I too was banned for living in the UK. I gave blood regularly when I could here in Canada, and on a long visit to the UK a couple of years ago I gave there. The Brits had no issues at all taking my vital juices - presumably they all have Mad Cow Disease anyways.
It’s sad, because as a student I have little time and less money - blood was one of the few things I could afford to give.
The very first time I donated, I fainted afterwards too. I think it was from a combination of relief that it was over as well as the blood draw itself. What worked for me after that was two things:
I haven’t fainted since the first time, but even at nearly 40 donations, I still take my time and do an internal check to make sure I can proceed
Can’t donate due to teh gay. Working on changing that (the ban, not teh gay).
I’m O+, CMV- and ridiculously easy to stick, so I give regularly. We also have regular drives at work, so generally I can just stroll across the street, drop off a pint in the RV and snork up some cookies and juice.
I never fainted, but I got really lightheaded and dizzy after one donation on an empty stomach. Not immediately, but like 10 minutes later when I went for a walk and a smoke. (bad idea in retrospect!) I mostly napped at my desk for a while until my lunch started to hit my system.
So to make sure that doesn’t happen again, I always make sure to eat a meal BEFORE I donate.
would, but was placed on the no-no list due to hep antibodies
I think I’ve written this before but I didn’t used to donate because I was a massive trypanophobe. Oddly enough that’s mostly been cured. Unfortunately the reason it got “cured” is that a few years back I had to have lots and lots of blood work done because apparently I had hepatitis and jaundice. Actually they never did figure out why I had that but hep and jaundice of unknown cause is pretty much automatic no-no. (I’ve got 2 theories but who knows if either one is right. I did learn there’s ALOT of things that can give you the big H.)
As I mentioned upthread, I was a regular donor of both whole blood and platelets for years. The thing is, I’ve always hated needles and having blood drawn, but somehow I was able to get past it to donate. When I donated last month it was the first time I can recall when I hardly felt the needle go in. Not only that, but it was one of the fastest donations I’ve ever had.
Yeah, my local Red Cross loves me. If I forget when I’m eligible, they’re sure to call me. Couldn’t donate last time, because my hemocrit was just a tiny bit too low. Going back this Saturday to donate.
The only downside is that I can’t eat the cookies, because I have gluten intolerance.
I give every 8 weeks to our local blood bank. Just over 3 gallons now. Next donation day is this Friday.
I can’t find it on their website, but the documentation we got for our next blood drive at the hospital has a page about their new snacks - they are including kosher and gluten-free cookies and snacks, and eliminating soda. I’ll try to find something official for you.
Also, in other news… While it’s not perfect, they’re trying to review their policy on “Men who have had sex with another man”. It’s a start, maybe?
My husband’s stalker The Red Cross called him today to remind him he’s eligible to donate again.
I told him to tell them he’s bringing his wife next time. I realized reading my post in this thread that my excuses were lame (I mean, I’m not even afraid of needles!) and I’ve decided to start donating regularly along with him.
So, thanks for the kick in the butt.
Serious question: What does it feel like? I assume it is more uncomfortable than giving a few mL for a regular blood test. Is it more like getting an IV – where they slip the needle in pretty deep?
I’ve always wanted to be a donor, but was freaked out by needles. I’ve been able to get over needles and I’d like to start donating – so what should I expect?
I don’t recall what an IV feels like, but the apheresis needle tends to feel a little “burn-y” for me when the needle goes in and for a little while after. Probably all the antiseptic swabbing combined with a slightly larger needle. And yes, I think it does hurt more than a regular blood draw, but it’s tolerable. I’ve had worse stomach aches, certainly, so when I think about it being for a good cause, I can deal with it.
(I work in ophthalmology, and I never tell anyone “this won’t hurt a bit” - I always say the eye dilating/numbing drops will sting.)
I also don’t watch them put the needle in and generally don’t look at it at all. I’m not phobic, but once when I was watching a blood draw on me I started feeling a little nauseated, so I stopped watching completely.
Eat a good meal - nothing too tough on the stomach if you’re the type to get nauseated - and drink some fluids before donating. Afterwards, don’t get up fast, and treat yourself like you’re a bit under the weather. Accept the offer of juice or coffee and something to nibble on; sit around for a while.
In the UK we are not allowed to give blood if we’ve had a blood transfusion since 1980, or if close family members have had CJD*.
Apart from that we have similar rules around drugs / gay sex / malaria etc.
I’m O- and get chased by our National Blood Service to donate. Last donation was 3 weeks ago, and I’ll expect a letter in 8-9 weeks for the next appointment.
**The question asked is “Have two or more members of your family (parent, brother, sister, child or other blood relation) suffered with CJD, variant CJD or other prion associated disorder?” *
Please sign up for the Organ Donor’s Registry if there is one where you live, too. Conditions that make someone unacceptable as a blood donor do not necessarily restrict the ability to make two people see again.
My hemo count is too low… 
It all depends on who is doing the sticking. I have had times where I barely felt the needle go in, and others where I felt it more (though never ‘painful’).
Once in, it will usually feel like a very dull ache. The ache will continue for me for a few minutes after the needle is withdrawn. So all in all, the experience isn’t bad.
To give you a better idea of how it feels: prior to the blood withdrawal, they prick your finger to test your iron (I think). To do the pricking, they use a little spring loaded plastic tool that results in a tiny pin prick. That pin prick is by far the worse part of the whole ordeal!
If the phlebotomist is any good, it hardly hurts at all. A pinch, and that’s about it. The iron test with that awful spring-loaded pin is the worst. This is timely–I fail the iron test about half the time, and since I plan on giving in the next week or so, I’ll load up on the iron.
Last time I was in, the woman taking my information told me that for many women, depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle, they fail the iron test for no other reason besides the bleeding. NBD.
As an AB+, I try to give as often as I can. The more people who can take my blood, the more O-negative and stuff that can be freed up for people who badly need it.
Fellow Canadians: right now there is a bad shortage of O-negative, A-negative, and B-negative. Please give blood. Find a clinic near you–they’re all over the place. Give blood for someone who can’t. You could save someone’s life.
Back when I was eligible to donate blood, I, too, had problems with iron. The RC worker told me to stop drinking tea with meals. She said the tannic acid in tea inhibits the body’s absorption of the natural iron in my food. I never drank anything with my meals, but often liked a hot tea after dinner. I stopped that and had no more problems with my iron. I don’t know how scientific that was, but it worked for me.
I can’t, I gave yesterday. I sign up every time they come to my workplace, which is every 8 weeks or so. Free cookies!