Will you donate?

[erosman]

what are the blood donor policies on those with malaria?

I cannot donate because of a malaria history. They also ask if you have lived in certain countries. I lived in one of those 'forbidden', African countries and it invalidates any donation from me.

I hate needles too, but I would give if they would receive.

 

[Camille]

I just did! But I just read that all the blood collected because of 9-11 was destroyed. It was just too much and the blood only last 72 days or less.

Cam

 

[Cheyenne]

I just did! But I just read that all the blood collected because of 9-11 was destroyed. It was just too much and the blood only last 72 days or less.

Cam

I'd reword that a bit to say some % of blood collected immediately after 9/11 had to be destroyed. Certainly not all of it.
There were several articles criticizing the Red Cross for encouraging donations that they should have known could not be used. I'm inclined to cut them slack on the topic, although I agree they should have stopped soliciting quite as hard once we knew there were few survivors from the WTC. Many people felt better being able to "do something" like give blood after the 9/11 attacks. That is worth something. Hopefully some of those new donors will return and become regular donors, too.

 

[Guest]

 

[Teen]

Donating blood is an easy feat. Just lie on the chair and squeeze.

Almost painless.

 

[April]

Travelers who spent time in other parts of Europe are not currently restricted from giving blood, but in September, anyone who spent six months or more there will be barred.

That would be me. And if I give blood on base, it is in the military supply only, so of not that much use. And still banned anyway.

 

[NorthernDude]

My input

Following 9/11 I tried to give blood...but they turned me away because I had a bruise under my eye where I was hit by a line drive in softball. I'm not sure why that kept me from giving blood...always thought that was wierd.

 

[Cheyenne]

Wow, a long forgotten memory. I was deferred from donating once back in my college days because the base of my thumb and my wrist were purple- bruised badly in a volleyball tournament I'd been talked into. I think most often they defer you more for your own good than for any potential problems with the blood. They have defined ranges for temperature, blood pressure, pulse, blood count (anemia has deferred me a couple times now), weight, etc. If you aren't in the defined range of something, they defer you for your own good.

 

[Debbie]

Eh??? I donate 4 times a year, but get tattoed twice monthly...

They can't miss my tatts when I donate but I have never been asked about them.

Last time I went I got asked if I had a tattoo recently. I said yes and so she said due to the possiblility of hepatitis the new restrictions were to wait a year before donating. I was surprised too. The guy who did my tattoo was a friend and he has a tattoo parlour and is really strict on hygiene. Always using new needles.

 

[Debbie]

There was a form I had to fill out. It had stuff on it like have you been out of the country, do you use drugs, etc Could It be because of the region I live in?

 

[u2slow13]

didn't that have something to do with the hoof/mouth thing they had going on over there this year?

 

[Georgia Girl]

Yes from me...

I donate blood every 8 weeks and platelets inbetween.

I too am not fond of needles but to me it is one small thing that I can do to help someone else, at some time that person in need may be me or someone I love and I only hope there is someone like me out there to help.

For those of you who have never donated platelets you should consider it. It is time consuming (close to 2 hours) and requires needles in both arms, one for blood going in, one for blood going out. Your blood is removed and filtered for the platelets and then returned to your body - it only takes you a matter of days to replace them. There is as great a need for platelets as blood and it takes 7 pints of blood to make a pint of platelets.

I got used to the needles because I am epileptic and have to have blood drawn every 6 weeks to check the levels of my medication.

Happy Holidays!
Dawn