I'm thinking about starting this and am just wondering if anyone here does it. :-/

Nope, never have, Mel. I used to donate blood regularly - until I had so many meds in me that they didn't want it anymore. Guess I'm damaged goods.

Oh well - if they can't use my blood, I certainly can.

I can't, blood is *tainted*  ;D.

deltadarlin wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2009 at 8:42am:

I can't, blood is *tainted*  ;D.

I have a Soft Cell song going through my head right now.

Well, I used to be on meds, but not anymore, only vitamins.  I checked their website but couldn't find out anything about vitamins being a negative, so I guess I should just go there in person and do the paperwork and testing.

Only thing that concerns me is my history of depression/anxiety.  I would think it would only be a negative due to meds? :-/

Or diseases you may have had (i.e., tuberculosis, etc.). I'm just guessing, though.

Mell,

When I was in college, living off grants and loans and child support...I supplimented my income donating plasma.  If it weren't for the RC seeds at this time....well... ;)

Dylan donates right now to suppliment his income as well.  As long as you are well hydrated, and you iromn levels are stable and not on meds, you should be fine.

edit:typo

Well, I printed off their page with hours and the phone number.  If I get up the courage, I'll make an appt. for next week when Jesse is home (maybe I can get him to come with me since I'm a little scared).  

A couple of good things about it, is they have a supervised childrens playroom AND wifi. :)

If you've ever donated blood, it's pretty much the same thing.  If cammomile helps to calm your nerves, a cup of tea before donation will be good on two fronts, calm the nerves and help hydrate.

Sometimes they play games with the folks donating.  One time while there, Dyl said they had a guess the number of rubber bands on the tray for some prizes.  

There is also a juice machine (like at hotels) to grab a nice drink on your way out when you are done.

It's a pretty neat process, actually... They run your blood through a little centrifuge while you are having it pumped out to take out just what they need... the rest you get back.  You lose less this way.
I was giving blood before CH - when I was feeling well on a regular basis.  I have a pretty rare type.  Damn it all.  HA I would do it again in a heartbeat!  Plasma donation takes a few more minutes to give than a regular whole blood donation, but is well worth it in my opinion!   ;)  Not enough people out there who Can give DO!     ;D

Val

I used to donate blood pretty regularly until ch showed up in my life.  The Red Cross stills calls me whenever there is a blood drive.  I need to start donating again.  Next time I'm there, I'll ask about donating plasma.

BTW....Where I live, a local church is the best place to donate.  They have a kitchen and serve sloppy joes and kool aide.  :)

Beth

I'm not allowed to donate because I am a mad cow.

At least, that's what they think since I lived in the UK during the offending time period.  

Maybe they are right.

Moo.

Moo, damnit.  <== mad cow

LOL Shawn!

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More of a too happy cow here........

Charlie

What about scrapies, Baahh
spongiform encephalopathies
Shit Is that a sheep shearer heading my way
You toucha ma fleece ah breaka your face
Pecorino Romano, he only wants my teets.
Blood donation? i'm a bit of a coward.....

deltadarlin wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2009 at 8:42am:

I can't, blood is *tainted*  ;D.

Mine is too ... Or at least so they say ... Cuz ...

<Looks around to see who might be peaking>

I am a male ... that ...

<Looks around to make sure we're alone>

<whispering>

Has had sex with a male ...

You won't tell anyone, will you?

I used to donate blood but can't anymore for several reasons,

The illnesses I've had
The fact I'm anaemic out the wazoo and ironically -
I've had blood transfusions.

Once you've had a transfusion you can't donate again - kind of all wrong huh?

In my time donating I gave at least 27 pints, I had a silver award for 25 donations and I have had more than I've given now and thanks to their rules, I can't ever give back to someone else.

I'm totally petrified of needles, but being the kind of person I am, I decided to stop being such a chicken and go give blood (I'm all for facing fears!).

The first time I went, I'd explained my extreme fear (sweaty plams sitting here talking about it) so they said that a nurse would sit and talk to me all through it to keep my mind off it. About 5 mins in, the nurse looks at the bag and calls another nurse over. They start asking me how I feel - I'm fine thanks, I reply. 'Ok' says the nurse 'if you start to feel funny at all, tell us straight away'. About 5 mins later, my elbow starts to tingle. Before I could even ask if that was normal, they'd whipped the needle out and bandaged me up. I had to lay there for 45 mins before I'd got up. They collected enough blood for a kitten. I was so disappointed. The next day, I wake up and my arm is black from my wrist to past my elbow. The nurse had gone through my vein and blood had leaked into my elbow. I had to wear a sling for 3 days.

BUT, I wasn't going to let that put me off. A year later, I went back, determined to have another go. I explained what happened last year, so they are extra careful with me. I get through it and a whole bag is collected! Hooray!! I have my 2 biscuits and cup of tea after and start heading back for work. As I walk up the stairs to my 2nd floor desk, I start to feel really out of breath. Man, I need to get back to the gym, I think to myself. I get to my desk, have a drink and start to feel a bit funny. At this time, Stephen and I didn't work together, but his desk was very near mine. He came over to say I didn't look so well. All of a sudden, I had the overwhelming urge to be sick, so I ran out of the office. As I reached to doors out to the corridor, it all went black.

When I came round, there were about 10 people all standing over me. I had passed out in the lift lobby outside my company's reception desk. My boss was there with visitors I was due to be meeting in 5 mins and introduced them to me whilst I was lying on the floor! Thank god Stephen had run after me because he caught me as I fainted, so I'd probably have had a nice bump on the head as well.

After a check up from the blood people, they told me maybe I shouldn't give blood anymore.  :(

Giving Plasma is not as taxing on the body as is giving blood because they put most of it back in you.  It is a little bit longer process, and those of us who cannot give blood can often give plasma.  it is worth checking out, and you can give more often, and can get paid for it.  Doesn't make sense, does it?

Melly,

If you'd be more comfortable to have someone with you, I'd be happy to meet up with you and we can "do lunch" after.  

I was a blood and plasma donor for many years and they eventually sent me a certificate saying I was a humanitarian. I gave it back though because, while I'm a carnivore, I've never eaten a human I'm admitting to.

and here comes the reply from Chuck...

Shawn wrote on Apr 28^th, 2009 at 9:44pm:

and here comes the reply from Chuck...

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

  [smiley=wtf.gif]
:-?



;D  Thanks all for your input!  I'm going to wait a bit before making my appointment as the next 2 weeks are just insane.  I'll let you know how it goes though and whether or not they accept me!

Pegg, thanks for the offer, but I'll be alright.  Jesse will be going with me (I'm also going to try and get him to give too ;))

AussieBrian wrote on Apr 28^th, 2009 at 8:35pm:

I've never eaten a human I'm admitting to.

Welllllll .... ummmmm ... errrrrrrrr ... How do I politely put this?

I DO have to take Melly's innocence into account ... soooooo ...

I guess the best way, is THIS way ....   :-X