# I pit people who don't donate blood! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 20, 2006, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496 "2006-06-20T23:10:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Wnabtokio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Wnabtokio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wnabtokio)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/101 "2006-06-21T16:21:14Z")
[QUOTE=Antonius Block] Count me in with those who wished that they **could** donate, but are not eligible to do so under [current guidelines](http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html#vcjd) (click on link titled “Learn more about vCJD and blood donation.”):I always **used** to donate blood, and I’ve auto-donated prior to having surgery. I wish that they would re-think that particular criterion. The chances of me being a carrier for Mad Cow Disease are so small as to be essentially non-existent. [/QUOTE] Seriously. It upsets me that I can’t donate blood every time that one of those vans comes along. You eat a little steak in the U.K. and suddenly you’re a leper. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/102 "2006-06-21T16:22:50Z")
> [@Apricot](#): > > As someone who has donated gallons of blood, I am tweeked by your attitude OneCentStamp. You don’t own my blood. You don’t get to tell me what to do. Or anyone else. I bet you think the United Way workplace campaigns are a good idea, too. [QUOTE=Missy2U] Ditto that, Apricot - his/her attitude is cheesing me off as well. [/QUOTE] If you’ve donated gallons of blood, that’s great. Move along. I don’t claim to own your blood. I wouldn’t presume to tell you what to do. What I _will_ say, and this doesn’t even apply to Apricot since you’re apparently a regular donor, is that if you can donate and don’t, yet expect someone else’s donated blood to save your life in an emergency, you’re a selfish fucking asshole. I mean, what would some of these people say if they were in a car wreck, arrived at the hospital, and were told “sorry, we’re fresh out?” It’s such a minimal investment of time and effort, and it has the potential to do so much good. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/103 "2006-06-21T16:24:36Z")
[QUOTE=Brain Wreck] Little did I know that in my unnourished and overexercised state, my body was compensating by boosting an enzyme called ALT, which also happens to be one out of _five_ markers for liver damage. Which might possibly be hepatitis. Bang. I get a letter saying I’m blacklisted for life. Then, 10 years later, I happen to read an article in the newspaper stating that this test is no longer an exclusionary criteria. [/QUOTE] s’truth? I’ve been on the ALT exclustion list for the past 15 years or so. Was up to 3 gallons before that. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/104 "2006-06-21T16:25:25Z")
I would be happy to donate. In fact, long ago I used to on a regular basis. However, for the past 15 years or so I haven’t gone a year without getting some ink. No matter that the artists are close friends who do great/safe work. No matter that my physician runs HIV and hepatitis tests on me each year. Nope, they don’t want my blood. Fuck 'em. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/105 "2006-06-21T16:25:53Z")
[QUOTE=Dinsdale] …snip… So when the vampires called, I said I needed to get this anemia cleared up. And then they kept calling and kept calling. Really pissed me off. I can imagine at some time I’ll start donating again. But their aggressiveness lost them several pints milked from this cow. …snip… [/QUOTE] I am amazed by this phenomenon. The Central Jersey Blood bank never calls me and only calls my wife once about every 10-12 weeks. Many posters have mentioned this annoyance and I would be very annoyed by it. What is the organization doing the calling? \*\*Catsix \*\* was one of the other posters that mentioned this horrible practice. As far as the Op, I think \*\*OneCentStamp \*\* was pitting his(her) fellow employees rather than all non-donors. 6 out 600 is fairly sad. Though I think part of the pitting should possibly be devoted to the HR department. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Malienation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Malienation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malienation)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/106 "2006-06-21T16:37:57Z")
No can do. Don’t have HIV, but I skanked around _way_ too much back in the 80’s to be eligible. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/107 "2006-06-21T16:46:15Z")
[QUOTE=hawksgirl] Yeah, the whole homosexuality exclusion does bother me a little bit. Well, not directly, but the idea bugs me. It seems like they test for so many things, they could just throw in an HIV test too and let everyone donate. [/QUOTE] They do test the donations for HIV, hepatitis, etc.; I believe if they get a positive test it’s up to them to let you know as a counselor would. I have a whole blood donation coming up (I did pheresis for years but lately it hasn’t been running well (I blamed the phlebotomist and my hard-stick-ness)) but last time I had to squeeze and squeeze just to get the last drop out for the unit. Then they couldn’t get anything out for the testing tubes and had to stick my other arm. I was hydrated too. If I keep having that trouble I may have to take a break for a while. I wonder how the development of artificial blood is going? