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Why don't you donate blood?
OptionResults
Afraid of needles4 Votes - [6.56%]
Don't want it to interfere with training/race performance11 Votes - [18.03%]
Not eligible23 Votes - [37.7%]
Don't have time0 Votes - [0%]
Not interested3 Votes - [4.92%]
Body won't share!1 Votes - [1.64%]
let's cut through the BS, I'm lazy.8 Votes - [13.11%]
I do it for the free cookies and juice!3 Votes - [4.92%]
My doctor tells me i shouldn't.1 Votes - [1.64%]
Gulf War Vet - I voluntarily abstain1 Votes - [1.64%]
Too young1 Votes - [1.64%]
They provide me with decent porn while taking my blood.1 Votes - [1.64%]
Its my blood, dammit.1 Votes - [1.64%]
I pass out everytime I try1 Votes - [1.64%]
But, I do donate...2 Votes - [3.28%]

2007-06-18 1:32 PM
in reply to: #848376

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.


2007-06-18 1:42 PM
in reply to: #848291

Champion
6931
5000100050010010010010025
Bellingham, Washington
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

Lived in Germany for 3 years back in the 80s....And they said I could have Mad Cow disease.....MMmmmooooooo.

Haven't gone back to check if that has changed.   Than I would

2007-06-18 2:06 PM
in reply to: #848291

Master
1219
1000100100
Sachse
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
I give as much as possible. I haven't done plasma in a while, though......

Kenny
2007-06-18 2:25 PM
in reply to: #848291

Master
2808
2000500100100100
, Minnesota
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
Interferes with training. I hate to take a few days out of training to recover.
2007-06-18 4:08 PM
in reply to: #848588

Master
2346
200010010010025
Dayton, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

Tom! I can totally relate! This used to be me too, really. In high school, I passed out during a stupid TB test, for crying out loud! Ended up in the ER because I hit my head so hard on the floor. How embarrassing!

But, I'm a big girl now! When I was about 25, I said enough was enough and I was going to get over the whole stupid needle thing. I was tired of getting all worked up at the mere thought of a needle even being near me. In fact, one of the reasons I didn't have any drugs when my daughters were born was because I couldn't stand the thought of having an IV in me. How ridiculous is that??? lol

So I made myself go and donate blood. And I didn't watch the needle. I told them what the deal was so that they knew that I'm one of the ones to watch. And I didn't pass out!! My heart rate was through the roof, but I didn't pass out. Then I went back a couple months later, and then a gain a few months after that. Each time it got easier, honest. Now I'm a regular apheresis donor, which requires having a needle in *both* arms for about 2 hours. And I'm an old pro at it!

You can do it, Tom! I have faith in you!

2007-06-18 4:15 PM
in reply to: #848291

Master
2346
200010010010025
Dayton, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

I can't donate right now because I travelled to the Philippines last September and went outside the city of Manila for an afternoon. Little did I know at the time it would knock me off the list for a year.

When I'm eligible again, though, I'll be right back at it. I encourage anyone who is worried about an impact on training to try apheresis donation. It's more involved (usually two needles, but it can be only one) and takes more time, but since it's not whole blood donation, the recovery is much quicker. I am usually tired for the day I donate, but am totally fine by the next day.

http://www.utmb.edu/bb/Infomation%20for%20Donors/ApheresisFAQ.htm#1



2007-06-18 5:17 PM
in reply to: #848291

Champion
7036
5000200025
Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

I'm not eligible to give any more because I've been on Coumadin anticoagulant since my heart surgery to get my mechanical aortic valve.

Mark

2007-06-18 6:43 PM
in reply to: #848291

Coach
9167
5000200020001002525
Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
I go to HOnduras every 6 months and there is a waiting period so that I don't accidentally donate malaria. Plus i passed out a few times while giving blood.
2007-06-18 7:19 PM
in reply to: #848291

Expert
692
500100252525
Boca Raton, FL
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

i used to be one of those  that hated needles..couldn't even stand getting novicane at the dentist, so I didn't and dealt with the drill...but I forced myself to get over it and donate...I just don't look until it's all over.  I donate every 2 months...but i never realized i should take it easy with my training.  I donated on Thursday nad raced Sunday..hmm..live and learn

2007-06-18 7:30 PM
in reply to: #848291

Master
2287
2000100100252525
Calgary, Alberta
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

I used to donate fairly regularily.  Then a number of years ago I got notified that one of my donations tested false - positive which means that on the first test they thought I had some infection but the second test showed that I did not.  Regardless - The Canadian Blood Services system decided false - positives are no longer eligible to donate.

Unfortunately, a test result of "false-reactive" or "false positive" is an indefinite deferral at this time. The tests we use to screen blood are highly sensitive and are designed to detect donations with even the smallest levels of infection. However, because the tests are so sensitive, in some cases they react non-specifically with proteins in people's blood and the result comes up "reactive" (positive). When we then confirm the test using a different, more specific assay that has different sensitivity levels, it will not confirm positive, and that is what we refer to as a "false reactive" or "false positive".

2007-06-18 9:31 PM
in reply to: #849175

Master
1573
10005002525
Red Sox Nation
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

Ten9T6 - 2007-06-18 3:06 PM I give as much as possible. I haven't done plasma in a while, though...... Kenny

I do plasma all the time.  BUT!  I have the best phlebotomist? sp.  Know nuthin, can't feel nuthin.

I can't watch.  Anything.  I have to be draped.  I can not watch any portion of a single or a double arm procedure.

I had no idea that blood donation affected people so ... .  And I'm B+ just in case summbuddy needs summtin'  ... .



2007-06-18 9:36 PM
in reply to: #849009

Expert
764
5001001002525
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
zenith65 - 2007-06-18 1:07 PM

Not eligible.  Lived in Europe during the great Mad Cow Disease scare and have to wait until 2009 before I am eligible again.  Kinda strange if you ask me...


I can't donate for the same reason (3 yrs in England, 2 in Turkey). Where did the 2009 come from? Are you in Canada? Do they have different rules? As far as I've read, the American Red Cross will never let me donate because of the CJD thing. :-(
2007-06-19 7:58 AM
in reply to: #848291

Extreme Veteran
367
1001001002525
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

I just got ink in January.  I think it's two years from a tat?  I should check, maybe it's just one.

I used to give blood every 6 months, Red Cross would come right to the office and set up in the conference room, so I didn't have an excuse.  Now there's not a lot of $$ for the setup, so they can't come anymore.  I could stop being a lazy whiner and go over to the center, but I haven't made the time in a while.

Jim, did they say why you had such a bad experience - especially after plenty of previous successful donations?

2007-06-19 7:59 AM
in reply to: #849823

Veteran
115
100
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

The old lady at the Red Cross told me that I had to wait ten years after returning before I could donate again.  (Was she just speculating????  Maybe.)  I guess if I haven't died in ten years then I must not have caught it. 

For all those who fear the needles, when donating, find the oldest grandma in the place and have her stick you.  She is the most experienced and can slip that thing into you without you even knowing.

2007-06-19 8:32 AM
in reply to: #850080

Expert
764
5001001002525
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
zenith65 - 2007-06-19 7:59 AM

The old lady at the Red Cross told me that I had to wait ten years after returning before I could donate again.  (Was she just speculating????  Maybe.)  I guess if I haven't died in ten years then I must not have caught it. 

For all those who fear the needles, when donating, find the oldest grandma in the place and have her stick you.  She is the most experienced and can slip that thing into you without you even knowing.



Here's what the Red Cross website says about it:

In-Depth Discussion of Variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease and Blood Donation

In some parts of the world, cattle can get an infectious, fatal brain disease called Mad Cow Disease. In these same locations, humans have started to get a new disease called variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (vCJD) which is also a fatal brain disease. Scientists believe that vCJD is Mad Cow Disease that has somehow transferred to humans, possibly through the food chain.

There is now evidence from a small number of case reports involving patients and laboratory animal studies that vCJD can be transmitted through transfusion. There is no test for vCJD in humans that could be used to screen blood donors and to protect the blood supply. This means that blood programs must take special precautions to keep vCJD out of the blood supply by avoiding collections from those who have been where this disease is found.

At this time, the American Red Cross donor eligibility rules related to vCJD are as follows:

You are not eligible to donate if:
From January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1996, you spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of 3 months or more, in the United Kingdom (UK), or

From January 1, 1980, to present, you had a blood transfusion in any country(ies) in the (UK). The UK includes any of the countries listed below.

Channel Islands
England
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Isle of Man
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
You were a member of the of the U.S. military, a civilian military employee, or a dependent of a member of the U.S. military who spent a total time of 6 months on or associated with a military base in any of the following areas during the specified time frames

From 1980 through 1990 - Belgium, the Netherlands (Holland), or Germany
From 1980 through 1996 - Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece.
You spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of 5 years or more from January 1, 1980, to present, in any combination of country(ies) in Europe, including

in the UK from 1980 through 1996 as listed in above
on or associated with military bases as described above, and
in other countries in Europe as listed below:
Albania
Austria
Montenegro (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
Belgium
Bosnia/Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Norway
Poland
Czech Republic
Denmark
Romania
Finland
France
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)
Germany
Greece
Spain
Hungary
Ireland (Republic of)
Italy
Kosovo (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Netherlands (Holland)
Portugal
Serbia (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Yugoslavia (Federal Republic includes Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia)
2007-06-19 8:32 AM
in reply to: #850080

Expert
764
5001001002525
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
zenith65 - 2007-06-19 7:59 AM

The old lady at the Red Cross told me that I had to wait ten years after returning before I could donate again.  (Was she just speculating????  Maybe.)  I guess if I haven't died in ten years then I must not have caught it. 

For all those who fear the needles, when donating, find the oldest grandma in the place and have her stick you.  She is the most experienced and can slip that thing into you without you even knowing.



