Have you given blood to help our troops?

[Romial]

I'm going to go this weekend to give blood again. Been a while since I've done it. Lifesource and the Red Cross really needs all the blood that they can get. So have you given blood yet to help the troops? If not, why not?!

 

[Gilly Bean]

Can't, I have low iron, which is really borderline anemic.


I've never in my life actually been able to donate blood.

 

[Annabelllee2003]

I would gladly give blood... They won't take mine though.

Was in Europe during the years that the quidelines says I can't.

Dammit.

 

[Ryaine]

Medical reasons.

 

[Azwed]

One time I tried I passed out.

I amost pass out when they take the little bit of blood for testing purposes.

Its not anemia or any kind of physical thing and at 225 lbs I have plenty of blood to give I just have this mental block when it comes to needles. I think a lot of people who were sick a lot as kids, and therefore had to get lots of shots and blood tests done, have this problem as adults.

I have managed to get over shots for the most part but drawing blood still does me in cause it takes longer.

 

[Feelin' Naughty]

You need an 'other' category. I give plasma twice a week!

 

[Calamity Jane]

I've never donated blood, but considering I had blood tests run the other day and I now look like a herion addict because my veins are so small, I doubt I'd be able to.

Question: How does it help the troops?

 

[Guest]

Yes I have given Blood

 

[Romial]

You need an 'other' category. I give plasma twice a week!

That's good.

But my question was just a yes or no question. hehe


Because of all the wounded that we have now and the wounded that will happen in the future. They need blood to replace all that they lose, Pagan.

 

[Guest]

My blood type is

A neg

 

[nasty1]

I don't weigh enough.

 

[Calamity Jane]

I understand the 'why'.

I know though, in times of crisis (floods, etc) when they have hospitals on begging for blood, it can actually do harm to the blood supply because people rush out and donate and there's a surplus that goes to waste.

I've heard from Red Cross volunteers that the best thing you can do is donate on a regular schedule and only do the 'panic donating' if you're a rare type, or 0-.

 

[Azwed]

That's good.

But my question was just a yes or no question. hehe


Because of all the wounded that we have now and the wounded that will happen in the future. They need blood to replace all that they lose, Pagan.

Any blood donated in the states is not really going to do any good in Iraq.

At the moment there is no technology to freeze blood so stockpiling blood is not an option. I forget exactly how long blood is viable once it has been donated but I think it is just a few weeks.

Anyone that is injurted in the field is going to get a field transfusion with whatever fluids the medic has avaliable and in an emergency a direct blood transfer from another solidier could be done.

Wouned that are taken back to a base to be treated are going to be surrouned by non-combat personal who can easily give blood.

If there are massive amounts of wounded or if the blood supply there is some how contaminated then maybe blood donated from the states will make it there.

The US actually does export a large amount of blood products. Many hemophiliacs in Japan were infected with AIDS during the 80's when Japan did not destroy imported blood products that were thought to be contaiminated.

So donating blood will probably make you feel better but I doubt any would get to Iraq.

You should still donate blood though since many people need it here too.

 

[Romial]

Interesting read Az...was just asking because I saw it on the news tonite that they need blood.


And pagan, me personally...I'd rather have a surplus of blood than not enough of it for everyone who needs it.

 

[Feelin' Naughty]

That's good.

But my question was just a yes or no question. hehe


Because of all the wounded that we have now and the wounded that will happen in the future. They need blood to replace all that they lose, Pagan.

Ok, then no. However, I was re-vaccinated for smallpox and they use my antibody filled plasma to make a serum so that the smallpox vac. is safer for the people that have to be vaccinated. Does that count? *grin*

 

[Romial]

Ok, then no. However, I was re-vaccinated for smallpox and they use my antibody filled plasma to make a serum so that the smallpox vac. is safer for the people that have to be vaccinated. Does that count? *grin*

Counts very much so.

 

[Renegade]

Medical reasons.

Ditto.

 

[Feelin' Naughty]

Counts very much so.

I hope so, I hope it helps.

 

[Azwed]

some info on blood donation.

http://www.webhealthcentre.com/bloodbanks/BBabout.asp#whathappens

http://seniorhealth.about.com/library/prevention/bl_blood_shortage.htm?terms=Facts+Of+Blood+Donation

from the second site.

Donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection. Platelets within 5 days. Plasma can be frozen for up to 1 year

Plasama is a very good thing to donate since it can be perserved for such a longer period of time and you can donate plasma much more often.

 

[Guest]

No-medical reasons

 

[Lost Cause]

Nope.....Plasma donor..

I donated blood on 9-11, they couldn't keep all the donations, so they THREW THEM OUT! Fuck 'em.

http://www.redcross.org/

 

[Sillyman]

My blood is poisonous. Sorry.

 

[snake1500]

...Have given blood several times, but rules say no, until the new tattoo is a year old. Kinda tuff workin' it in around my ink, lol....


...Ride safe, and always take the long way home....

 

[Lilone814]

Yes I did...
Wasn't too bad. I guess I was lucky that the Airman sticking me didn't take a piece of me with her