I used to donate every 8 weeks, but have since been put on indefinite suspension for having lived in the UK for 3 years in the early 1980s. 
I often wonder what the Brits do for blood because their donors would presumably live there. :rolleyes:
Would if I could. I tried a couple of weeks ago, but my iron was too low and now I have to wait six months.
I’ve donated every three months since I was first able to, at the age of 16.
It’s something I’ve always taken seriously, since I was in an accident when I was 9 and needed a transfusion. I know I lost a lot, and it was there for me when I needed it, so I’ve always considered it to be payback.
I do regularly, but they’ve put me on a break till I get over the ruptured Achilles. They’ll call me as soon as I’m eligible again.
I understand a break for surgery, pregnancy or illness, can anyone explain why a torn tendon exempts donation?
I do try to give fairly regularly (I’m O+), but I’ve been in a malarial zone within the last six months. And before that, I had been in a malarial zone…six months prior.
It’s been two years since I’ve given blood. :eek: As soon as September rolls around, though, I’m there.
eta: shit, I just realized it’s actually TWELVE months. Boo!
Right. Now there are 2 reasons why they don’t want my blood.
In your case, I think you have more pressing medical issues to worry about.
My husband is O- and donates regularly, but the Red Cross is intense once he reaches the date at which he can once again donate. They call him nonstop. At one point, after we moved, they were calling him from two different states. It’s like dealing with telemarketers.
Last time I tried to donate, I was turned down due to low iron. I haven’t tried since, though I feel that I should, particularly as I have no fear whatsoever of needles. I keep being afraid of it for some reason, though.
Wish I could! I’m banned for life thanks to adventures in Africa.
Yeah, I signed up for that!
Hey, I blame my mom. My dad was a Red Cross-favored O-, but I ended up with O+. Gee, thanks ma.
I was just in plasmapheresis a week ago. My hemoglobin levels are usually right at the edge of can-can’t donate so I figured this would be a better alternative for me. The last time I donated before that was over two years ago, though; since then I’d been on a constant stream of either getting tattoo work done (6 month hiatus) or having sex with a new partner (4 months). I figure now I could “catch up” by donating every two weeks until I manage to get myself quarantined again.
I can’t donate because of my husband. Last time he was in the hospital, there was a blood drive going on and I stopped by (they also have a permanent office in the downstairs gift-shop area, which I find amusing). One of the questions is ‘have you recently been exposed to blood or other bodily fluids’ (the ‘not your own’ was implied, I believe). Well, duh, hubs is upstairs hooked to all sorts of tubes, what do you think?
After much consultation and phone calls: Permanent exclusion. :: shrug ::
I often wonder about the ‘other bodily fluids’ thing. Surely everyone is exposed to other people’s bodily fluids at some point- just your average married couple typically swap spit and other things on a fairly regular basis, never mind the single-but-dating folks. Seems like a silly sort of exclusionary criteria.
Just echoing the sentiment - give if you can. If you’re ineligible, or are terrified of needles, that’s ok. I’m not here to strong-arm you into donating, and neither is the Red Cross. If you can’t give for whatever reason, maybe find a friend to donate in your stead. And if you’re on the fence and just a little nervous about it, or you’ve thought of it but never bothered to make the time, please give it a shot. The blood is absolutely needed.
Well, to be quite honest, yes, some does get wasted. It’s unfortunate but inevitable considering that blood and blood products like plasma and platelets have a relatively short shelf life. A unit of red cells is good for an average of 40 days depending on the anticoagulant used to store them. A unit of frozen plasma is good for one year - we thaw them for use as we need them. Platelets are the worst, losing their function and usefulness (and risking bacterial contamination) after only 5 days. And that’s why the need for donors is constant. And all types are needed at all times - it’s good to get the rare ones, especially Oneg, because when you don’t have those in stock you can’t safely give anything else to a patient of that blood type. But since we match types when transfusing, we go through a lot of Apos and Opos, the most common types.
We’re a medium sized hospital and we use, on average, between 500 and 600 units of blood every month. We get our units from the Red Cross because we’re not set up for blood collection on a large scale, but we host a Red Cross blood drive several times a year.
So, please, give if you can and are comfortable doing so. And if not, maybe just spread the word and inspire someone else to give.
Thank you, from the blood bank.
I’m going to try the iron supplement trick. I get deferred for low hematocrit about half the time.
As with everything else in my life (NOT!), I am A+.
My brother is benefiting from blood donations right now because of all the blood products he’s receiving, so I want to donate.
Is that a serious thing one can do? Or just ‘in your mind’?
YaY YaY YaY! I know that chances are we’ll never get called for a match, but the more people who sign up the better!
I’ve been on the marrow registry for fifteen years or so. Everyone should do that too.
Would give blood regularly if I could. Some of the BP meds I take would prevent me - also I think the regular operations I have had rule me out (but I can’t remember if they do or not.)
The wife and I give every eight weeks, though she fails the iron test as often as not. I didn’t donate for the longest time, so I know how easy it is to think of it as this painful or tedious chore, but it’s really surprisingly quick and painless. Probably the easiest way to feel like a good person without having to touch children or old people.
[sub]And anyone who also posts at my board should note that we’re giving out custom titles to anyone who donates blood, as a little extra incentive on top of all the cookies and juice.[/sub]