

[XemaSab]

11. Exactly

I had a Tufted Duck the other day! :bounce:

[billyskank]

6. I have another friend who has that too

It sounds like a really bum deal. Some days he has no energy, and he gets vertigo sometimes.

:hug:

[XemaSab]

10. It's not that bad

It runs in the family. :shrug:

[billyskank]

12. Sounds like you are better off than he, then

I am glad. :)

[KitchenWitch]

19. I have something similar

due to damage to my vagus nerve.

[XemaSab]

66. At first when I read this I was thinking

"Well, nerve damage sounds permanent," but then I realized I've had low blood pressure my whole life and I'll probably have it well into the future. One time I went to the health center for asthma and the nurse told me she couldn't let me go because my blood pressure was too low. :o

The doctor told me to get more exercise and eat more salt. :shrug:

[REP]

68. Mine's 90/56

I'm wearing a Holter monitor later today to make sure it's not so low due to heart damage (it's not; it's always been this low, but the near-syncope is getting worse)

[Guy Fawkes]

3. illegal

[Gormy Cuss]

5. You tell people it's illegal?

What's the typical reaction?

I used to say I was ineligible but that evoked the follow-up question of why, at which point I'd say "None of your business." Now I just say "It's a private matter."

[Guy Fawkes]

7. welll...

"Do you give blood?"
"No, its illegal for me..."
"Why?"
"Because the FDA is full of homophobic bastards."

[Gormy Cuss]

13. Good answer.

I mean that sincerely.

[Shell Beau]

8. I am an organ donor, but I've tried the giving blood thing and I don't

do too well. Needles do not bother me, but blood does. I get extremely weak and faint. But I do encourage everyone who can to do so!

[no name no slogan]

9. Disqualified from donating

I lived in the UK for seven months during the mad cow scare of the late 80s/early 90s, and therefore the US Red Cross does not want my blood.

If people ask, I tell them, but it's really none of their business.

[Ravenseye]

21. Same

i've spent too much time living and visiting in Europe during the wrong period of time. The fact that I have the most common blood type and I think am a Universal Reciever makes my blood practically useless also even if it wasn't 'tainted'.

[LostinVA]

14. I've been exposed to Mad Cow twice -- I can't give blood

I was a "VIP" donor before that, and gave every two months or so. My parents, sister, and BIL also can't, for the same reason.

[JVS]

15. Tell people to butt out of your business

[Beausoir]

16. I've tried and tried to donate blood.

But everytime, they'd get the bag about 1/4 of the way full and my vein would collapse.

Do you have any idea how badly that hurts? The needles are huge and I just couldn't go through it any longer.

I am a donor, though.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

18. Red Cross has asked me not to waste their time.

Seriously. I'm not joking.

My veins collapse at the drop of a hat, and it takes forever to find a "good vein" to begin with. When they look at what they've done, my arms look like an icepick attacked me.

Giving blood for medical reasons is just as hard. Last time I had blood taken for medical tests, they blew 2 veins and then on the 3rd try, hit a nerve and eventually caused MAJOR soft tissue swelling in the arm. I had to be put on heavy duty pain killers and couldn't use the arm for a couple of weeks- had it wrapped in an ace bandage and heat/cold therapy had to be used to eventually reduce the swelling all the way.

[China_cat]

17. I'm highly Rh positive

and no bank will accept my blood or organs because of the problems they would cause recipients.

[Shell Beau]

20. What does that mean, Rh positive? I think I am Rh negative b/c

I had to get the Rhogham (sp???) shot once.

[China_cat]

23. Sorry, I missed a word

Rh positive ANTIBODY. I donated plasma for the making of Rhogam for almost 20 years but I can't even do that any more because of my own health.

[Shell Beau]

24. I see! Well, it was nice of you to help while you could!

I am Rh negative then!! I guess I don't have that antibody!

[China_cat]

28. Not if you've had the rhogam

I'm B- but my pregnancies produced Rh positive children. This built up the antibody in my blood and almost killed my last. Delivered 6 weeks early and had to have 4 blood exchanges. That was about 2 years before Rhogam was approved for general use and my titer was already so high that it wouldn't have done me any good.

The antibody would endanger anybody Rh- that my blood or organs were given to so I'm out of the pool. It also prevents me from being a candidate to RECEIVE an organ if I should need one.

[Shell Beau]

33. I did not know that! I have had the shot b/c I am A-.

[unsavedtrash]

22. due to the meds I take, they won't accept my blood. n/t

[Ron Mexico]

25. I donate blood all the time, but I will NEVER subject myself to

organ harvesting. The horror stories may or may not be urban legend, but I'm not taking the chance.

[BlueIris]

48. Thank gods someone posted this. I wasn't gonna at first, and if anyone

is even thinking about flaming me or Ron, save it. Unfortunately, I happen to know for a fact that the horror stories aren't urban legends. They occur every day in cities large and small. This is only part of my reason for not being an organ donor, but it's the main one and it's a valid one. Know what you are potentially putting yourself at risk for by either signing your DL, or NOT making your family members and legal representatives aware that you may not wish to be an organ donor under certain conditions or any conditions. If you haven't told your next of kin what your wishes are--you should really get on that, trust me.

I'm ambivalent about being a blood donor for some of the same reasons I won't be an organ donor, so I've never done that. And I won't be going into those reasons here, before anyone asks. If someone had the audacity to ask me why, I would tell them to fuck off and that they should be ashamed of themselves. If that happened in my workplace? I would do the above, and then head straight to Monster.com.

[SOteric]

26. Other: I don't weigh enough to give blood,

and as for my donor status, a major illness in my teens has left many of my internal organs keenly sorted into the category "boobie prize." And no, that doesn't mean I've got humongous breasts.

[Nikia]

51. I don't weigh enough either

Even if I did though, it would not be a good idea for me to donate. I pass out from medical draws and it would be counter productive for them to spend extra time with me.
I don't know what blood type I am. I know that my mother is A+ and my father is B+. This means that I could be anything since A and B are codominant and + is dominant.

[fight4my3sons]

27. I can't give blood because I have a blood clotting disorder.

The Red Cross does not want blood with the antibodies that I have in it. I don't believe that I can donate organs either now that I think about it. I am listed on my driver license as a donor, but I guess I should ask my doctor if I am an appropriate donor.

[hyphenate]

29. I always gave blood at drives

but I was told 2 years ago I am permanently deferred because of heart disease and fibromyalgia, which is considered an auto-immune disorder and therefore ineligible because of it.

I am somewhat ambivalent about being an organ donor. Mine aren't going to be in the best of shape, and I really am not sure they're going to be wanted--when my friend died two and a half years ago, she had wanted her body to be donated to one of the schools, but they wouldn't take her because of her weight, and if she had known that while alive, she would have been upset. I think I will just let my proxy handle that if and when the question ever arises. I'm planning on being cremated, so it doesn't really matter ultimately, though.

[dr.strangelove]

30. Until the homophobia ceases, I won't give blood

The pathogen testing on donated blood effectively shuts "the window" that blood could be infected and not yet be detectable. The "window" was 2-3 months in 1983 when that standard was adopted. The new testing leaves a window of about one week. I would favor banning anyone who has had unprotected sex within two weeks of donation. It is less discriminatory and is closer to what the purpose of the ban is, to limit the risk of bad blood getting past the testing.

I am an organ donor. My moral stand on homophobia will die with me. After I am gone they can have whatever they want, as long as there is enough left to incinerate and spread a little of my ash at a special place.

[supernova]

31. I have terrible veins

I had a bout of endocartitis in high school that left my veins in awful condition. They are 1) hard to find 2) collapse easily when the phebotomist does find one. (I spent six weeks on continuous IV atibx; kinda like chemo.)

It's enough for me to fill the syringes for lab tests.

I would if I could, though.

[liontamer]

32. I say the government doesn't want my blood n/t

[cynatnite]

34. I'm not allowed to donate blood...

I do have organ donor checked on my driver's license, but since I was overseas in the last 20 years I am not allowed to give blood at all.

They blame it on mad cow disease :eyes: Frankly, I think this is bullshit.

[slide to the left]

35. I am an organ donor

but the people that have taken my blood in the past maul me. I get such big bruises from IVs and I have small veins. Just one of those things. I would if I could.

[gizmo1979]

36. I need all my organs!

:scared:

[Shell Beau]

37. You could give away a kidney, jeez, you only need one.

:P





Seriously, you don't need them when you are gone, but I can see how it would weird you out. I am an organ donor, but I know lots who aren't.

[gizmo1979]

39. If god wanted me to have one

he would have gave me one.With the greedy people today they say they're only taking one,but then they see how easy it is and snip you're kidney less.:scared: :scared:

[Shell Beau]

40. I was kidding about the kidney, but I understand how some

people feel creeped out by it. I personally would love to help someone else if I were to die. But it is an extremely personal decision. Not everyone wants to do it and it is your body.

[cynatnite]

41. Organ donation is a gift of life...

My cousin got his kidney from a stranger who was registered in a donor bank. He had been on dialysis for eight years. He wouldn't be here were it not for that.

Do some research on the internet and you'll read beautiful stories in how other people were saved by a stranger who gave so selflessly.

[gizmo1979]

42. I don't trust republicans enough to

be an organ donor.

[Shell Beau]

44. That is just a silly statement.

Not EVERYTHING has to be political.

[gizmo1979]

45. It's more of a money thing

I say with enough money they can buy anything.They need an organ they go to the donor list find a match you suddenly need surgery and they take it.I know that's not a sane thing to think but everyone has a conspiracy theory.

[Shell Beau]

47. I don't care if you choose

not to donate. That is your decision. But what you are saying just doesn't make any sense to me.

[gizmo1979]

49. Sorry.It's a phobia.nt

I will give an organ to a person I would be a match for while alive.I'm not signing a donor card though.

[REP]

71. As a Person With Kidney Failure, I Say:

You have the right to feel any way you want to about your body and what is done with you. No one has the right to guilt you into a decision you are not comfortable in making. Being a living donor *is* risky and major surgery, and if you don't want to do, you shouldn't! If you do not want to donate your organs after death, that's a decision that should be respected. It's not selfish to feel that way.

I know a lot of people mean well, but sometimes these "why aren't you a donor?" posts makes people with organ failure seem like vultures, hoping that someone young and healthy will either die young or risk their lives against their true wishes to save us. I don't wish that on anyone - or their families. Well, not yet at least - I'm only in Stage 2 failure but I hope I don't change if/when I become stage 4.

[cynatnite]

52. I'd want to know if it's a dem or repub that was donating...

to a loved one or me beforehand :sarcasm:

[gizmo1979]

43. However if someone really needed

one and they weren't greedy assholes I would give up something I did'nt need.No signing my drivers license though.

[Withywindle]

38. Low blood pressure, hypoglycemic, *and* underweight!

They can practically tell by looking at me not to waste their time. It's not like I haven't tried.

[JitterbugPerfume]

46. I am an organ donor but

I intend too use all of my stuff up

[khashka]

50. I'm an organ donor

I would also be a blood donor but I can't. (Body piercing is a big no- no . Requires at least six months before the Red Cross will accept your blood.)

It only happened once at work. I was rejected for being gay and having too many body peircings. Unfortunately, the nurse (?) was very vocal about it. I felt humiliated in front of my co workers.

Khash.

[Skittles]

56. did you report that nurse?

that is a big fat no-no

[khashka]

61. No I didn't.

I engage in some very dangerous practices. Cutting, peircing, blood sports.... and of course, being gay.
But I am very very careful. Very careful. But why should they take my word for it? So in a sense she was right.

But she could have told me quietly that I didn't qualify to donate blood rather than turn it into a huge freaking mess. So I just slunk out hoping everyone would forget it (they didn't though).

I'm not really good at confronting people or calling them out (even when they deserve it).

Khash.

[Skittles]

67. I would have kicked her ass if I had witnessed it

I'm a longtime blood and platelet donor and what you say there is supposed to be CONFIDENTIAL

[benburch]

53. You know, Gay people cannot donate anything.

If you have had sex with another man even ONCE since 1978, even if you used protection, even if you caught nothing...

They don't want your Queer Blood.

They don't want your Queer Organs.

