Originally Posted By lesmisfan i use to give blood on a regular basis but i have not given blood in about a year sadley. Everytime i can go to one something always comes up and i am unable to go and give blood. but im still trying.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I give blood regularly. I am a double donor which means that they take two pints for the red blood cells and replace it with something else. I'm afraid to ask what. I can only donate a few times a year but I try to do it when I can. They love to see me coming with my high iron count. Almost makes them giddy. I hate needles but it seems like a necessary and small thing compared to the need.
Originally Posted By bloona I am the same, I have an high iron count, I even dd when I was pregnant. I did have a craving for oranges though, which helps. I nearly fainted the first time I went, that was amusing...lol....felt a bit silly laid on the floor with a wet towel on my head. I have a huge promonent vein on my left arm which always scares them when they check me afterwards. Oh, another time I went (is this tales from the blood bank time?) She was so busy talking about eating her meal the night before, as she changed the vile that the blood goes into, she did it wrong and it spurted all over me...nice.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo I used to donate more, now just a few times a year, and platelets about once a year. I should do that more often. I have made it a habit to donate on or around September 11. Just my own little gesture.
Originally Posted By LuLu I've never given blood. I've never even thought to do it, as I've had such problems just having blood drawn for testing - the technicians seem to have a terrible time just getting the needle in my vein! Many years ago, I had several vials of blood drawn and fainted, so I assumed I couldn't give blood. But my health has come a long way since those days! For those with high iron - I've read it's very good for you to give blood. Too-high iron levels are very unhealthy, and giving blood will help lower your iron to a safer level.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>For those with high iron - I've read it's very good for you to give blood. Too-high iron levels are very unhealthy, and giving blood will help lower your iron to a safer level.<<< That is true. Amazingly, I feel better after they drain me than before. More energy and less sluggish. I don't do it for that reason but it is a very pleasant side effect.
Originally Posted By tink2680 I don't donate because I have really small veins and it's really hard to even get enough blood to run a test let alone donate a pint. I always tell the nurses that if they can get some blood out of me in less than three tries than they are really really good....that hardly every happens. The last time I had blood drawn they used a syringe to suck it out...lol.
Originally Posted By DAR Those of you who donated blood thank you. My dad had to get a transfusion this morning, he's anemic, but I really thank you.
Originally Posted By Labuda I'm feeling a bit bummed right now - still coughing up a storm, and I THINK this is just allergies, but I won't be able to see my doctor until Thursday since he's out of the office on Wednesdays. Darn him to heck! Anyhow, once I figure out for sure if this is jsut allergies or is something else, then I'll make my decision as to whether I can head a couple miles north to give blood or will wait until another week or two from now to go give.
Originally Posted By Labuda Oh, and major kudos to whoever gave the blood that your father got today, DAR! p.s. I love watching the needle go in and the first bit of blood shooting out - man, that looks SOOO cool! Especially when I see the needle break my skin. Wow!
Originally Posted By peeaanuut also, another thing I like to look for is blood drives. Giving at the Red Cross office is cool, but actually hitting up a blood drive is so much better. IMO
Originally Posted By Labuda ^^^ Stupid Dell always has their blood drives about a week befroe I'm due, so I always just go to the office - only a couple more miles north of work and they're open late on Wednesdays...
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I just emailed to our bank president's executive assistant to ask if we ever have blood drives here. I have such a hard time carving out time and getting to our local vampire facility to donate. But if we had a drive here I could make sure to eat a good breakfast day of and have them take there pint.
Originally Posted By MissCandice I appreciate anyone who has donated blood. I used to years ago but they won't let me donate anymore. I guess when you've had leukemia (cancer of the blood) twice they don't want your blood.
Originally Posted By beamerdog For tink and others who have small veins: ask to have them use a pediatric size needle and shunt. My veins are easy to find, but using the larger needle just doesn't work and they end up having to stick me multiple times. (I have to have blood tests often.)
