Why don't you donate blood?

I used to give blood as much as I could, then one time, 6 years ago or so, I had a really, really bad experience. I was fine donating, but a few minutes after, while i was sitting there drinking my juice and eating my cookies, I passed out hard, and for a good 5 minutes. I remember, while I was passed out, thinking I was dead because I couldn't breath. I could hear people around me talking, but I couldn't speak and I couldn't breath. It went on for what seemed like a really long time, but I finally came around.

And when I did, I started vomiting violently and pretty much non-stop for the next hour. It was awesome. I haven't donated since.

Not eligible:  melanoma.    Wish I could still give.  We O-negs need to look out for each other.

I do it for the free cookies and juice!  What better reason! I hold my office record for the fastest pint (Hey, it's something.). I'll arrange my training to make sure that if I've already trained that day and I will probably take the next day lightly (maybe just a swim).

Last time, the nurse said that I'm a beginner nurse's dreams because the good veins in my arms are so easy to find.

'Cause I'm a huge wimp! I really want to donate. I really, really do! I'm not afraid of being stuck but I know with 100% certainty that I can't watch myself being stuck. I passed out in college during an allergy test. The nurse was going to do four shots on the inside of each forearm using large bore angled tip needles designed to go between the layers of skin so they can test the reaction. I watched as she got through one arm and was about to start another when things got hazy. This happened again when I was having a test to check my kidneys (IPV?) and the radiologist shot right through the big fat vein in my arm and filled up my elbow with whatever contrast solution they use. I was lying flat that time and still nearly passed out!

I really want to donate 'cause its the right thing to do but I'm just a tad gun shy...  

Tom, just don't watch!  Close your eyes, or find something fascinating to stare out on the other side of the room, but under NO circumstances should the squeamish actually see the process happen.  When I COULD donate, I just turned my head away.

And I always gave them my right (dominant) arm, because they once had trouble finding the veins in my left.  Right, no problem.

And I was the SLOWEST donor ever - small veins, low blood pressure, I don't know what it was.  They would complain about the eternity it took me to fill a pint.  While not looking.

The only time I ever came close to passing out, i hadn't eaten enough prior.  Eat a burrito, donate... and don't look!

I am gay...they won't take my blood

But when I worked for the YMCA I started organizing blood drives with the American Red Cross...

The last time I gave blood I had a bruise bigger than my palm that travelled up and down my arm from low bicep to mid-forearm. Lasted for weeks, and turned every color a bruise can turn. Since it was summer, I couldn't wear sleeves all the time to cover it and spent weeks answering questions from strangers on what kind of gangrene I had. Then they would inflict their blood-giving/misc. medical/unrelated neighbor's bruise stories on me.

Give me a good phlebotomist and I would be happy to give again. No more hack attacks though.

And I HAVE to watch. LOL!