I haven’t given in ages, because I used to be on meds that they didn’t want in the blood supply. But I am on different meds now, so maybe they’ll take me…
Coldy, you wuss. 
Try getting an 8 gauge needle full of cortical steroids shot into a nerve in your lower back and then get back to me. So much fun I had to go back for more.
Why don’t you check on their hours and maybe we can all agree on a time.
I’ll check ‘er out in the mornin’. They aren’t answering the phone tonight.
Jim
Unfortunately, I’m with Coldfire. I’ve actually made attempts, but I always freak out and can’t go through with it. I’m sure it’d be no help to the Red Cross to have a hysterical would-be donor on their hands.
I’ll be happy to lend moral support, though.
I used to give blood as often as I could before I got on prescription drugs. Alas, I can’t go off the drugs (I’m severely asthmatic, and not breathing isn’t really an appealing option.)
I really wish I could still give blood. There are so few chances to do an unalloyed good with so little effort. I’ll be with y’all in spirit, though!
Hep A 16 years ago at 12, so no can give. 
those assholes don’t want my blood. fuck em.
As I entioned in Euty’s thread, I am giving blood for the holidays. It’s something I have always done, and now that I have medical clearance again, I’m back.
OpaCat, check into pharesis (or apharasis). It’s one and a half to two hours of being hooked up to a machine (platelets are taken out, the rest is returned to you), and it’s odd having to have someone scratch your nose (both arms are strapped down and have needles) but it’s a good feeling knowing I’m helping chemo patients and burn victims. And they give double credits, and I can donate up to 26 times a year, with minimum three days between donations.
BTW, the headquarters for the Central Florida Blood Bank is on Gore Street.
… in two days when I am seventeen! It’s something I’ve planned to do for ages as long as I didn’t have to look and now I can. So all I have to do is find my local centre and then I can say how I saved someone’s life. I think I might start a drive around here, because if we start young then, people are more likely to continue. Plus, we get cookies. At least I think we do. Someone say if we get cookies.
Where is Euty’s thread? Did someone already start a blood drive here and I missed it??
No, Euty’s thread was about gift giving in general.
damn it’s here somewhere.
Let me search some more.
::sound of search engine starting::
Ha, knew it was here.
General gab on gifts.
What are you going to give?
(Forgive me, I have 4 and 3/4 lbs of DE-CAF to finish before I can justify going out and getting more coffee.)
And nadin, yes you ought to get cookies. Ours has the small two per package dried-out really hard cookies, though one time the supplies messed up and we had the big soft cookies.
Go for the orange juice (if they have it) and do not leave early. Allow yourself plenty of time to rest, believe me, you will feel a tad dizzy for awhile. Especially if you’re donating for the first time, you will feel a bit drained. [sub]sorry, no other way to say it[/sub]
Hint, wear a short-sleeved shirt under a removable sweater or sweatshirt or long-sleeved shirt. This way, you won’t have to futz around with rolling up the sleeve (and having it roll down again) and getting the cuff out of shape.
There are reasons “those assholes” won’t take certain blood. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want any surprises in the blood that may be used for tranfusions for me or one of my family members.
Please explain?
You do understand the added risks that come with anal sex and the fact that many homosexual men have multiple partners, right? (Sorry to over-generalize.)
You also understand that hundreds of gallons of blood are used every day in transfusions for patients who happen to be gay. Your “protest” may be keeping your blood from saving the life of a gay person.
I guess what I am asking for is a reliable cite for your statement that shows the American Red Cross does not have a valid reason to screen potential donors. I would also like a cite that shows any other type of discrimination be it in the donation process or recipients of transfusions.
It is ignorant statements such as these that keep the blood banks in jeapardy and in dire need of donors. Pray that you or someone you love is never in need of an emergency transfusion.
Opal - Thanks for the site! 
Can I just say that if you’re bitter because the Red Cross doesn’t want your blood for some reason, start a Pit thread about it. This is a thread about giving, not bitterness. Keep it civil- is that so hard?
Zette
In the words of Bart Simpson, “That’s funny in sooo many ways”.
No bitterness here, Zette. I wish I could donate. Even though I have really small veins, and hate needles. I’d do it if I could. Unfortunately, because I have lupus, I’m not allowed. I understand why…I’d hate to give this (&^#(^&T^# disease to someone else.
Just makes me sad that I can’t help out.
We actually have a great group of volunteer ladies at the county building where I usually donate. They always bring in good stuff to eat. Last time they fed us taco salads and root beer floats.
Those of you who are unable to donate, may I suggest that as an alternative? Bake up something nice and take it to the blood drive.
May I suggest that people interested in giving blood do so through an organization that is not interested in perpetuating stereotypes against gays and is not interested in perpetuating homophobia…
While they still wil not take my blood, I can recomend that peole go to United Blood Services instead.
Please do not support racist sexist or homphobic organizations. Please do not suport the red cross.
Thank you for providing an additional place for people to donate. If you live in one of the states they have a location in ( http://www.unitedbloodservices.org/location98.htm ) you may want to donate with them.
Please DO support your local Red Cross, however, as they are saving lives and they can’t do it without you.
Out of respect for Opal and her great OP, I’m not going to turn this into a pissing contest. However, I do want to stress that people reading this thread NOT be discouraged from donating if they are eligible. There are a lot of areas whose only blood donor service is the American Red Cross. There may be no other choice.
I would also like to make clear that the only people hurt by lack of donation are the patients, be they straight, gay, black, white, or purple. You have the right to protest the agency by refusing to donate, but in the big picture of the world, you are only denying your life saving blood to someone who really needs it.
To think the American Red Cross would even notice your lack of donation is delusional, but I can assure you that it matters to the person whose life may be saved. They DO notice.
I do wonder how far the “protest” would go if their services were ever needed to save your life or a member of your family.