No, I'm not talking about the vampire seductress that visits my dreams... (analyse that for me :D )

I'm talking about the nurses and the needles and the half litre of blood they take at the clinics.

I'm interested in knowing how many of us donate blood, and I also want to encourage those that don't to consider doing so. It's a vital part of our medical system that relies on people to volunteer their time and a small part of their body.

What brought this on? Well I donated blood on Tuesday, and I remembered the relative lack of donors - our blood supply for surgeries, etc. is dependent on a fairly small percentage of the population.

For those living in Canada (and, for that matter, for those who don't have the fortune to reside in the Great White North [img]smile.gif[/img] ) here's a website with information.

http://www.bloodservices.ca/

I don't yet - going to start soon though.

Infact I've already sent in my application. Funny coincidence.

I can't donate blood for a few more years, because I have had to many surgeries, they turn me away :/ I wish I could though, I know what it is like needing blood transfusions.

I've donated blood twice, and intend to donate every time that it doesn't infringe upon something intergral in my schedule...

Type B+!!!

The nurses, though, like to stick the tape to my arm where it'll pull out a maximum amount of arm hair...the evil wenches!

Nope, this is my blood and it is staying in my body. Simple as that.

I've heard a lot of people talk like that...and I really don't understand...the average blood cell does not live very long, anyway...your body constantly replaces them...it really doesn't have to work any more than normal to produce the blood cells for replacement....

The only bad part about giving blood is that it really hurts your weightlifting...but only for about a week.

It's strange that we get all of thess pre-emptive shots and certain pills to take while in different parts of the world, and when it's blood drive time, we get turned away. Really makes one wonder!

If you ever need a blood transfusion you'd better hope that not everyone is as selfish as you.

I can't give blood because I've had several operations and tattoos within the last few years. I would if I could though.

i do it twice a year because i've got a special bloodtype that's really rare, so they often call me if i would like to donate some

I donate wheneever I can, which is every 90 days I think...
I think its a great cause, I heard in Australia, for every 2 people that donate blood, 82 people need it......Pretty bad. :(

If you ever need a blood transfusion you'd better hope that not everyone is as selfish as you. </font>[/QUOTE]I understand his reasons for it, I used to be that way, until I had the need for them myself, and it was the only that saved my sons life. you can not change a persons mind over it, but if he does need it, he will understand how it is then ;)

Sadly, one of my true fears is that of needles. So, I tend not to donate blood. Besides, once you become a lawyer, they remove all your blood along with your heart. :D

what did they put in place for it?????

donor organs and blood?

There is one thing that I hate more than infomertials, and that is people that say they hate needles.
Why?
Well answer me this... How many people DO like needles??? [img]smile.gif[/img]

Dont worry Timber, I dont like them either, but when you think of how beneficial giving blood is, I think that people can deal with a tiny amoutn of pain.

Boy, would you be surprised if you spent a day at my office. Oh, yes, some of 'em love needles. We used to have a sign that said, "Give blood to Parkland. If you need it, you can have it back." :D

How old do you have to be to give blood? Does it vary in different countries?

I think 18, but not sure....might be different in other countries.

<font face="Verdana" size="3" color="#00FF00">I do it about every time I can. I think it is about a month and a half between donations (8 times per year). They say every time you donate 4 lives are saved. </font>

I would like to donate blood but I cannot. I just can`t stand all the needels and wathing it how it`s going into my body. Also it hurts a little. Maybe one day if I get more courage I will donate.

[ 08-20-2004, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: Xen ]

My dad is needle-shy too. Every time I go give blood I call him up and ask if he'd like to join me. Unaccountably, he always says no. [img]smile.gif[/img]

But really, it's not painful. If the nurse knows what she's doing, it won't hurt, but just cause mild discomfort. And you shouldn't actually watch them insert the needle, because you tense up, which makes it painful.

There's lots of people who can inspire you to donate; just about every time I go, I run into someone who has hit triple digits (!!!) in donations. At 6-7 times a year, that's a lot of years. The last time I went, I met a guy who fainted the first time he donated (afraid of needles). However, he was on his 105th time.

i tried once (at 17 which is the age in the u.s.) but i was anemic, and good thing too cause it hink iw as pregnant then and just didn't know it. but i have been anemic on and off my whole life so i'm not sure if i would even find the right time to donate. nathan used to donate a lot, but it is hard with two jobs and family.

Well I hate needles as well, whenever I need my blood tested I have to lie down before they start, because I always look so white they're afraid I'll faint. But for something as important as blood donations... I dunno, I think you should try to overcome that fear.

I had a really informative talk a while ago with a girl who gives blood, because I wanted to do so as well. Unfortunately I weigh too little but as soon as I gain enough, I would like to donate blood.

[ 08-20-2004, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

I do.
And i hate neddles...
but i turn my head, close my eyes and think about the people i can help doing this.
And... there is the good side (the bad one is the needles), they give us 2 snacks. A small one before, and the greater one after the donation. And you win a medical licence for all the day. I'm joking. =)

but the snaks are really good. :D

<font color=lime>Like Stormy, I can't. I am on too many meds for my MS. They turned me away about 2 months ago. </font>

Yes, that's why I can't give blood either.

Hivetyrant, there is a difference between not liking something and having a phobia about it. If you have never experienced it I'm not surprised that you can't understand it, but while a normal dislike or apprehension towards something can be fairly easily overcome, a phobia can be completely debilitating and very difficult to overcome without some sort of therapy.

I have , over the years given three gallons of blood. Me, the universal doner (type o+).

Haha.

I haven't as of yet, never really got involved, but I might. I actually quite like needles myself, I don't have a clue why, but ever since I was a little kid I seemed to like going to the doctors to get Needles. And also, I have been in hospital more than your average person, so it doesn't really phase me.

I really should be donating blood, but I don't because I really hate needles. I hope that I'll be able to overcome that fear someday...

I spent alot of time in them as well, but that only made me hate the darn things ;) .....oh forgot this one too, can not donate on account of my veins, they bust as soon as the needles are in...should see them try and put in a normal IV needle ;)

For all of you that don't like needles.

What are you going to do when the time comes that you need a blood transfusion?

Belonephobia!!

Just don't look! It's only a little prick!

not for me it is not ;) I have heard that one before, when I donated plasma, they had to stick me twice just to give me the blood back, because my vein went bye bye [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I remember in high school I went to donate blood and they said I didn't weigh enough. I probably still do not I reckon. What is the weight limit Aerich do you know?

Well, friend, by the time they need them, they may very well not be able to feel, or respond to the needles. :(

Also, Xen, I'm not sure, but I dont think you're old enough to give blood, so you still have plenty of time to overcome that fear! ;)

I spent alot of time in them as well, but that only made me hate the darn things ;) .....oh forgot this one too, can not donate on account of my veins, they bust as soon as the needles are in...should see them try and put in a normal IV needle ;) </font>[/QUOTE]I hate hospitals, dispite the fact that I've ever even beeing hospitalized. Justing visting them makes me uneasy. See a bunch of blood on the bed after an operation does that ;)

I can't donate blood how drunk would you think those who needed the blood would be? LOL :D

Minimum weight is 50 kg (110 lbs).

If/when you do give blood, make sure to eat and drink prior to donating (about an hour earlier). The food increases your blood sugar level, meaning it's less likely that you will feel lightheaded/faint, and the (non-alcoholic!) drink will increase your blood volume with the same result.

They give you cookies and juice/tea/coffee afterward, to help with that as well.

I'll mention in passing that in the 15 times I've donated, I've only felt poorly afterward about 3 times. Each time was because I didn't have enough to eat/drink before donating. The trick is to eat and/or drink before, after, and every two waking hours or so for the next couple days. Athletic performance is slightly affected for 4-5 days, but normal activity is not.

Well, besides my urge to tell Aerich, as an aspiring Physicist, that the Kilogram is a unit of mass, not weight, I pretty much concur with everything he says...

Besides that, I just wanted to say that there's a blood donation September 2 here at UK, so I'll be giving blood for the fourth time.

WHat are the statistics about return blood doners? How many times does the average blood doner donate? Once? Twice? Eighty seven times?

When will I be above average??? lol

Weight, mass, same diff, right? ;) (At least in common usage)

Good on you for committing to donate again, Ilander.

I'm not sure what the exact stats are for return donors, but I know it's more than 2. There are plenty of people who go <10 times and bring down the average, but anybody who gets over 10 is likely to get up to at least 50, given enough time. Each of the last few times I've been to the clinic I talked to at least one person who had over 100 donations. The high so far is 131. :eek: