I gave blood today
 

They called me and set up an appointment to go to a local Blood Clinic. When you get there, I simply registered that I was giving blood. I sat down and had to answer a few questions about my personal info (name, address, etc). She then pricked my finger to check my iodine levels, Im not sure why. I then had to fill out some paperwork regarding my general health, such as wheather I took drugs by needles, or been exposed to HIV. I then went to a sort of "mini-interview" where they ask some more personal qusetions. Such as have you had gay sex with a man while unprotected, taken cocaine, been exposed to SARS or HIV or a bunch of other diseases.

After this stage, they take you to a type of collapseable couch. They lay you down, stick a needle in your arm, and suck out about a pint of blood (i think). All very simple, the whole process takes about 30 minutes.

I highly push people to give blood. Its such a simple thing to do, and you could potentially be saving lives. The only excuse I've heard, other than you have diseases, is "well, Im afraid of needles". To this I say, a moment's pain is well worth the saving of a life. In Canada, its all donated, you dont get paid for it. But Im sure in America, you get paid for it. So thats an added bonus for all you Americans. :D

i would do it, but i dont have much blood to give (barely, barely over the requirement and i dont wanna push it)

and i'm real afraid of needles.

Well, I used to be afraid of needles, but I just got a few imunizations for college shit, and the fear is gone. Next time I see a blood drive, Ill be there!

Good going, guy.
I give blood every so often...been doing it since I was in jr. high school.

It has the extra added benefit of letting you know if you're clean.
They test the small sample out.
Sometimes you even get the results back,
or you become a part of a study and you get those results. (this is very cool)

Just make sure, you've eaten...hopefully with some juice.
And that you have enough body mass to draw the required amount.
Actually the little pin prick for iron hurts more than the bigger needle. (it is nothing.)
They can do this with their eyes closed. (but don't;))

Give blood...it shows you care.

been doing it for years...it's a good thing...nothing to be afraid of...

In high school I could never give blood because it never failed that they would always come when I had a game that night or I was in a tournament. The coach said we couldn't. I gave blood during the Sept. 11th tragedy and I give blood every so often. The needles are nothin.. your little bit of pain could help save a life ;)

*looking North of the border* Nope... we don't get paid to donate 'whole blood'... we do get paid for plasma... *smile* did that a time or two...

The company where I work sponsers a Red Cross blood drive every 3 months... so I donate every 3 months... *smile* convienience is everything! *smile*

I love the questionaire... *grin* they know more about my sexual past than spring does... *L*

btw... kudos to you for donating!

Me too. They have a blood drive every couple of months at my office and I've given at every one for the last couple of years. Honestly, it really doesn't hurt much. I always find that taking the Band-Aid off my hairy arm hurts lots worse than the needle.

I donate regularly. I've never heard of being paid for it.

The test is to check your iron levels to make sure you have enough that it won't endanger you to give blood.

The iodine they use (if you're not allergic) is to cleanse the site where they'll take the blood.

I used to donate regularly but my hemoglobin (iron) levels haven't been high enough for the last year or so.

Thanks to everyone who donates. :)

Donating is no big deal. Giving the gift of your blood sure makes you feel good. I received several units when my apendix burst, so donating is my way of saying thanks.

Sorry but I need all my blood.

I believe in donating. Once I get done moving I will get back on a schedule for donating. I am afraid of needles but since I fill the bag so quick it is bearable to me.

i've donated before, and would like to again sometime, but i don't think i can. i had to have a transfusion about 5 months ago, and (while i don't know for sure) i think that may disqualify me from giving ever again, or for at least some time.

I'm not allowed to give blood because my wife used to be a junkie and the rules of the blood bank say that you don't get to give blood if you've used needles or are having sex with someone who did/does.

Needless to say, my wife's been clean for more than 5 years. You gotta love the rules...

I used to give blood regularily in my younger years. I havnt done it in about 5 years although I should.

One problem though that I notice is that I tend to get sick everytime I give blood. Maybe its just coincidence or just in my head but I think my immune system is compromised when I give blood for a day or two.

Anyone concur?

Know what's fun? Take three buddies in there and have a race to see who fills their bag fastest. Slowest bleeder buys lunch!

My personal record is 2 minutes 35 seconds. I'm usually more in the 4 minute range. Which is fast. We've got one guy who's never broken 7 minutes.

I've given blood every 8 weeks since September 20th, 2001. Nothing like a national disaster to get me over MY fear of needles!

I used to give blood every 8 weeks. Now they call me for platelets. Go in, spend about 2 hours in the place, they suck the blood out, spin it to seperate it, keep the platelets and put the plasma back.