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/108 "2006-06-21T16:46:59Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I What is the organization doing the calling? [/QUOTE] Mine was LifeSource, but for all I know they have an independent contractor doing the calls. Really annoying when they call and you say, mark your files not to call me until I get back to you in a couple of months. Then in a couple of days or a week a different person calls, and has no idea why you are not pleased to hear from them. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/109 "2006-06-21T16:52:28Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] I wonder how the development of artificial blood is going? [/QUOTE] I was involved in some of the early testing of oxyglobin, a veterinary “artificial blood” (actually more of an artificial hemoglobin). Cost has been a problem, plus dog/cat blood is available from many labs via overnight shipment. ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/110 "2006-06-21T16:57:11Z")
Thank goodness Canadian Blood Services has a vastly different policy when it comes to “reminder” calls. When I could donate regularly, they would call every 56 days. When I’ve been deferred in the past (new tattoo, trip to Mexico, low iron) they noted the date that I was eligible, and called again when that time came. I am again uneligible (pregnant) and I fully expect a call next March once I am eligible again. They are always polite - calling only once, and they will leave a message if no one answers. On the other hand, I know of very few people who are eligible to donate. Tattoos, piercings, travel…I don’t know anyone my own age (30) who can give regularly. I only just sneak by the mad cow rule. (came back to Canada a few months before the magic date, having lived in England for two years) ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/111 "2006-06-21T16:59:13Z")
[QUOTE=davenportavenger] But my workplace does it right. We get one extra paid day off for every two donations. Plus you get to take the rest of the day off paid after your donation. I work in a hospital, so they are extra-aware of blood donation. I don’t know what attendance is like here, but I bet it’s better than workplaces that don’t hand out the perks. [/QUOTE] Man, I’d get so bitter working where you do. I try to donate every time a blood drive is around, but I’ve only ever been able to donate once in my life; my iron is just too damn low (and even that one time, my blood had to be spun around since it still floated to the top of the blue liquid. I just _barely_ made it). If you at least _try_ twice, do you get the day off? ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/112 "2006-06-21T17:02:35Z")
[QUOTE=zweisamkeit] Man, I’d get so bitter working where you do. I try to donate every time a blood drive is around, but I’ve only ever been able to donate once in my life; my iron is just too damn low (and even that one time, my blood had to be spun around since it still floated to the top of the blue liquid. I just _barely_ made it). If you at least _try_ twice, do you get the day off? [/QUOTE] Not sure. Actually, I’m a little nervous that I won’t make it because the last time I gave blood they had to stick me four times and it took the blood a half hour to come out because I’m not a gusher. They told me that I have bad anatomy for giving blood but if there’s not anything wrong with the blood I don’t mind getting stuck a bunch. Does seem a bit unfair for people who can’t donate, though. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/113 "2006-06-21T17:03:00Z")
[QUOTE=zweisamkeit] Man, I’d get so bitter working where you do. I try to donate every time a blood drive is around, but I’ve only ever been able to donate once in my life; my iron is just too damn low (and even that one time, my blood had to be spun around since it still floated to the top of the blue liquid. I just _barely_ made it). If you at least _try_ twice, do you get the day off? [/QUOTE] We had a similar thing another place I worked, you got the time to donate plus a half day vacation time, up to 3 extra days a year. Annoyed me that I was left out of that benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Clam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3bc359/32.png) [@Happy\_Clam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Clam)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/114 "2006-06-21T17:43:25Z")
[QUOTE=vetbridge] I was involved in some of the early testing of oxyglobin, a veterinary “artificial blood” (actually more of an artificial hemoglobin). Cost has been a problem, plus dog/cat blood is available from many labs via overnight shipment. [/QUOTE] Funnily enough, there was an article about that in my paper this morning. Overview? Going ok, but a ways to go yet (isn’t that always the case). ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/115 "2006-06-21T17:43:58Z")
Keep in mind, too, that all those tests they run on everyone’s blood to make sure it’s safe aren’t exactly free. They have to be paid for somewhere along the line. ---
