I have in the past. I've only been able to make 1 or 2 actual donations though. My veins are too small to support the needle, so they told me not to come back.
I had no idea there was a weight requirement. Clearly that wasn't an issue for me lol.
Yes, it's 110 pounds. I was borderline for awhile and generally needed to eat a lot of cookies and juice afterward, but I think that's true of a lot of people regardless.
When I'm done gestating and nursing I hope to get back into donating.
I had no idea there was a weight requirement. Clearly that wasn't an issue for me lol.
Yes, it's 110 pounds. I was borderline for awhile and generally needed to eat a lot of cookies and juice afterward, but I think that's true of a lot of people regardless.
When I'm done gestating and nursing I hope to get back into donating.
I am NOT 110 but am at the lower end of their weight requirements and I am also very active, and blood donation takes it toll on me. Since they call me from day 56 on until I relent, I asked that they give me 90 days in between donations. They were happy to put that in their system and now I feel much better because they are spaced out more.
Post by karmasabiotch on Mar 26, 2015 16:19:44 GMT -5
I can't. I have to get iron infusions every three months. Plus I received donor blood a few years ago and I think it was mentioned that I couldn't give blood for 5 years after that. I could be totally making that part up though. That time is blurry to me.
I used to donate all the time but since we moved, it's harder for me to get to a donation location, and I have also had a lot of iron issues. I am o negative though and I know they always need it so I feel guilty for not donating more, when I think about it. I wish they did house calls.
I used to but can't anymore due to being in Haiti and S Africa and having sex. I'm not sure when I can again though. I should check in to that. Blood donation is great!
Post by lexxasaurus on Mar 26, 2015 16:55:13 GMT -5
Yes, when I can. It's not often that I haven't gotten a recent tattoo AND my blood pressure and iron are high enough. When everything is good though, I make a donation!
Post by gibbinator on Mar 26, 2015 16:58:04 GMT -5
No. I can't even get blood tests done without fainting and spending the rest of the day sick and woozy. It's kind of ridiculous. I did volunteer to help with blood drives in high school and college. Eta : I'm also mildly anaemic so I'm not sure if I can
I have a card and everything, so I'm basically a pro.
Except I don't actually know what the card is for ...
At my Red Cross-the scan my card at check in and it puts all my information in. I still have to go through those annoying questions, but it pre-fills in a LOT. Then they put a date of donation on it so I can feel all cool and helpful.
For those scared of the needle, it doesn't hurt. I've heard they put some numbing solution on it. Once it's in you can't feel it at all. It IS big so I suggest not looking though.
I can't. I have to get iron infusions every three months. Plus I received donor blood a few years ago and I think it was mentioned that I couldn't give blood for 5 years after that. I could be totally making that part up though. That time is blurry to me.
I believe that's incorrect. I received 2 transfusions after I had my daughter, and was cleared to give blood a year later. Maybe an old guideline or a local one?
ETA: Here's what the Red Cross website says
"Wait for 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person in the United States.
You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion since 1980 in the United Kingdom or France. (The United Kingdom consists of the following countries: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or Falkland Islands). This requirement is related to concerns about variant CJD, or 'mad cow' disease. Learn more about variant CJD and blood donation."
Then it must just be because of my iron issues. I used to donate blood regularly.
It was through our office complex, and we had the choice of free ice cream or movie ticket.
Yesterday was the first time I had done it in maybe close to a decade. I used to all the time. I need to get back into it. They used to call me all the time to donate because I'm O+
I have in the past, though the last time I went my iron count was really low, so they recommend me to wait. Ironically, I was only going 2x year because of just sqeaking by as it was.
Post by crispnclean on Mar 26, 2015 19:19:56 GMT -5
Shamefully, I never have. I had serious needle anxiety my whole life (I honestly almost passed out just accompanying a friend while she donated blood). Then I got pregnant and got diagnosed with GD which got me over that. Once I'm done nursing I plan to donate because I'm O- and I think it's important.
I donate platelets and plasma, which require a larger needle and a longer/more invasive process. You can do platelets more often than blood, and plasma much more often.
I think I've only donated blood twice. I LOL'd at the tiny needle and super short turnaround time.