Can't have that Queerness put into decent god-fearing Americans!!!

[Rabrrrrrr]

55. There is no need to explain. Polite society offers no defense,

and polite society asks no questions.

When I was asked to give blood (which I cannot do), I said "I'm sorry, but I can't give blood." (see - I'm not lying!).

And if they pressed the issue (which is impolite, but happened sometimes), I simply restated my case "I'm sorry, but I can't."

if they can't live with that answer, that's their fucking problem.

And if I could give blood, but for some reason refused to do, I would say, "I'm sorry, but I don't donate blood."

And if they asked why (which they shouldn't, because it's rude, unless they asked it out of genuine curiosity and interest and not in a sense of "let me judge whether your reason is good or not"), I would say "I'm sorry, but I don't."

There is no reason to explain it.

[RevCheesehead]

60. Best damned response.

Rabrrrrrr, you are my hero. :)

[Rabrrrrrr]

63. I am a small-g god!

:-)

I embraced the learning of CPE - "Do not defend, explain, or justify"


And if people can't deal with it, fuck 'em. They need to grow up.

[Gormy Cuss]

73. Ah, Rabrrrrrr,

That is why I posed this question. I don't understand why some people feel the need to press the issue after someone declines to participate. It is impolite.

[Rabrrrrrr]

74. It really is impolite. We've been hammering home the idea that

when a woman says "no" to a sexual advance she means no; it's too bad that we have to do so, because a polite society would firmly believe and embrace the idea that ANYONE'S "no" to ANYTHING is a "no", whether it's coaxing someone into doing something, or pressing someone for personal information.

[TimeChaser]

57. I tell them

I tried twice to give blood, despite my fear of needles. But both times left me very sick and weak, and the second time I spent the day in the hospital. But hey, I tried.

[Missy Vixen]

58. I have a rarer blood type , AB negative

but I also have rolling and exploding veins. In other words, there is a nurse at my doctor's office that can never, EVER leave because I'll have to go to the hospital (and visit a member of the IV team,) for a routine blood draw.

I am so sorry, because I know that I could help if I could give blood.

Julie

[yvr girl]

62. I'm AB negative too

But I'm chronically anemic.

[REP]

69. I'm Almost as Rare - B-

Just so you don't feel bad, we're not in high demand; O-s are the Golden Veins.

I am a very hard stick, plus I'm often on prescription drugs that put me on the disqualify list, but I try to donate when I'm able. But they only get one shot at a stick (I've learned the hard way that if it doesn't go right the first time, it ain't gonna go right the 47th, either).

[RevCheesehead]

59. I don't get asked often, but I tend to explain why.

But now that I think about it, it's nobody else's damned business but my own.

I am on the organ donor list. What happens to me after I'm dead, I don't care. O8)

[NMMNG]

64. I'm an organ donor, but I can't give blood as much as I'd like to

I get woozy when I get blood drawn for labs, which takes all of 30 seconds. I sometimes get woozy from mere injections (once I nearly passed out after getting a Novocaine injection at the dentist, and I was laying down at the time!). I can't imagine what would happen if I had to have a needle in me for the amount of time it takes to draw a pint of blood.

[6000eliot]

65. I'm not allowed to

because I'm gay.

[ScreamingMeemie]

70. Gosh I feel defensive just answering this poll.

;)

Immune defficiencies...they don't want my blood in other words. I rarely go 3 months between surgeries so I am doubly not wanted. I do wish to donate my organs if any of them are usable. :hi:

[Deja Q]

72. Well, if they want organs abused by drugs they can have mine. Oh,

I didn't do the abusing. I hate the drugs deemed illegal...

I refer to LEGAL drugs like strattera, depakote, risperdal, adderall, I could go on for ages. All that shit slowly destroys your body (and brain) in their own ways and nobody wants to talk about them. x(

BTW: Adderall is an amphetamine. Legal meth. x(

Strattera causes abnormal weight loss for many...


There is another reason why I'd rather not give. Apart from close relatives if they need anything... but even then, the blood donation centers won't take me because I'm on lithium...

[Mr. McD]

75. They won't take my blood

I test positive for the Hepatitis B antibody. I suspect that goes for organs also. :hi: