Blood Drive sighting

[goldaries13]

They do the Vampire Bus (aka Blood Drive) at my school every year in May.

They did at my high school, too, twice a year, October and March. and every time, they had to throw at least 70% of the blood away because of the presence of drugs, alcohol, or STDs. I wish I was kidding. One year (my junior year, spring semester), they ended up throwing all of it away.

[PepperElf]

I take lots of comfort in my family network and don't worry much if anyone in my family needs a donation at any time.

normally however you don't directly donate to your relatives in a time of need. The red cross has to test the samples first as part of their screening process, so by the time your blood is ready for use... a family member would have received someone else's blood.

[Golden Phoenix]

I want to donate but can't. Even with the band on, and some hand exercises t get the blood flowing you can't even see the blood vessels in my arm.

Sucks.

[Kiwi]

I have donated blood twice, I should get around to it again.

The only bad experiance I had was a male nurse came up to me and asked if there was anything he should know. I told him the only problems I have are with cold hands, my veins will shrink away and not come to the surface for love nor money for cold hands.
He touches me, and HOLY POTATOS HE IS ICE COLD!!!

I ask him to go warm up his hands, he refuses and tries to jab me. I told him "you get one chance to jab me with those cold hands, if you miss you have to warm them up".
He tries, he fails. I agree to just one more attempt all the while im practically shivering because this guys hands are so cold.

He says he will try again.... OH NO HE WONT! I know it wont work, Ive had so many blood tests over my life I have visible marks from them. I know exactly what my veins like and what they dont. I insist he warms up his hands... at which time the supervising nurse comes by and she listens, and agrees to try, both of them assuring me that warm or cold hands have nothing to do with how my veins will react. She touches me, and her hands are nice and warm. She taps my arm and BAM my veins pop to the surface.

They both hrmpf and look unhappy about it as I lay back and enjoy my victory.

[LibraryLady]

I used to give blood regularly but I've stopped. I have veins that look like easy targets from the outside but they're small and tend to roll away so it's not always easy to nail one. I have to be punctured three or four before they find a profitable place. I'm a Gallon donor but, once or twice I've had to give blood through the ankle instead of the wrist. I also bleed slowly so it's sometimes difficult to get a pint out of me. As I grow older it isn't worth the effort.

My first blood donation was a problem. It as a College Blood Drive and I was avid to do it. I was on the table for about half an hour before I started noticing that Classmates were coming in, donating and going out while I was still dutifully pumping away. Then a nurse came over, looked down and yelled, "OMG (eleventy)

"What? What's wrong?"

"Oh, I dropped my pin"

(Must control fist of death!) "

"I'm sorry dear but you've been on the table for half an hour and we've only gotten a quarter pint of blood from you. I'm taking out the needle because we need the table."

[Kogarashi]

normally however you don't directly donate to your relatives in a time of need. The red cross has to test the samples first as part of their screening process, so by the time your blood is ready for use... a family member would have received someone else's blood.

Oh, I know, I know. But if I can get my family to keep donating, at least there'll be more O blood to go around.

[Megg]

I am B-, as is my daughter, but I am not allowed to donate. My mom had Hepatitis when she was pregnant with me, so I developed antibodies to it in the womb. I don't recall which strain (I seem to want to say B) but it was enough to prevent me donating. It makes me sad.

[dalesys]

Speaking of blood types, ... meaning all of our kids are also going to end up O-type, unless we get some freaky mutation in there. I think most of Hubby's family is also O-type.

I'm O-, my ex is A-... The Army Reserve insists that #2 child (oldest son) is A+...
She's very pissed at klutzenjammer Army techs... and regulations that seem to make it damn near impossible to correct their screwup.

[LillFilly]

Funny thing. I actually hate needles. Hate them. Scared to death. Want to wet myself. I'm fine with pain and open wounds, but needles...going inside me....Ugh. But I donate because I'm able, I'm O+, and I feel really guilty. There are SO many rules for donating, so few people actually pass, so every bit helps. I just have to be sure to drink lots of water before, and eat Special K or spinach for a week before donating (Iron count).

[Skrae]

I personally have PTSD when it comes to needles (got extremely dehydrated as a little kid, they treated me less than the best, and now I'm scared shitless). I start freaking out if I even know the needle is anywhere near me, I don't even need to see it. I can contain myself if it's absolutely necessary (like if I'm in the hospital for something) but I do my best not to put myself in that situation if it can be avoided.

Some people could call me selfish, and I don't really care, I'd rather keep a pint of blood than have a panic attack before I even see the needle.

[fireheart]

the last time I gave blood was over eight years ago. I was told the blood sample had to be discarded because of a chemical they found in it that could have been from A: Recent exercse, B: acetomenophin (sp?), or C: Liver problems. (I opted for B because I had been sick that week and I didn't think of it at the time)

So I wasn't allowed to donate blood after that. And although it's probably safe to give it a go now I really don't feel like bleeding into a bag for nothing, you know.

Nate, it's spelt acetaminophen and for the unaware, it's Panadol/Pandeine/Paracetamol basically. Doesn't thin the stomach like aspirin or ibuprofen BUT if you have liver problems, you're screwed.

I have never donated blood. Nor will I. Ever.

First - I hate needles.

Second - impalement wounds (nails, pins, needles, etc.) usually make me pass out. I know, I know, but I can cut myself to the bone (literally) and still walk to the ER (3 miles away) no problem. But if I prick my fingertip with a pin I drop. I'm like a pretty pretty princess. With facial hair. And hobbit feet. And back hair. Maybe I'm a not pretty princess...

