Who Here Donates Blood?

Gypsy In The Palace · Post by **Gypsy In The Palace** » August 16, 2004 1:22 am

I have always wanted to donate blood. I think it's a great way to give back to the community. But, I never have because I have a problem: Every time that I have ever had blood drawn at the doctor, I turn white, the room starts spinning, and I start feeling light headed and nauseated. I have never passed out, but I have come very close a couple of times. I always reasoned that if I had such a hard time with the small amount that they take at the doctor, than I would really have trouble with a pint.

I always feel so guilty whenever there is a blood drive going on, and I walk past it. I want to help, but I just can't make myself go through that given my history with blood draws. Anyone else here have a similar experience?

creeky · Post by **creeky** » August 16, 2004 1:24 am

I havent - I suffer extreme trauma with needles of any sort .....

We have a bus from the blood bank that regularly comes to our office to pick people up and take them up to donate - I just cannot bring myself to do it - and particularly go through the whole panic process in front of people that work for me ......

It is important that you donate blood if you can - I suffer many guilty feelings from it - but ... well - I have yet to be able to commit to go ...

PARROT HEAD MIKE · Post by **PARROT HEAD MIKE** » August 16, 2004 1:55 am

creeky wrote:I havent - I suffer extreme trauma with needles of any sort .....

We have a bus from the blood bank that regularly comes to our office to pick people up and take them up to donate - I just cannot bring myself to do it - and particularly go through the whole panic process in front of people that work for me ......

It is important that you donate blood if you can - I suffer many guilty feelings from it - but ... well - I have yet to be able to commit to go ...

Pilots can not give blood, it is a violation of the FAA FAR's. It affects how oxygen is transported throughout the body. So no I don't give blood. Sorry I would if I could.

Sidew13 · Post by **Sidew13** » August 16, 2004 5:24 am

I us eto give blood all the time. But now due to blood sugar, they say NO

The_Polly_Roger · Post by **The_Polly_Roger** » August 16, 2004 5:28 am

I used to do it to get out of class in high school until "the incident" . . .

I've only donated three times since:

Once in college (which didn't turn out good either)

Once again to help find a bone marrow match for a coworker's wife who had Leukemia.

Lastly when my cousin needed blood for an operation and I was one of the few O positives in the family.

I have a HUGE needle phobia and the needle for donating blood is pretty HUGE

I am working on overcoming this fear of mine and one of these days when the blood wagon comes by the office again I may just do it. (Too bad they don't let you drink a little "liquid courage" first)

BTW Back in High School we used to go out drinking the night after giving blood (cheap buzz

)

Buffett4ever · Post by **Buffett4ever** » August 16, 2004 6:25 am

I donate. I haven't lately because of a busy schedule but I think I am up to around 2 gallons.

tommcat327 · Post by **tommcat327** » August 16, 2004 7:11 am

i did once and almost passed out playing hockey that night so i dont anymore.

semitruths · Post by **semitruths** » August 16, 2004 7:23 am

I have a doctor's note that says I don't have to ..

Actually ... I had Hepititus when I was a child. I don't recall which strain but I am told by the medical people that I shouldn't give blood and a couple times when I did try they said no. I do think it is a necessary thing to do if you can. Many people can benefit from it.

magnus · Post by **magnus** » August 16, 2004 7:25 am

For those who haven't tried donating because of their needle phobia, give it a chance once. It's actually less traumatic than having blood drawn at a doctor's office. I organize the blood drives here at work. The way the Red Cross sets you up, you don't see the needle or blood unless you really try. And if you tell the nurse you have a thing with needles, they'll do a couple little things to make it easier on you.

One pint of blood can be broken down into it's components - platelettes, plasma and blood cells. So up to 3 people can be helped by your one donation. Give blood and give the gift of life.

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » August 16, 2004 8:32 am

magnus wrote:For those who haven't tried donating because of their needle phobia, give it a chance once. It's actually less traumatic than having blood drawn at a doctor's office. I organize the blood drives here at work. The way the Red Cross sets you up, you don't see the needle or blood unless you really try. And if you tell the nurse you have a thing with needles, they'll do a couple little things to make it easier on you.

One pint of blood can be broken down into it's components - platelettes, plasma and blood cells. So up to 3 people can be helped by your one donation. Give blood and give the gift of life.

what magnus said....

I haven't donated in a while... time to set up an appt.

PHAW Webmistress · Post by **PHAW Webmistress** » August 16, 2004 8:46 am

***raising hand****

For those going to MOTM - there's a blood drive every year. Have a mimosa/bloodymary (just one LOL) and breakfast and off you go!

margaritamyers · Post by **margaritamyers** » August 16, 2004 8:48 am

I give, And for me I consider the pain of the needle (more like a pinch) worth it!

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » August 16, 2004 9:16 am

Question - I've been told that people with tattoos cannot give blood. Is there any truth to this?

PHAW Webmistress · Post by **PHAW Webmistress** » August 16, 2004 9:20 am

rednekkPH wrote:Question - I've been told that people with tattoos cannot give blood. Is there any truth to this?

yes and no..............you can't give blood within 6 mos to a year (I forget which

) of getting the tatoo. But you can after that. When I got my tatoo 3 years ago, we gave blood first at MOTM then drove up A1A to Paradise Tatoo

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » August 16, 2004 9:28 am

PHAW Webmistress wrote:
rednekkPH wrote:Question - I've been told that people with tattoos cannot give blood. Is there any truth to this?
yes and no..............you can't give blood within 6 mos to a year (I forget which ) of getting the tatoo. But you can after that. When I got my tatoo 3 years ago, we gave blood first at MOTM then drove up A1A to Paradise Tatoo

Thanks PHAW - That kinda keeps me out, I don't think I've gone a year without ink since high school.

PHAW Webmistress · Post by **PHAW Webmistress** » August 16, 2004 9:36 am

rednekkPH wrote:
PHAW Webmistress wrote:
rednekkPH wrote:Question - I've been told that people with tattoos cannot give blood. Is there any truth to this?
yes and no..............you can't give blood within 6 mos to a year (I forget which ) of getting the tatoo. But you can after that. When I got my tatoo 3 years ago, we gave blood first at MOTM then drove up A1A to Paradise Tatoo
Thanks PHAW - That kinda keeps me out, I don't think I've gone a year without ink since high school.

you're gonna run out of body soon

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » August 16, 2004 10:05 am

PHAW Webmistress wrote: you're gonna run out of body soon

Nah, that's not an issue, I got LOTS of body

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » August 16, 2004 10:09 am

OOO ! OOO! I do! Ido!
For those who have tried but can't, you still get "two thumbs up" just for tyring!

I give evertime I become eligible. Since 9/11, I schedule my appointment to coincide w/ the anniversary. Somehow that helps me in a weird way.

Something cool they told me a few "times" ago is that, because of having chicken pox as a child, my blood is used for babies in our area. That makes me feel even better about it.

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » August 16, 2004 10:20 am

I started donating blood about 20 years ago, I used to do it 2 or 3 times a year. Now we have 4 blood drives in my office every year and I donate at all of them. I also donate platelets at my local blood bank on LI once a month.

tommcat327 · Post by **tommcat327** » August 16, 2004 10:30 am

LIPH wrote:I started donating blood about 20 years ago, I used to do it 2 or 3 times a year. Now we have 4 blood drives in my office every year and I donate at all of them. I also donate platelets at my local blood bank on LI once a month.

DO THEY KNOW IT'S FROM A LAWYER?