Every time I donate at the Red Cross (every 8 weeks), there seem to be additional questions that have become part of the screening process. The need and urgency increase as the pool of potential donors shrinks.
So that got me to wondering how often people lie in some of their responses, especially to the ones related to your sexual practices. For example,
“have you EVER had sex with a man who’s had sex with a man?”
“have you ever had sex with someone who has ever been paid for sex or ever used intravenous drugs?”
I mean, that rules out a lot of people, even the ones who practiced safe sex in those situations, as well as the ones who’ve been tested for STD’s and come up clean, and those who haven’t had that kind of sex in decades.
So, have you lied to the Red Cross? To what questions? Is it an issue for you (the lying, or that their screening is so discriminating).
I’m curious as to why they have the weight limit set where they do. I’d like to give blood but can’t because of my weight – also what’s the deal with tattoos? Is it 6 months since your last piece that you can give blood again?
I’ve never lied, and I have problems with people who do. I haven’t been able to donate in over a year (anemia), but I’m hoping to later this year.
I agree that some of the blood banks are overly cautious in some areas. Why should someone who’s been in a monogamous relationship with someone for 10 years be barred from donating because he’s gay, but a straight guy who was a complete horndog for years but who’s been behaving himself for the last year be able to donate? But I think working on changing the policy is the answer, not lying and donating anyway.
People who lie to get free AIDS tests piss me off. If you want a free AIDS tests, go to a public health clinic. Geez, I can’t believe what some people do.
XJETGIRL, I think the weight restriction is due to the percentage of blood volume you’re giving - a pint from someone who’s 110 lbs (or whatever the value is) is pretty significant. I could be wrong, though (and if so, I’m sure someone will correct me very soon).
I was wondering about weight too. The last time I gave blood I believe the upper limit was 300 LBS. That was a long time ago. Here’s what the Red Cross has to say on the subject:
I can’t give anymore because of visits to the UK. I am sorry about that, because I liked to give blood, but their rules are their rules. I don’t know enough about the UK one to comment, but I do think the ones about homosexuality are wrong-headed. That said, no, I don’t lie and strongly believe no one should.
Note that the Red Cross is not the only organization that accepts donated blood; other organizations may have different requirements, but must conform to federal & usually state ordinances.
And I’m probably completely wrong, but I thought I’d been told that lying on some questions in order to donate or get tested was a violation of state law (this is in California).
OMG - Surely they do screen the blood for exactly that sort of thing. Wouldn’t this mean, that medical/nursing/whatever their name is staff would have information that could help prevent the spred of disease, but do not divulge it?
Well, when my blood tested positive for Hep B antibodies and I was put on permanent deferral (not allowed to donate ever again), the local blood bank sent me a letter. I think federal law requires them to notify you if your blood is rejected for any medical reason.
Here is a link from my local Red Cross confirming that they test the blood. I have asked the nurses before and they said that 100% of the blood is tested these days. I’m not sure that is a nationwide thing but thats what the locals here tell me.
By medical reason, I mean being HIV, HepB, or whatever positive. Other donations are thrown out because they clotted in the bag, or the bag didn’t fill adequately, or whatever. Those are, for lack of a better word, sampling errors, and they don’t have to notify you about that sort of thing.
[hijack]You know, there are a lot of eligible people (according to the Red Cross rules) who just don’t donate. They’re busy, they’re lazy, they’re scared of needles (and I don’t mean they pass out - they just don’t like needles - I don’t like 'em either, but not many people do).
There was a big glut of donations after 9/11. I wonder how many of those people donated a second time?
Do folks who are donors try to get their friends to donote? I have to say, I really don’t. I know OpalCat had a blood donation challenge thread earlier in the year, which was a great idea. Any thoughts on how to get other people to donate?
I actually had a related thread a long time ago, and many posters misunderstood what I was asking - they thought I wanted to know “because I have HIV,” “because I have Hepatitis C,” “because I’m anemic,” etc. What I was asking is “If you are eligible to donate and don’t, why don’t you?”
Maybe next time I donate (I hope next month - I’m waiting for some blood test results), I’ll grab a pile of brochures and give 'em out at the the next family party.
Pablito, if you’d prefer I’d drop this and start a seprate thread, just say the word.[/hijack]
It’s mostly the danger from the various types of hepatitis that improper tattoo procedures can expose you to. Proper sterile technique minimizes or eliminates this risk, but they don’t know how reputable or careful your artist was/is.
I wouldn’t lie on a donor form. There are two reasons to donate blood, imho; free cookies and the feeling of doing a good deed. I’m not that hard up for cookies, and if I’m lying, it would ruin any feeling that I was doing a good deed. I suppose there are some cases where you can get free stuff for donating (like a T-shirt and goodies at the SD Comic-Con blood drive) but in those cases, they still take your blood and give you the stuff; all you have to do is use the “don’t use my blood” sticker.
I donated frequently when I worked within walking distance of a regular donation area, but haven’t in a long time since then. It sounds like requirements have gotten stricter since I last gave.
As an employee who works for the Vampires, let me say 3 things.
Lying to donate is wrong, and potentially can harm another individual, no matter if you think you have “good” blood or not. Have some common sense. The rules are not in place to single you out, but in ORDER TO ENSURE A SAFE BLOOD SUPPLY for everyone involved. If that precludes you, thanks for trying, but please do not take it personally. If you still want to help out, there are many other things you can do to volunteer. Call your local centre to find out.
If you pick the “Do not use” sticker, your blood is not even tested. (at least in Canada) To test blood that won’t be used for anything is a huge waste of resources. ($400+ per donation to collect, process, test, and distribute). Also, to use the “Yes” sticker when you know your blood shouldn’t be used, or that you lied at any point during screening is not only morally heinous, but is also a crime. You are putting people’s lives in danger when you do that.
Testing criteria change all the time based on circumstances, and new testing procedures. Yes, you may be excluded for what you think is a stupid reason, but it is there to serve a purpose, and these rules do change with the times, based on solid scientific testing and evidence. Don’t presume to know that you are “safe” when you may not be.
Donating is a wonderful, wonderful thing. You are giving the gift of life, and should feel proud. If you want to donate, but for some reason, you genuinely cannot, you should also be proud for attempting. I applaud you for doing so.
But to lie in order to donate is to risk the health of your fellow citizens for no good reason. That is morally reprehensible. Imagine if you woke up after receiving a transfusion for any reason only to find out that you got “X” disease since someone lied on their form and through some bizarre set of circumstances it ended up not being caught until to late (or the virus was in too small of an amountto be detected). not a nice thing to think about, but if you lie on your forms, this is exactly waht can happen. Why be that person?