I started giving blood regularly around 7 years ago, then in '99 I moved and lost the routine. I started again after 9-11. I really hate needles. Here's a tip: dont' look at it! Just stare away from the nurse, at the ceiling, at someone else giving blood, anything. Then all you have to deal with is the stick, which is over in a flash.
I've never heard of immune system compromise after donating. Probably just coincidence or from the stress of donating. I once psyched myself out after donating telling myself I was tired the rest of the day because "I had less blood, therefore less oxygen." It only happened once so I know I did it to myself.
It is very healthy to donate regularly, especially for guys. We don't have that monthy bleeding problem to deal with. Research has shown reduced risk of heart disease for older males who donate and don't smoke. Not particularly helpful your you younger guys, but remember donating can save someone's life.

can you link to some of these studies?

I love donating blood. To me it's a great community service opportunity. I'm O positive, so the Red Cross is always calling me and asking me to donate...unfortunately the last couple of times my iron levels haven't been high enough :(

Here's a tip for you all: Donate on the holidays when the need is pressing...and you get a neat pin from the Red Cross! My friend has every pin for every holiday. Very cool.

Wish I could. I donated a few years ago and fainted twice before I left. The whole ordeal took me two freaking hours! I'm not sure what was up with my body, but maybe its just not set up for that. Guess I should ask my doctor. In any case, once I was up and clear headed, I felt like I had done something great. I found the part about 'guys' from Bent above to be interesting. I'd like to read up on that.

Here's the link I found after a quick search on Google:
http://www.physicians-background.com/blood.html

Oh, here are some LINKS to studies and whatnot

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0901072035.htm

http://www.physicians-background.com/blood.html

One time a blood bank came to my work. They set up these really cool chairs that would flip you flat on your back in a second if you felt faint. While I was waiting to donate a nurse checked on a co-worker by asking how he was doing. He didnt' reply. She waved her hand in front of his face and said 'Yup, he's gone.' She tilted him back and a few minutes later he was fine. He fainted with his eyes wide open! It was hilarious.

Donating blood is very important and it feels good to know you are saving up to 3 lives for every pint you give.

It's not a pleasant experience, but it really shows you have a heart of gold.

Did it on Sunday. It's not that much fun, but it's very important to do.

Good on you for all the people that are giving blood. Esp. with all teh shortages lately. Congrats to you all. I, unfortunatly cannot give blood in canada because of living in england.
Good on all of you though, i think that it's great

Donating blood will not compromise your immune system in any way.

Some people do feel faint afterwards because of the loss of blood volume; the body re-equilibrates rapidly however so it's a short lived problem.

I used to give blood all the time before I had my Children. After the kids were born, I passed out twice giving blood...So I stopped...But I agree, it is a great thing to do.

I have been donating since I was 18. My mother has a rare type so I was always taking her in. They used to pay $10 buck back then. Considering what they are charging the patient that gets it. They should be paying donors something.

i'd like to greatly encourage people to donate blood as often as possible. i wish i could donate but my blood is far from prized.

its a very, very noble thing to do...

I selute you!
giving blood is a noble thing to do.
But personally i am a bit of a coward, my high school just had a blood drive, and i kinda chickened out.
I kinda feel bad

I agree, it's a great thing to do. I however, can't do it because i pass out after getting a vial or two drawn for a CBC or sugar workup. Bad stuff.

My girlfriend has an odd blood type and used to get pestered to donate all the time, so she would. The problem is that now she has so much scar tissue around her veins from poorly trained phlebotomists that it's impossible for her get an IV in either of her arms. Seeing her have to get one in her jugular when she had kidney stones did it for me. (Not to mention the itemized bill from the ER for the NINE iv needle/cath kits they used when attempting to start it in her arm)

If you are capable, support your fellow man - but don't be afraid to say no either.

Yeah, giving blood is a good thing to do. I donate when I can. I always get queasy beofre they sitck that needle in me, though.

nope. can't do it.

first and foremost, i get sick when i hafta give tiny vials... no fucking way i'm giving a whole damn bag

secondly, even if i wanted to i couldn't. my lovely ex-wife gave me something that disqualifies me. o-well.

I used to donate plasma twice a week in San Diego, but it was for profit.

i couldnt donate this year, but the past 2 years i have, i thought it was gonna b bad, but it's not, as long as the technition is good u wont have anything but a tiny bruise. was gonna donate plasma but couldnt cause i have small vein.

pretty intense head rush is kinda fun aftewards lol

I'm bumping this up again because of all the new members. I donated again a few days ago. And dammit, I feel really good about it. Its now my 3rd time donating I believe, and will continue to donate whenever possible.

Its such a simple thing to do. I wonder why more people don't do it. "Oh, well, Im DEATHLY afraid of needles." SO what? Overcome a second or two of slight pain, and potentionally save lives. It's that simple folks.

Donate today.

I'm O negative (both parents also O negative) and have never donated.

Please don't hurt me, I've just been too lazy to go when I hear about a new blood drive. I promise to go next time and save somebody's life. :)