gave blood today. it was a strange and memorable experience

[shopbruin]

Originally posted by: Linux23
I'm a bit curious. Say, you volunteer to give blood. What exactly do you get out of it, besides possibly saving another persons life? How much does the Red Cross make for selling your blood?

Warm fuzzy feelings, and free cookies and juice.

This is why I donated at the blood bank for the medical center - it went directly to the hospital. Plus, the university would give four hours of comp time for employees who donated blood.

I've never had any episodes - the worse is that I'd feel cold while giving blood, otherwise, I do everything I can to finish in five mins - drink plenty of water, eat a good meal the day of, not drink caffeine, etc. The last time I went, my sister was also giving blood and she passed out. THAT was an event. She still doesn't remember passing out and then she woke up and didn't know where she was for a bit.

 

[Excelsior]

I am not usually a caring or giving person, but I love to give blood. It takes little effort, just a bit of my time, and I am giving something back to the community. I am actually due to donate....

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
I do it when I have the chance - actually, I donate double reds. If you're squeamish, do NOT do that. What they do is pump out blood, and then separate it, then pump plasma + saline back into you - and it burns & itches.

I've done exactly the opposite-donated plasma. They don't want my blood.

I think it's funny that people faint after giving blood...

 

[Kreon]

I've given twice.

Both ended terribly with me out like a light.
The lady screaming at me to wake up-been there, done that

I'm also terrified of needles

But I plan on giving again. This time I'll plan time for the unconsciousness

 

[paulney]

Wow, are you and all these people you witnessed anemic or what?
Actually, if you were anemic, you wouldn't have passed the screening.

I give blood on a regular basis - about 5-6 times a year, and I've never witnessed anything you saw. Very routine procedure.
The only time I was close to getting asleep was when I gave blood for the second time in college, and I didn't have anything to eat in the morning.

 

[Shawn]

WTF? This happens often? How much blood do they take?

 

[Red Squirrel]

I've been giving blood for about a year now. My first time I started getting a head rush and probably was the start of a faint, but never got to there as they stopped it. (you mention one small thing and they stop it lol guess it's for their own protection too). I also found out after my first time that I have a very rare blood type.

The times after that I was able to pull through no problem.

I find the needle uncomfortable as well though, it's not so much that it hurts, its just anoying. I would hate being sick and stuck with an IV for a long time as it probably feels the same way, if worse. I sometimes bruise a bit too but nothing major.

And the reason some people faint is their body thinks they are loosing blood. It's a natural process to try and save you. But after doing it a few times the body gets used to it. Though some people simply can't, or some people it's simply they faint at the sight of blood. Not everyone can do it.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: Shawn
WTF? This happens often? How much blood do they take?

Doesn't happen too often if they are paying attention and the people giving blood are paying attention to what they're told. If you give blood with low blood sugar and dehydrated you're pretty likely to pass out. I've got low blood pressure so I usually ask if I can lie down while I donate.

 

[marvdmartian]

First two times I gave were in high school, when I was a senior. Always fun to watch the jocks totally ignore the instructions the Red Cross nurse would give (lay for a while after they finish, then sit up for a while, then try standing, THEN walk over to the chair where they sit you down and feed you OJ and cookies). They'd hop up off the table, take about 3 steps, and spiral in for a crash landing!! To add injury to insult, the Red Cross would then proceed to put their blood right back into them, since they obviously were too light headed to safely give blood!! Got a laugh out of me every time.

I couldn't give blood for the longest time, since I'd taken malaria medicine, but gave in recent years when a friend's mother was hospitalized and they asked for donations in her name.

One thing for certain, once you've seen that big old vein needle in your arm, you pretty much lose any fear of tiny little injection needles. I did!

 

[Baked]

Damn socialist!

I kid, I kid.

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
I do it when I have the chance - actually, I donate double reds. If you're squeamish, do NOT do that. What they do is pump out blood, and then separate it, then pump plasma + saline back into you - and it burns & itches.

I've done exactly the opposite-donated plasma. They don't want my blood.

I think it's funny that people faint after giving blood...

Plasma takes about half the time of double reds - took me about 1hr 30mins - perfect when you get out of work for it.

 

[ViRGE]

I've never had a personal issue giving blood. The only reason I stopped was because my veins are very difficult to find, which means the techs hate working on me and it usually takes a number of jabs. It's too much grief for both parties.

 

[kranky]

I've never had a problem nor have I ever witnessed any blood donor have problems and I've donated probably 50 times. Do these people eat something before they donate? Even if they didn't know they should, they do ask you when you go through the screening.

I know it's not for everyone but for the OP plus 2 others have issues all at the same time is astounding to me.

The reason I donate (plasma) is that my blood is something called CMV-negative and that's the only plasma they can give to infants and organ transplant recipients (so I am told).

Donating blood does involve a little discomfort, but it's probably the only opportunity I will have to help save a life. And at Christmas time, donors tend to be scarce so if you're considering donating, this would be a good time.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
Plasma takes about half the time of double reds - took me about 1hr 30mins - perfect when you get out of work for it.

I just did a double red about a month ago; from the time I walked in until the time I left was only about 1:15.

Originally posted by: marvdmartian
First two times I gave were in high school, when I was a senior. To add injury to insult, the Red Cross would then proceed to put their blood right back into them, since they obviously were too light headed to safely give blood!! Got a laugh out of me every time.

wtf? They don't put your blood back in, even if you pass out. That's ridiculous.

Originally posted by: Excelsior
I am not usually a caring or giving person, but I love to give blood. It takes little effort, just a bit of my time, and I am giving something back to the community. I am actually due to donate....

It's actually supposed to be good for you too.

Originally posted by: Linux23
I'm a bit curious. Say, you volunteer to give blood. What exactly do you get out of it, besides possibly saving another persons life? How much does the Red Cross make for selling your blood?

3 people.
The blood is separated into 3 components. Red blood cells go to accident victims, surgery patients, etc. Plasma goes to burn victims, etc. Platelets to cancer patients...

Originally posted by: chorb

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
I do it when I have the chance - actually, I donate double reds. If you're squeamish, do NOT do that. What they do is pump out blood, and then separate it, then pump plasma + saline back into you - and it burns & itches.

I do this too, but it does not burn nor itch. It does however make a tingling sensation because the saline they pump back into you is room temp (~74F) and is cold compared to your body temp.

"Uhhhh, this feels really freaky. Is my body supposed to feel really weird?"
It varies from person to person. I felt VERY weird both times they were pumping it back into me. Plus, it flushes in a little bit of anti-coagulant. My lips, especially, were really tingly feeling.

 

[RedArmy]

I'm never giving blood again.

 

[silverpig]

I give regularly. It just sounds like that place you went to needs better screening/training. Here they make sure you have eaten a good meal within the last 5 or so hours. The only time I didn't do that is the only time I felt light headed.

I'm about to start donating platelets in January and will probably go every 2 weeks.

 

[StevenYoo]

I give blood pretty often. Free cookies and juice kick ass.

Oh, so does helping people.

 

[lokiju]

I can't do that shit anymore, makes me feel like passing out every time, though I never have.

But it's always inopportune timing like at work or when I'm running errands, I don't like the idea of feeling like shit and trying to function afterwards.

 

[Itchrelief]

Originally posted by: jagec

I've done exactly the opposite-donated plasma. They don't want my blood.

I'm AB+. Donated about 6 times so far. I think they're just being polite by taking my crappy blood. They probably just toss it in the trash after I leave.

Oh, the third time, I tried to make the question & answer part go faster by saying, "You can just put 'NO' down to anything that has to do with sex." But they went through the whole list anyways. LOL

Anyways, I have huge veins in my forearms and the people always think I'll finish quickly, but I'm a bit squeamish about pumping that ball as I have some irrational fear that if I move my arm around too much, the needle will jink around and rip a hole out the side of my vein, so I end up taking like 50% longer than everyone else.

 

[ModerateRepZero]

I've given blood three times I think. Second time I didn't drink enough fluids, so after the lady picked my 'promising' vein, it collapsed after collecting about half a bag of blood. apparently lack of fluids + caffeine (I drank some tea prior) doesn't keep fluid running thru your veins.

 

[blert]

Have A- blood and been donating for last 20 years... about to hit the 3 gallon mark...

That's a lot of OJ!

I've seen people pass out, rip the needle from their arms, had an intern jab my arm 8 times trying to get the vein... all awesome stuff.

 

[TheVrolok]

I give every 58 days or so, love it. I really haven't seen too many people pass out though.

 

[geno]

I've given twice. Both times, I felt a little uneasy, but never really queasy or anything. Both times, I was sure to drink plenty of water beforehand. I also would think you wouldn't want either an empty nor a full stomach. If you preprare a little before, it can make the experience go more smoothly.

 

[dug777]

Multiple bouts of malaria, including falciparum = fail on the blood giving front