Do You Donate Blood?!

I really miss donating. I gave 4 gallons total over the years & developed anemia -- doc told me don't do it again.

But I have O-, didn't have the CMV antibodies & was called every 8 weeks.

Red Cross usually treated me so nice; such a good feeling overall....

Yes I have been a donor in the past. I've taken a break for quite awhile because I develped scar tissue in one arm because of it. Good for you doing a life saving thing...I think donating blood is awesome!

I do whenever I can. Sometimes it just impossible to fit into my schedule, but if time allows I always do. I'll even stop at a drive on my way home just because I have time that day. I am forever getting reminders from all over my area reminding me of drives. LOL

L.:

I used to. Then Mad Cow came out and I lived in Europe and traveled to Mexico....I've not donated in a few years.

My husband now donates. I should look into again!!

Cheryl

Wish I could, but I lived in England for a year during the height of the mad-cow scare. They won't take my blood anymore!

I wish I could. I used to donate all the time as a teen and young adult, but then I lived in Europe for more than a year during the 90s so I'm banned, along with anyone else who lived in Europe (due to the risk of Mad Cow). It kind of stinks!

I with Everley. I lived in Germany in the 80s and I am not a candidate to donate blood. I wonder where Europeans get their blood?

I do! My mom had a blood transfusion back in '85 that saved her life. My turn to give back. I have always brought my kids to watch so they can see mommy doing something important and that it doesn't hurt. Now my oldest is old enough to donate. I hope more people consider it!!!

I do not. I also have a rare blood type.

I am more than willing to donate but they do not accept me.

For some reason, my body has absorption issues which means I am always anemic. I also do not meet the weight requirements.

So for health reasons only, no I do not.

I used to, but I honestly don't think much about it anymore, as for a few years my iron was too low every time I tried to donate.

My mom donates ALL THE TIME, because she is type O- (universal donor)

Hi L.~

I have donated in the past but not for a long time. Yes, it was very easy on me. Only once was I refused because of low iron. They can find my vein easily and it's done quickly and I feel good knowing that I've helped someone else out.

So... thanks for the reminder! I need to get back on board and DONATE soon!

I'm so happy to hear that your son is doing fine now.
Take care,
J.

I do! I've been donating blood since I was 18 and have given 2 gallons in my life so far. I don't do it as often anymore, just since it can take a toll on my energy, but I still try to do it once or twice a year. One note though: The whole process takes an hour, not 15 minutes, (maybe it's different where you are). But you get some juice and cookies out of it!
*Oh and I was disallowed from giving blood for a while because of the amount of time I spent in Europe, but then they changed some things that made me eligible again. So for those of you that were disqualified, check back from time to time.
*Yes, I get calls from Red Cross volunteers, but I have never, ever had a problem telling them that I can't do it now and to call me back in 2 more months. I've never gotten a hard sell (or even a soft sell), they're always very nice and polite.

I DO!!! I'm actually scheduled to give blood in two weeks! I LOVE that they come to my office building...so much easier and convenient. It is a great feeling to know that someone is going to benefit...could have their life saved from it! My husband does it quite often as well...and has ever since his nephew was born 3 mo's premature...and he was a match for him. So his blood helped save his own nephew's life!!!

I've never been bothered by telemarketers!!! very odd!

Yep! I am a bit of a lazy bum though and LOVE it when they come to the office. Makes it so easy!!

I used to, but since living in Asia, they don't want my blood anymore! :(

Dawn

I have tried but they told me to give up. They have a hard time finding a vein and then I tend to flow slowly. My dad donates all the time and they are always calling him to see if he can come in. He has a universal blood type.

I sure do! I forget how many gallons I'm on now but I really like donating. They treat you like a GOD there and it's really not that big of a deal to me.

I persoanlly HATE the blood pressure taking part NOT the needle. I've donated so many times my left arm is all scarred up and now we're on the right arm. Not sure what happens after that arm is tapped out?

IF I play my cards right I try to go in on Saturday's when they have doughnuts from my FAVORITE bakery. Did ya know a pint of blood equals a POUND? Greatest/easiest weight loss EVER! LOL. :)

I never have due to anemia. I would in a heartbeat if I could though. I'm B-, so I know my blood would save others who are. It's sad.

I don't - for selfish reasons, I know.

I have difficult-to-find veins. I've had HORRIBLE, SCARRING experiences with having to have blood taken. I don't have a fear of it so much as I would just rather not deal with the experience if I don't have to. My blood also can be thick and flow really slowly.

I don't have a special blood type that would make it expecially important for me to donate - if I did, I might consider it.

I have given up on donating blood. I did it once successfully when I was in college and since then I've tried 3 times. I have very low blood pressure and I only weigh 110 lbs (sometimes less), which is the cut off to be able to give. I wish I could, esp since I'm O neg, but my body just won't have it.

I keep trying and keep getting turned away for slight anemia. Maybe my iron levels will get back to where they want them again soon!

No, I don't. My veins are hard to find and they have to use the top of my hands to draw blood or insert an IV. I intermittantly have low platelets also, making it slow to clot. I know they would love to have my blood as I have a rare type, but I was advised to not donate unless absolutely necessary.

If you can, though you should, I would if I could...

I feel like a horrible person for saying this but I have the worst phobia of needles and while I would LOVE to be able to do this I just cant. I suffer from OCD and anxiety attacks and even the thought of it makes me wonky. I always say that if they could just scoop it out of me as needed while I am asleep (I know gross thought) that I would be more than happy to do so but I cant bring myself to get into that chair while they poke me with a needle. I too am a very thin build so maybe they wouldnt even accept me anyway

I do, generally 4-5 times a year. Occasionally I get delayed if my iron is low, I generally check back in a month and it is fine. It is needed, quick and really easy.

I used to all the time, but they changed the amount of time spent in the UK from 6 months to 3 months and I was there for 4-5 months in 1988, so no more. Which bums me out cause I'm 0+ and I have blood that infants can use which not everyone has.

I am not sure if it is like this everywhere but after you give here they hound you by telephone to give, give, give. I attempted to give once and was unsuccessful but then I had to deal with their telemarketers for years despite my telling them to quit calling.

Recently I considered trying to give again but then decided it was not worth getting back into their system. I wonder if I could give without providing a phone number? Hmmm...

I wish I could, but they told me I don't meet the weight requirements :(