How much blood have you donated? - Why?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How much blood have you donated? - Why? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 9/12/2005 6:20:00 PM EDT

My first time was when I was 21 when my mother was going to have surgery.

I have lost track due to giveing in three locations - g'ville fla - Atl, and Jax Fla. - but I know that it is over a gallon.

How much have you given?

Later,

Badredfish

Posted: 9/12/2005 6:21:31 PM EDT

[#1]

I have donated blood twice a year, for the last 4 years or so.

I dontate because I have a rare blood type.

Posted: 9/12/2005 6:22:35 PM EDT

[#2]

Every now and then, started with a high school blood drive. I donate because I don't need it and someone else does.

Posted: 9/12/2005 6:25:08 PM EDT

[#3]

None since about 2000 because my being stationed in Germany for a couple years and my anthrax shots seem to disqualify me.

Posted: 9/12/2005 6:25:52 PM EDT

[#4]

I donated blood on a couple of occasions and donated platelets once.

They won't take my blood now. They think I have mad cow.

Posted: 9/12/2005 6:26:34 PM EDT

[#5]

None to the public in the last ten years or so.

They won't take it since the anthrax series and my being stationed overseas eating mad cow burgers.

The odd thing is that the military blood banks love my blood.

Posted: 9/12/2005 6:28:03 PM EDT

[#6]

I have been giving for 25+ years and got the 10 gal pin earlier this year.
There is also about 1 gal that I sold when I was in college.
My wife has been giving for past 12 years and got her 5 gal. pin last year.

Posted: 9/12/2005 6:28:04 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
They won't take it since the anthrax series

Funny how that works out isn't it ?

Same boat here.

Posted: 9/12/2005 6:35:10 PM EDT

[#8]

None.
Mine is unacceptable for med reasons.

I have drawn from the bank twice.

Thank you.

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:31:01 PM EDT

[#9]

Never. I'm scared of needles.

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:34:03 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Never. I'm scared of needles.

+1

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:34:04 PM EDT

[#11]

I have donated on numerous occasions.

O-

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:35:11 PM EDT

[#12]

Gave twice when I was in high school, but that was 10 years ago.

Never have the time anymore. At least in school I got out of class so they could stick me with the horse needle.

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:38:51 PM EDT

[#13]

Never. My blood's not good enough for them. For the above stated mad cow reasons.

-K

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:39:45 PM EDT

[#14]

I have AB- and my body needs it more than somebody elses

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:40:11 PM EDT

[#15]

None.

I get to sell mine, and make a piece of the pie that the blood bank gets.

I do, however, ocasionally donate plasma at the hospital to be used for premature babies.

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:42:35 PM EDT

[#16]

I used to give a couple of times a year, but the local Red Cross has become really inept and disorganized, and I haven't given in the past year because the idiots can never tell me WHERE and WHEN to show up.

I wonder if I could just swing by our medical school campus, and find some permanent location that is always open and I can just drop by?

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:43:27 PM EDT

[#17]

Donated lots in college...

Free T-shirts and cookies ROCK!

EPOCH

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:45:45 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Donated lots in college...

Free T-shirts and cookies ROCK!

EPOCH

Minnesota Red Cross Charged for those cookies after you "Donated" blood another reason why I will not give blood anymore

Posted: 9/12/2005 8:58:01 PM EDT

[#19]

Since I was a Senior in high school, I've given over 2 gallons. I haven't in several years, due to all of their bullshit rules about who can give blood. Just like the rule about people who have been in a country that has had a confirmed case of Mad Cow. IIRC, the US has now had a confirmed case. It's really too bad because they love my O- blood.

Vulcan94

Posted: 9/12/2005 9:24:46 PM EDT

[#20]

I have donate probably 3-4 gallons, I've got a few of those gallon pins somewhere in my house.

But now I donate mostly platelets because they are the hardest to get. The R.C. must process something like 7 units of blood to arrive at 1 unit of platelets. The shelf of life of platelets is a matter of 2-3 days max. The people who need platelets are bone morrow receipients because in order to receive the new morrow, their own has to be destroyed by chemicals or radiation, and in the meantime, they are suspectible to bleeding to death because platelets are only produced in the bone morrow.

Posted: 9/12/2005 9:36:53 PM EDT

[#21]

Over 40 pints of blood and about a dozen platelet donations. Had to get a couple pints of blood when I was a kid due to a bad cut on the foot and have given off and on since I was first able to in high school.

Posted: 9/12/2005 9:58:16 PM EDT

[#22]

I've never donated blood before, and I feel a little guilty because of it. But, I'm borderline anemic, so I think I should hold onto all the red blood cells I can get keep my hands on.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:07:00 PM EDT

[#23]

I donated twice in highschool. I did it to get out of class. Eventually I came to resent the fact that they were getting free blood from us because they knew we'd do it to get out of class. I stopped giving. But it was fun to go in with 1st timers. Somebody hit an explosive vein the last time I donated. The patient bled like a stuck pig. It scared the heck out of the 1st timers. That was a hoot.

Galland

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:09:06 PM EDT

[#24]

I've never donated because of a heart condition. Not sure why it disqualifies me but it does.

EDIT: Apparently not. I just checked the website for restrictions and my condition wasn't on it.

Shoot, I think I will donate when I get back in the U.S.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:32:10 PM EDT

[#25]

Whenever I tell them about my sexual history, they just say "no thanks" and give me a sticker.

Dunno what's up about that? Didn't everyone work in a Tulsa gay truckstop passing out hot towels in the shower when they were young?

Jeesh....uptight vampires.
Ok, seriously? I gave a couple years ago. I usually pass out, so I don't do it as often as I should.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:40:15 PM EDT

[#26]

Pass out when they start drawing blood.

Told them no way from now on.

That and me going to mexico on occasion has disqualified me.

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:41:24 PM EDT

[#27]

Gave on 2 separate occasions. To family members of friends in need.

RH A+

Oh yes, almost fainted the first time. Too dumb not to stay seated for a while after the draw.

Was more careful the next time .... no cute nurses then tho.

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:46:01 PM EDT

[#28]

I can't donate anymore because of the places I've been and the innoculations they gave me before going there.

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:48:45 PM EDT

[#29]

Average 4-5 times a year for the past 10 years. Mayo Clinic gives you free food and drinks and not just cookies and juice

Posted: 9/13/2005 12:00:47 AM EDT

[#30]

Let me be the first to say thankyou to all that have donated.

I've donated 1 pint and have received 8.

Posted: 9/13/2005 2:23:40 AM EDT

[#31]

Have given over two gallons easily, but don't have a definite number since I've given at different places over a number of years.

Why? Because it helps other people, and it's part of my paid weight-loss program.

I give at work, on company time. But that's because I happen to work at a hospital. Also because I thoroughly enjoy terrorizing the Blood Donor crew every time I'm there. And they LIKE the abuse!

Get to give again in two weeks.

Posted: 9/13/2005 3:28:43 AM EDT

[#32]

None.

The vampires don't like me after I did a couple short term mission trips to rural parts of Central America.

Posted: 9/13/2005 4:40:48 AM EDT

[#33]

Over 7 gallons and counting[O-Neg,Neonatal]

Posted: 9/13/2005 4:52:41 AM EDT

[#34]

every since the blood drive we had in High School and one student passed out afterwards, falling into a concrete block wall and knocking many of her teeth out, I have decided for my own good it's better if I keep my blood.

Posted: 9/13/2005 4:58:09 AM EDT

[#35]

Can't donate due to having had Lymes disease, and have an immune complex going on.

Posted: 9/13/2005 5:06:49 AM EDT

[#36]

I'm O- and CMV negative, I give platelets. Why, because someday I might be a cancer patient or have a baby in need of a transusion, if you can give it's the right thing to do.

Posted: 9/13/2005 5:06:59 AM EDT

[#37]

87 ounces!

Posted: 9/13/2005 5:14:50 AM EDT

[#38]

I cannot donate due to the having had the following:

1. Meningitis

2. Rocky Mtn. Spotted Fever

3. Jaundice

4. Cancer-Melanoma

All of which happened in a one year period. That was a tough year.

Posted: 9/13/2005 5:19:58 AM EDT

[#39]

None since 1999. Evidently, since I have tattoos, have recieved the anthrax vaccine, and have been to the middle east, my blood is now poisonous. It will melt through the bags that they normally store it in, and will kill anyone who looks at it.

Posted: 9/13/2005 5:39:48 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
87 ounces!

What is it with you and everything being "87"?

Posted: 9/13/2005 5:45:46 AM EDT

[#41]

Never.

I don't give blood, I give money.

Posted: 9/13/2005 5:50:50 AM EDT

[#42]

None, Ever growing Tat collection plus Antimalarials for the last 15 years knock me out of the donor pool

Posted: 9/13/2005 6:32:41 AM EDT

[#43]

Never.

If I go to the hospital and have to get blood, they'll charge $70 a pint or more for it. So why should I just *give* them the blood?

Years ago, if a loved one was going in, relatives could go in and literally give blood, so the relative wouldn't be charged for blood. Today they wont let you do that, therefore I have never given.

If I was a crack dealer who got shot by a cop or during a drug deal, they would give me blood and not charge me. Why should I give my blood to a crack dealer who's not even going to pay for it?

Posted: 9/13/2005 7:16:15 AM EDT

[#44]

Many gallons over the last 39 years. My blood type is down around 1% of the population.

Posted: 9/13/2005 7:26:53 AM EDT

[#45]

Almost 9 gallons now. I started about 1990, and have been going about 4-5 times a year. Sometimes I do the platlets procedure, but it takes a while longer and you need an appointment instead of just a walk-in.

Moved from San Diego to Portland, OR recently and have only given once here. Back down south they'd call me when eligible (8 week cycle) but up here they don't, so I forget.

Free donuts & orange juice.

Posted: 9/13/2005 7:33:40 AM EDT

[#46]

i lived in europe ten years ago - my blood is dirty, and anyone recieving a donation from me would contract a horrible disease and die... so they wouldn't take my blood when i tried to give

Posted: 9/13/2005 7:38:21 AM EDT

[#47]

Once in high school. Passed out afterwards even though I was feeling fine eating my cookie and drinking my OJ.

Shame too since I am also O-. The Red Cross wouldn't stop calling me for quite a while.

My father has done several gallons though.

Posted: 9/13/2005 7:52:11 AM EDT

[#48]

I've given more then three gallons and donated platelets for a friend with leukemia.

To all you morons who refuse to donate because the hospital/blood bank charge for the blood transfusion please make sure you refuse all transfusions for yourself and family members. Do you have any idea how stupid you sound?