will the red cross take your blood?

[Rising Phoenix]

you don't have to get specific.

[TZ]

1. I have a blood/platelet disorder so no.

However, whenever I get the chance I have given my blood for medical research...(Mayo clinic, Dana Farber Cancer Institute). Thats the best I can do.

[Rising Phoenix]

2. I answered no for several reasons

but I find it troubling that so far, nobody can give blood

[Blue-Jay]

3. Yes. Because I'm not a homosexual.

No. Because I don't like vampires.

[GoCubsGo]

4. They love my blood

I have a rare blood factor they like, which benefits sickle cell patients. I haven't given in a long time, mostly because it's difficult to find a good vein. Got tired of having the nurses fishing around in my arm with that fat needle. I really need to start donating again...

[Skittles]

5. I donate platelets every two weeks

[rurallib]

30. once a month for me plus emergency white cell donations

Usually end up giving @20X per year - at the state hospital not Red Cross.

[Captain Hilts]

36. I hate the Red Cross - they SELL blood/platelets to the military - so I donate platelets at

Walter Reed.

[PeaceNikki]

42. All the centers that supply blood for transfusions

whether they're part of the American Red Cross or not—sell their products to cover operating expenses.

[billyclem]

Nope, stroke & seizures n/t

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

6. Yep!

Every 56 days I give the local blood bank a pint. The way I see it, I have it and someone needs it. I have also learned that donating is a good way for men to get excess iron out of their system and by forcing your body to make new blood cells it's sort of like a 'diagnostic' for your operating system :)

[kedrys]

7. Nope - I have a freakish fear of needles

I also was vaccinated against hepatitis B when I was a lab rat, so I assume they'd reject my blood on account of yikes! antibodies in there. I have a very common blood type, so nobody's missing much.

[marzipanni]

37. I used to give blood at the blood bank until the early 80s

I have the hepatitis antibody (though I was never aware of having hepatitis). When HIV started showing up there was no test for it yet, so the blood bank excluded anyone who might have had hepatitis since people who had HIV often had hepatitis also. That is how the letter I received from the blood bank explained why my blood could not be accepted anymore.

[Ineeda]

46. Exactly the same for me in the 90's....

although my attempted donation was given the morning after a pretty crazy night of drinking with my workmates, so it was a false-positive. Even after other blood tests have refuted those results, the RC won't accept my blood. It's personally disappointing, but I'm glad they're not taking chances.

[PeaceNikki]

8. You need to understand that it's not the Red Cross who restricts.

It's the FDA. The ARC has been trying to get some restrictions lifted for years.

Yes, I am a regular donor - 5 gallons to date and I am a drive coordinator for the ARC. Our next drive is this Thursday.

[Rising Phoenix]

9. thank you for the clarification

I did not know that

[PeaceNikki]

10. Here's info from FDA

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/BloodBloodProducts/QuestionsaboutBlood/default.htm

And a story about hearings that were held in 2007 in which the FDA refused to lift the ban:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10540971

[XemaSab]

11. They are fine with taking my blood

but the last time I donated I got really faint, so I haven't given in a few years.

[PeaceNikki]

12. Drink a ton of water the day before, of, and after donation.

And be sure to eat a healthy meals beforehand. You should try again... supplies are very low this time of year.

[XemaSab]

17. I think a big greasy breakfast is what the doctor ordered

I think it was a combination of low blood pressure and a protein crash. :(

[underpants]

13. Nope-Army service in Europe

if you spent more than 3 months in Europe since 1980 they won't take your blood. Mad cow.

I answered honestly one time and they won't take it now. I had to leave the bus the last time it was at work.

[bluedigger]

18. WTF? Now I have Mad Cow Disease?

Actually, that explains a lot...:rofl:

[noamnety]

29. I have the army mad cow too. no donations for me. (nt)

[SIMPLYB1980]

14. Yep I'm O-.

http://chapters.redcross.org/br/northernohio/INFO/bloodtype.html

Only about 7% of all people have Type O negative blood

Type O negative blood is the preferred type for accident victims and babies needing exchange transfusions

There is always a need for Type O donors because their blood may be transfused to a person of any blood type in an emergency.

[tandot]

15. No. I have been to Europe within the last 10 years.

I'd love to give but they won't let me.

[Moondog]

16. No - I served in England for several years in the early 80s.

Mad Cow was apparently rampant, but no one had yet heard of it.

I'm not supposed to donate my blood as a result.

Pity - I have a pretty rare blood type.

[Bossy Monkey]

19. Another mad cow permanent deferral here

Junior Year Abroad in Canterbury, '82-'83. Thanks for the thread; I had no idea that it's everybody who's been to Europe since then. I always thought it was just us early '80s England visitors.

[PeaceNikki]

20. Here are the deferrals for possible exposure to vCJD

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/Blood/ucm074100.htm

Residence in the U.K. for 3 months or more, between 1980 and 1996.

Rationale: The U.K. has experienced the largest epidemic of BSE, and also has the largest number of cases of vCJD (over 100). However, in 1996, the U.K. instituted and enforced rules to prevent contaminated cattle from entering the human food chain (www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/bse/public-health/public-health-index.html). Due to these effective food chain protections, the risk of exposure to the BSE agent has been greatly reduced. For this reason, the donor deferral extends only through 1996.