Third - I have an incurable blood borne disease. It is communicable, can't be cured, and I'm sure as hell not passing it on if I can help it. Also, they would simply find it when they test my blood and toss the blood anyway.

What really bothers me is that every time they do a blood drive, the people go out of their way to ask me to donate. I don't know why. And they won't take 'No' for an answer. They won't take 'No, because I have a blood borne illness' for an answer either. They pester me to tell them the illness, because it probably doesn't matter. Actually, it does, trust me. They just keep pestering and won't stop (and have in fact followed me down the hall at both work and the mall) until I actually divulge the illness. At which point they respond 'Oh' then turn and walk away. No 'Sorry for stalking you like a particularly loud and obnoxious vampire' or 'Sorry for forcing you to divulge your personal medical history in a public place, hope you don't feel like a pariah now!' nope. No apologies. Ever.

At this point, even if I could give blood, I would not. Simply because of the way I've been treated by the staffers. Giving blood would just encourage the leeches to hound other people.

Bah. Sorry for the rant. Seems like all I have in me some days.

*sends hugs*

That's gotta suck.

I haven't donated blood. Mostly because of a mild fear of needles. Never had a blood test until last year either. Did OK actually.

Don't know what the requirements are overseas, but in Australia, here are the requirements for giving blood:

-Minimum age is 16. (Max is 70, but some cases may let you donate up to 81)
-Minimum weight is 50kg.
-Must have eaten or had 3-4 glasses of water/juice before donating.
-12 weeks between donations.
-If you've had an acupuncture treatment, you can if the needles were single-use.
-Not under influence of alcohol.
-5 days since antibiotics have been taken and 1 week since infection was cleared up.
-12 months since blood transfusion.
-Not breastfeeding.
-Have never had leukaemia, lymphoma, myleoma.
-No history of coronary artery disease.
-Not suffering from a cold/flu, attack of a cold sore, chronic fatigue syndrome etc.
-Not using bovine-derived insulin.
-Never used IV drugs that are not doctor prescribed.
-Never had a heart attack.
-Never had Hepatitis C.
-Not lived in the UK between 1980-1986 ("mad cow disease")
-Not suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.
-4 months after body piercing, 12 months after ear piercing if you're unsure if single-use needles were used.
-12 months after homosexual sex, having sex with a hooker.
-12 months since a tattoo.

[Seshat]

That sucks! Once when I was giving blood the girl (who I think was new) got the needle in the wrong way and had to jiggle it around inside my arm! That ***ing HURT!

I used to be easy to jab. But one time, about the same time I was starting to develop my List Of Disabilities (Of DOOM!), I was giving blood and got a sudden shock that made me feel like everything in the world was lighting up all at once. My mother (former pathology technician) tells me she's sure the phlebotomist hit a nerve.

Ever since, I've been extremely hard to jab. They always have to jiggle it around inside me. I usually get stuck two, three, or even four times. Most places end up calling out the most experienced phlebotomist to do me.

Mind you, I was very impressed with the doctor at the ER recently. He got me first go, with only a little jiggling. That's extremely rare!

I envy those of you who don't feel pain once it's in, though. For me, the presence of a needle is always painful.



All that said: I really do appreciate those of you who can give blood doing so. I'm on the ineligible list (several of my Disabilities Of Doom). Would if I could. But can't. And it's so damn important!

[Bella_Vixen]

Mom has to get her blood tested for one of her meds, and it was impossible for them to get a vein, not to mention having to use the neo-natal needles...she'd come home with some really ugly bruises, too.

Then, after years of this, a nurse finally mentions that maybe Mom should drink some water before the bloodwork. Seems like that makes the veins pop a bit.




Whenever a free blood test thing comes around I jump on it (hey, I get my blood tested for free!)...but I always forget to drink water until they tie up my arm.

[Nashida]

I used to be able to donate, but I haven't in a long while since I started taking the Pill for...women's issues. I don't think I'd be able to just because of the way the drug works (risks of clotting, etc.)

Before I started the Pill, though, my Dad and I used to donate together as a father-daughter thing at the church up the street. Used to be our special day together: go donate, have a snack and a nap afterwards, then he'd grill steaks or something to get our iron back.

Now, he's the only one who goes, and not just because of me taking the Pill. Four years ago the two of us went to donate, and after having issues when they first tried to stick me, I noticed I wasn't feeling too spiffy. I told the tech nearby, she said it was normal.

I blacked out, and the techs didn't notice at first because they were too busy chatting about something or other. My Dad blew a gasket, he was so pissed at them. Scared him half to death, too. So now when the Vamps come around, I serve as the Designated
Driver after he donates.

Bella, I've heard of the water thing before, but never paid too much notice to it. Last time I had blood drawn for a lab I had maybe 8 glasses the day prior and 2 the day of, so I was easy to stick. I'll never forget the nurse's face when she saw my vein pop out like that.

[CaroPhoenix]

I learned about the water plumping your veins thing when I was pregnant with Child Rum.

I tried to donate blood once, back in 2000. I couldn't because my temperature was over 100 degrees F. (I later came down with whatever nasty cold my parents had).

I didn't find out my blood type until I got pregnant. And then I had them test it twice! Turns out I have A Negative blood type. I was confused, but it turns out I'm the freaky mutation in my family. (My mom is A Positive, my dad is B Positive and my little sister is AB Positive and I'm the "special" one with A Negative).

My daughter is O Positive. Mr. Rum is going to have to donate blood to find out his blood type. His mother insists he's O Negative, but while 2 people with Postitive blood types can have a Negative blood type child, 2 people with Negative blood typest cannot have a child with a Positive blood type. (Though I was told by someone who knows that it's possible so I am horribly confused).