Blood Donations

I think dontating blood is great; just in my area they never come to us. And if they do I'm at school so I can't go.

I would give blood if I could, but because I live in the middle of nowhere it's quite difficult to do. :(

I kind of want to, but I'm really, really, afraid. What is it like compared to getting bloodwork done? I can handle bloodwork for the most part, even though I REALLY hate needles. What does it feel like?

When I had scarlet fever, I had to get like, 5 shots and an IV, and a blood test, I was nearly unconscious because of the scarlet fever to begin with, go the shots were no problem. Then, the blood test. It took them 4 tries to get it in. Thankfully, they didn't have to take the needle out to give me the IV.

I hate the feeling of IV's. It feels so weird going through the bloodstream.

I faint when I get any type of shots, blood tests, or IV. Butterfly needles are my best friend.

At my little sister's Girl Scout's picnic, they had a blood donation truck. I asked my father if I could donate, but the old man working there was like "YOU HAVE TO BE 17"
He actually like shouted.
My dad was like "She's almost, sir, in three days, and besides I give permission."
Anyways the old guy said no.
I realize rules are rules, but you don't have to be sassy if I want to donate blood.

^That's so dumb, I would've screamed.

The people at the Red Cross sound so heartbroken when you tell them how badly you want to donate, but can't because of your age. They just want to hug you and make a calendar date for when you can. :tehe:

I just got back from the blood drive.

What would be a religious reason not to donate? :/
I am also O+ and I haven't donated - yet. I'm pretty sure I will soon, because as you said, it can be given to anyone
I've been prodded with too many injections and IV's that the process of donating won't even bother me anymore.

^ As far as I know, Jehova's Witnesses believe that God gives you only what you have and because of that, you shouldn't take any blood out of your body willingly (or, on the other side, have any put in).

I randomly stumbled on this forum and thought I'd add my two pence. I just donated at my university. Each year around this time, the Red Cross comes around all over the state before the "Civil War," the huge football game against our biggest rivals. There is a competition for which side can donate the most blood. You vote for your team when you donate. It's a great idea for a great cause.

To the person asking/commenting about the gauge of the needle to donate blood/plasma - the needle for donating blood (normal pint) is either an 18 or 16 gauge. Big but not bad so long as you don't move your arm.

I've given and gotten it

I just signed up for the NHS Donor Register and booked an appointment to donate blood.

I've always wanted to donate my everything's, whether I'm dead or not!

I think I'm saving my kidneys for ma familia though. My mum says my sister had a little bit of kidney trouble when she was a babby, so I'm saving it speshally for her. And my mum and dad like a good drink, so I'm saving a couple lobes of my liver, just in case.

My mum said it was a lovely thing to do, signing up for all this. I didn't just do it 'cause it's a lovely thing to do. I also did it because as much as the human race bugs me, I'm not being selfish with my guts just 'cause the person on the other end isn't nice. I'm not that shallow.

I can't wait 'til Friday March 21st now.

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EDIT - I just found out you CAN donate blood on anti-depressants. I'm so happy (with that)!

I'm turning sixteen in October, so next school year I can start donating. The Red Cross comes to the high school about every other month.

My dad used to give blood regularly at work, but then he got cancer. I am proud to say that he's a survivor, but he hasn't given blood for a couple years because of it. Recently, he started donating again.

My blood type is AB+. I can receive any blood type, but only AB people can take my blood. According to the Red Cross website, AB blood is good for platelates, so I guess that's a good thing.

I'm not afraid of needles. I've had to do allergy shots for over two and a half years before I quit (it was making me sick). I'll take an IV, injection, etc, so I'm not afraid at all.

7 months and 5 days until I can donate! <3

At my school, as soon as you turn sixteen, you can donate blood without permission. I couldn't do it last year though, because I was on Isotane, and I couldn't do it this year, because you can't do it if you've 'participated in recreational activities' in the last six months.

-sad sigh-

^What do you mean recreational activities? I was rejected a few years ago when I was all hyped up and willing, because I practiced (protected) anal sex somewhere six months prior. I was like. Ok. And then my enthusiasm sort of dropped and I never got around to go there again.

I've donated, never received. I'm O-, which can be given to anyone, so the service call me up and beg me to come in. :)

I've donated once, probably won't ever again.
I fainted the first time, and I think that scared me....my iron is just too low to do it.

I'd like to, now that I'm old enough. But I'm frightened. How much blood do they normally take, and how long is the process?

A pint, and it usually doesn't take long, the actual needle-in-your-arm-sucking-out-blood part only takes about 10 or 15 minutes

I can't give blood, my iron levels are ridiculously low. =/

I signed up today to donate April 1st, but I'll have to load up on red meats so I can build my iron. I have anemia and they said I needed to eat iron effecient meals.