Military personnel (current and former), and their dependents, who spent time in military bases in northern Europe 1980-1990, or southern Europe (1980-1996), for 6 months or more.
Rationale: British beef was eaten at military bases during these time periods. The maximum amount of U.K. beef eaten was about 35% of the total beef diet.

Donors who lived in France for 5 years or more, between 1980 and the present.
Rationale: The French imported at least 5% of their beef supply from the U.K. before 1996. There are also 5 cases of vCJD in France. This deferral will go into place before the European deferral (# 5., below).

Donors who received a transfusion in the U.K. between 1980 and the present.
Rationale: Although there are no known cases of transfusion of vCJD, it is too early to rule out this possibility. Since the U.K. has the highest number of vCJD cases, and is likely to also have the highest number of people incubating vCJD, we recommend deferral of people who have received blood products from U.K. donors.

Blood donors who lived in Europe for 5 years or more, between 1980 and the present.
Rationale: Most European countries now have reported BSE, although in fewer cattle than in the U.K. However, methods to prevent BSE from getting into human food are not completely in place in all European countries, so we recommend deferral up to the present time.

[TK421]

21. According to them, and how many calls I get from them hell yes

the frigging vampires!!

[HopeHoops]

22. At the moment I probably don't have enough blood in my alcohol stream.

I think they test for that.

[TK421]

25. I think my blood type is Dewars +

[elocs]

23. BP was too high the last time I tried. n/t

[auntAgonist]

24. No. I have IDA and a high platelet count also

IDA = Iron Deficient Anemia.

[Bertha Venation]

44. KESHA!

Where you been, girl? Have I just been missing you?

[auntAgonist]

52. hiya K!

I'm scarce these days but trying to show myself more. :hug: It's nice to see you too. I hope you and yours are doing well and starting to enjoy the holidays.

:loveya:

aA
kesha

[racaulk]

26. No, because I'm a card carrying homo.

Which is a shame, because I'm HIV- and have O+ blood. They should desperately want my blood! :crazy:

[david13]

27. I hope not. I need mine. Don't tell them where I live. dc

[rcrush]

28. They will take ALL your blood.

The Red Cross is actually run by Vampires. Blade told me.

[Silver Swan]

31. I donate every three months.

I had a little episode of low hematocrit last year, but a few days of vitamins with iron fixed that.

In this country, they want people to donate blood for altruistic purposes, but some research from other countries suggests blood donors live longer than non-donors. Besides, I like the few minutes of attention from the phlebotomist that donating gives me!

[Lucian]

32. No...

I got new tattoos recently.

[PeaceNikki]

41. Some states have lifted that deferral.

In WI, if you get a tat from a licensed shop in WI or IL there's no deferral anymore.

[ironflange]

33. I'm a diabetic on insulin

I'd like to donate, but I can't; it's for my own good. Too bad, too, because I have a fairly rare blood type.

[Mojorabbit]

34. I have Multiple Sclerosis and since they think there may be

an autoimmune component to it they won't take mine. My little sis was stationed in
Engand during the foot and mouth and prion scare and she can't give it either.

[Mugu]

35. No. Crazy high blood pressure even with meds. n/t

[rebel with a cause]

38. No, because I have .........

heart disease, diabetes, am on blood thinner and other varied medications.

In my healthier days I did donate and I have type O+. My daughter donates regularly.

Imagine my shock when my kids came up with type B+. Seems my ex lied/lies about his blood type (don't ask me why, I have given up trying to explain him) and only his family was honest with me about that blood type being common in their family. :eyes:

[proteus_lives]

39. Yes, the unknowing fools!

They're playing right into my plan!

[Orsino]

40. No. I lived in Germany for three years.

They may never let me donate again. (Mad Cow fears.)

[mitchum]

43. Nope...I am on the C List

[lightningandsnow]

45. Apparently....

I thought they wouldn't, because I'm on psych meds, but apparently the ones I'm on are fine for donating blood. :shrug:

[Pool Hall Ace]

47. As far as I know, they will.

In fact, I have been meaning to check with them. I had two seizures earlier this year before I was diagnosed with the brain tumor. Even though the tumor is out, I'm still on Depakote, so I don't know if that puts me in the reject bin or not.

It's a shame if it would, because following my hospitalization, I am no longer the least bit afraid of needles. If they will take my blood, I will donate as often as possible.

[guitar man]

48. Nope

I tried, my veins aren't big enough, they just couldn't get any blood out of me :(

[Dystopian]

49. Thank you for posing this question....

I've noticed some familiar names from an old post...I was thanking the blood donors...
I can't donate as I don't meet the weight requirement...but my daughter's life depends on those who can...
And to those who can't...thank you for checking in...and for caring...


peace & love to all~

[ismnotwasm]

50. Nope

I'm Dialysis nurse (among other nursing things I do)I'm around too much blood.

[Shell Beau]

53. Didn't know that made a difference. I guess it is a risk factor???

[Shell Beau]

54. I can donate. I have A- blood type which only really mattered a lot when

I was pregnant. Gotta be careful with the neg blood when you are pregnant unless the daddy is also a neg blood type.



This was supposed to be the OP! oops!

[Tracer]

51. No. I was told my blood pressure was too low.

I guess they thought that I'd pass out or drop dead.

[OhioChick]

55. Nope. Underweight and anemic n/t

[Withywindle]

56. Same here.

They can practically just look at me and say, "oh, honey, no." I'm pale too.