Here's what the Red Cross website says about it:

In-Depth Discussion of Variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease and Blood Donation

In some parts of the world, cattle can get an infectious, fatal brain disease called Mad Cow Disease. In these same locations, humans have started to get a new disease called variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (vCJD) which is also a fatal brain disease. Scientists believe that vCJD is Mad Cow Disease that has somehow transferred to humans, possibly through the food chain.

There is now evidence from a small number of case reports involving patients and laboratory animal studies that vCJD can be transmitted through transfusion. There is no test for vCJD in humans that could be used to screen blood donors and to protect the blood supply. This means that blood programs must take special precautions to keep vCJD out of the blood supply by avoiding collections from those who have been where this disease is found.

At this time, the American Red Cross donor eligibility rules related to vCJD are as follows:

You are not eligible to donate if:
From January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1996, you spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of 3 months or more, in the United Kingdom (UK), or

From January 1, 1980, to present, you had a blood transfusion in any country(ies) in the (UK). The UK includes any of the countries listed below.

Channel Islands
England
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Isle of Man
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
You were a member of the of the U.S. military, a civilian military employee, or a dependent of a member of the U.S. military who spent a total time of 6 months on or associated with a military base in any of the following areas during the specified time frames

From 1980 through 1990 - Belgium, the Netherlands (Holland), or Germany
From 1980 through 1996 - Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece.
You spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of 5 years or more from January 1, 1980, to present, in any combination of country(ies) in Europe, including

in the UK from 1980 through 1996 as listed in above
on or associated with military bases as described above, and
in other countries in Europe as listed below:
Albania
Austria
Montenegro (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
Belgium
Bosnia/Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Norway
Poland
Czech Republic
Denmark
Romania
Finland
France
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)
Germany
Greece
Spain
Hungary
Ireland (Republic of)
Italy
Kosovo (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Netherlands (Holland)
Portugal
Serbia (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Yugoslavia (Federal Republic includes Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia)


2007-06-19 8:37 AM
in reply to: #848291


21

Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
We have a blood drive here on campus today, already swam this morning, will probably ride at lunch, then go donate the lovely O-neg corpuscles (double reds most likely)

Mike
2007-06-19 8:42 AM
in reply to: #849113

Master
1641
100050010025
Cambridge, MA
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
BellinghamSpence - 2007-06-18 2:42 PM

Lived in Germany for 3 years back in the 80s....And they said I could have Mad Cow disease.....MMmmmooooooo.

Haven't gone back to check if that has changed.   Than I would

Similar for me, but had dated an american guy raised in Nigeria (he lived there 1980-1992 and we dated 1994-1997) and the Red Cross considers it a high malaria and HIV risk area.   It's odd though becasue I'm totally clean, willing to donate (even platelets!), and O+ type so they'd told me in the late 90s that the rules would probably change and I'd be elligible again after some period of time passed, but no. 

Once blacklisted, always blacklisted, and it's sad because I would give if I could.  It doesn't bother me a bit.  I'm big/tall and have lots of good blood to spare.

2007-06-19 4:52 PM
in reply to: #848291

Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
I don't weigh enough.
2007-06-19 8:26 PM
in reply to: #848291

Master
1534
100050025
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
But but...I do donate blood...
2007-06-20 1:03 AM
in reply to: #849009

Expert
856
5001001001002525
Pittsburgh
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

zenith65 - 2007-06-18 2:07 PM Not eligible.  Lived in Europe during the great Mad Cow Disease scare and have to wait until 2009 before I am eligible again.  Kinda strange if you ask me...

Same as me.  That's the first I heard though about being eligible again.  I used to give all the time, so I guess my blood was alright when I came back but a few years later it went bad... Undecided

What really irritates me is that they still call me all the time.  I have to tell them every time that it's their own regulation that's stopping me, and not to bother calling back until I'm allowed.  The people on the phone don't care - they just say Ok, and hang up. 



2007-06-20 8:43 AM
in reply to: #848291

Pro
4189
20002000100252525
Pittsburgh, my heart is in Glasgow
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
I can't because I give a false hep c positive. Apparently, something with my diabetes medication triggers a "positive" on their first round test. The second round test is negative. So no donation. It sucks because I'm 100% behind it.
2007-06-20 8:48 AM
in reply to: #848291

T1
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?
My parents told us for as long as I can remember that it is your social responsibility to donate as much as possible. That is especially true of my family since all 7 kids are AB-! I can't donate anymore because they have some silly rule that "donated blood and blood thinners don't go together" Understood but sad because it is SO important!
2007-06-20 9:00 AM
in reply to: #848781

Expert
1103
1000100
Plano, TX
Subject: RE: Why don't you donate blood?

WaterDog66 - ...  In reality, although the blood volume does recover in a fairly short period of time, it seemed like the red blood cell counts took quite a while to bounce back. ...

You could always donate just platelets.  They'll separate the blood and pump all the red cells back in.

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