**Author:** ![Grelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a5b964/32.png) [@Grelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grelby)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/116 "2006-06-21T18:09:30Z")
[QUOTE=Antonius Block] Count me in with those who wished that they **could** donate, but are not eligible to do so under [current guidelines](http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html#vcjd) (click on link titled “Learn more about vCJD and blood donation.”):I always **used** to donate blood, and I’ve auto-donated prior to having surgery. I wish that they would re-think that particular criterion. The chances of me being a carrier for Mad Cow Disease are so small as to be essentially non-existent. [/QUOTE] Well, I for one don’t care how small the chances are. TSEs are deadly dangerous - 100% fatal, and the infectious prion is extremely difficult to destroy. Surgical instruments used on patients with CJD must never be used again, because autoclaving and other sterilization procedures _do not work effectively_. Current research may lead to an effective vaccine against CJD and other TSEs, but until this is well established and everyone has it, it’s best not to take any chances. As for donating, I’m with the people who are a bit irritated by the tone of the OP and others saying that they “don’t like people who don’t donate.” You know what? People have reasons for not donating. It doesn’t make them apathetic, it doesn’t make them lazy, it doesn’t make them jerks, it doesn’t make them wimps. No one should be made to feel guilty (unless they are just lazy, apathetic or jerks) about not donating. Me? I would love to donate… but for whatever reason I’m not very comfortable with the idea. I have no idea why - I’m not particularly afraid of needles. Hell, I went through a big hospital adventure four years ago in which I saw more needles than I’d previously encountered in my life. I even got used to them. It might be just the fear of something a little bit weird (you know, having a pint of your blood drained) for the first time. Who knows? My roommate has donated many times. I think that I may get him to come along for moral support sometime, because I do think that it’s a good thing to do. And if you needle-phobic Dopers can do it, then dammit, I can too! But my roomie has never presumed to judge me for never having donated, and I think that everyone else should be given the same courtesy. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/117 "2006-06-21T18:16:53Z")
I used to not be able to give because I was too thin, but now that I’m…ahem…bigger, I might take a stab at it. My blood pressure is very low. I actually couldn’t fill three tubes of blood at one point. I’m sure that’s no longer the case. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/118 "2006-06-21T18:34:34Z")
[QUOTE=Grelby] Well, I for one don’t care how small the chances are. TSEs are deadly dangerous - 100% fatal, and the infectious prion is extremely difficult to destroy. Surgical instruments used on patients with CJD must never be used again, because autoclaving and other sterilization procedures _do not work effectively_. Current research may lead to an effective vaccine against CJD and other TSEs, but until this is well established and everyone has it, it’s best not to take any chances. [/QUOTE] Yeah, but not getting blood when you need it is fatal too. It _does_ matter how small the chances are - not least because British blood is far from the only way to catch a prion disease (and in fact, I’ve never heard that blood is actually a proven vector for vCJD.) Hell, you could just be _really, really unlucky_ and get a transfusion from someone with Fatal Familial Insomnia, and there’s your prion disease. Or, since U.S. cattle have had the disease, you could get a vCJD-infected transfusion from someone who’s never left the country. Nothing I’ve read indicates that that’s any less likely than getting it from someone British. I just think the whole British blood thing is probably not a good trade. There’s no evidence that a single life has been saved by it because there’s no evidence that the blood of people who have spent more than three months in the U.K. has any measurable risk of transmitting vCJD. There’s a substantial number of people who can’t donate, and for no demonstrable gain. I don’t know anything about the workings of the blood bank system, so I don’t know how serious “blood shortages” are - but it only makes sense to look at the risk of disease transmission in relation to the risk of not having enough blood available. ---
**Author:** ![abbeytxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@abbeytxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abbeytxs)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/119 "2006-06-21T19:16:53Z")
To those of you who donate on a regular basis, or even have donated a couple of times, I thank you on behalf of my friends and family members who have been in situations where they needed blood to survive. I donate on a regular basis and will continue to as long as I am able in hopes that I can pay you all back some day. As far as the extreme restrictions the blood banks have to use in terms of who can and can’t give, I attribute that to fear of being sued. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496/120 "2006-06-21T20:08:19Z")
I just donated three hours ago at the bloodmobile that came by my workplace. I have donated blood sporadically my whole adult life but it had been a few years since my last donation. There are a ton of people at my workplace wearing wraps around their elbows today. The turnout has been great. I don’t have a problem with people who don’t donate. That’s their private business. I feel good today that I had the opportunity to help. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-dont-donate-blood/361496.md?page=7)