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