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kranky

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
Plasma doesn't take that long. About an hour from in the door to out the door. It's a good thing to do on a Saturday morning.

A couple years ago I was donating plasma while a lady in the next chair was giving whole blood. The workers were chatting among all of us and one gestured at me, mentioning that I was one of the universal plasma donors for babies, and only around 1% of people are in that category (blood type + antibody thing).


So the lady who is donating starts tearing up a bit saying her baby needed plasma the year before and offered me the most heartfelt, sincere thank you I ever heard. It was truly humbling. She said that's what got her started donating herself.

That "thank you" really stuck with me and I try to give regularly. (Honestly, I'm getting a little blurry-eyed right now thinking about it.) Helps me keep in mind that we can help other people in different ways.
 
Phoenix86

Phoenix86

Lifer
May 21, 2003
14,644
10
81
They won't take my blood because I have had a head injury involving memory loss, I have tried several times and they still say no (injury was years ago just out of high school). :(
 
highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,338
136
kranky said:
Plasma doesn't take that long. About an hour from in the door to out the door. It's a good thing to do on a Saturday morning.

A couple years ago I was donating plasma while a lady in the next chair was giving whole blood. The workers were chatting among all of us and one gestured at me, mentioning that I was one of the universal plasma donors for babies, and only around 1% of people are in that category (blood type + antibody thing).


So the lady who is donating starts tearing up a bit saying her baby needed plasma the year before and offered me the most heartfelt, sincere thank you I ever heard. It was truly humbling. She said that's what got her started donating herself.

That "thank you" really stuck with me and I try to give regularly. (Honestly, I'm getting a little blurry-eyed right now thinking about it.) Helps me keep in mind that we can help other people in different ways.
Click to expand...
QFAwesomeness.
 
E

Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
20,582
3,791
126
SunnyD said:
ftfy
Click to expand...

I approve of this fix

kranky said:
Plasma doesn't take that long. About an hour from in the door to out the door. It's a good thing to do on a Saturday morning.

A couple years ago I was donating plasma while a lady in the next chair was giving whole blood. The workers were chatting among all of us and one gestured at me, mentioning that I was one of the universal plasma donors for babies, and only around 1% of people are in that category (blood type + antibody thing).


So the lady who is donating starts tearing up a bit saying her baby needed plasma the year before and offered me the most heartfelt, sincere thank you I ever heard. It was truly humbling. She said that's what got her started donating herself.

That "thank you" really stuck with me and I try to give regularly. (Honestly, I'm getting a little blurry-eyed right now thinking about it.) Helps me keep in mind that we can help other people in different ways.
Click to expand...

Good for you! I do donate occasionally and I know I should give more often (One of the Type Os. I am guessing O- because the red cross calls me all the time) but I have an irrational fear of needles and giving blood. I actually forget how to breathe correctly. True story.
 
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E

Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
20,582
3,791
126
Platypus said:
All blood is tested. I understand trying to minimize high risk behavior, which is more prevalent with same sex relations, but a straight guy who sleeps around constantly is way higher risk than a gay guy in a committed relationship in my mind.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you that this rule is absurd
 
W

Wag

Diamond Member
Jul 21, 2000
8,288
8
81
I've eaten a few people in a past life (was in the Donner Party). Tasted like chicken.
 
AmdEmAll

AmdEmAll

Diamond Member
Aug 27, 2000
6,699
9
81
Not sure ive ever saved anyone.. but ive killed at least a million kittens.
 
E

Exophase

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2012
4,439
9
81
highland145 said:
Which is quite effed up. So they trust people to tell the truth on the questionnaire and then not check the blood? Right.

"Honey, let's give blood."
"Sorry, sweety, but I've been banging whores for the last 6 months."
Click to expand...

My understanding is that they test large batches and if they find something bad they have to throw all of it out. So there isn't a risk of contaminating patients but a risk of losing a lot of other donations.
 
highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,338
136
Exophase said:
My understanding is that they test large batches and if they find something bad they have to throw all of it out. So there isn't a risk of contaminating patients but a risk of losing a lot of other donations.
Click to expand...
So if I lie and have something they don't want to share, it screws up a lot of donations. :\
 
waggy

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
highland145 said:
And you?:colbert:

Edit: More of an ass kicker than I thought. Thanks six.
Click to expand...

woot!

I would give blood but with my meds I don't think its a good idea.

I did give blood back in high school. The wrestling team did it as a team. though the coach made fun of me since i was wrestling at 103 and they have a 112 lb limit. i just lied and said i was 115 (when i was really around 100)

its neat watching it. i just can't watch the needle go in but like everythign else.
 
highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,338
136
waggy said:
woot!

I would give blood but with my meds I don't think its a good idea.

I did give blood back in high school. The wrestling team did it as a team. though the coach made fun of me since i was wrestling at 103 and they have a 112 lb limit. i just lied and said i was 115 (when i was really around 100)

its neat watching it. i just can't watch the needle go in but like everythign else.
Click to expand...
Did they do bad things to you when you passed out?
 
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iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
highland145 said:
Which is quite effed up. So they trust people to tell the truth on the questionnaire and then not check the blood? Right.

"Honey, let's give blood."
"Sorry, sweety, but I've been banging whores for the last 6 months."
Click to expand...


I'm banned for life for having spent time in the same vicinity as my girlfriend's Dad who works in Ghana.

My favorite Red Cross requirement:

Weight
You must weigh at least 110 Lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Blood volume is in proportion to body weight. Donors who weight less than 110Lbs may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood as well as those who weigh more than 110Lbs. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you are using. You can discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.
Click to expand...
 
waggy

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
highland145 said:
Didi they do bad things to you when you passed out?
Click to expand...

ha! i didn't pass out.i didn't even get sick or light headed. I did get very hungry and slept more then normal.

one of the big guys did pass out though. heh we didn't know he was afraid of needles.
 
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