Have you ever donated blood?

[Turtle]

Poll to follow.

[InfiniteNow]

I give blood every few months before I visit with my endocrinologist, however, it's not donated. In fact, I am ostrasized from the act as the volumous depletion in my supply could cause me to lapse into coma. :doh:

 

I've tried to do it anyway a few times anyway, but they always catch me! ;) Darn those phlebotomists watching out for my well being! :eek:

[Mercedes Benzene]

I'm not old enough. :eek:

Otherwise I might.

[Guest jamongo]

I try to get to every blood drive they have.

It seems to me to be a very important civic duty. At least here where I live.

My blood type is O+.

No one asked but I thought I would just relate that info anyway.

[Zythryn]

I have never given blood although I have tried a few times.

Seems there is some regulation that will not allow them to take blood from me as I am diabetic. The reasoning I was given last time was they are not allowed because it would remove some of the insulin I have injected??

 

Seems like an old rule which isn't as big a deal as it used to be. I should go back and check again.

 

Kudos to anyone that is able to and donates blood!

[Tormod]

They don't want mine because I have astma. I how no idea why.

[InfiniteNow]

Okay people. This is very sad. Get out there, give blood tonight, then come back to hypo and vote yes!!

[Jay-qu]

lol, not many doners here at Hypo, I have frequently donated since I turned the legal age (for aus) of 16 I think Im on 5 donations now ;)

 

They love my blood, its O- plus blood is in a general short supply here.

 

I have heard rumours that you get paid to donate in some places of America, is this true?

[CraigD]

Though records are uncertain, I believe I’ve given about 100 units (about 12 gallons) of A-, cytomegalovirus negative blood since my first donation in 1978. Since I began keeping track in 2000, I’ve given 29 units. I have a lot of Red Cross t-shirts! ;)

I have heard rumours that you get paid to donate in some places of America, is this true?

Yes, though it’s a small business.

 

Although there have been a few non-Red Cross whole blood banks in the US that paid donors, to my knowledge, none remain today.

 

A number of plasma, platelet, and other blood-derived medical product companies pay donors for some part of their blood. This has been shrinking steadily as the Red Cross increases its non-whole blood collection services, particularly platelet extraction.

 

I sold my plasma a few times in late 1970s, when I was extraordinarily short of money.

[Chacmool]

Wow, excellent CraigD! I've donated only 10 units, and the few times I've tried to donate again, my blood pressure was too low.

[Boerseun]

I've donated a few times, can't remember how many.

 

But this made me think:

 

Losing a pint of blood under any other circumstances can't be a good thing, can it? So, in donating, don't you damage your bone marrow, who all of a sudden get a distress signal that a pint of your best is gone and need to be replaced ASAP? Is it healthy? I've heard plenty of opinions on this ranging from that you're doing terrible damage to yourself to it being a 'cleansing' thing.

 

I dunno. :naughty:

[minna]

Donating blood saves many lives! It saved mine! unfortunately I can't give back since I have G6PD. But as somebody who has received blood, thank you to all those who have donated!!

 

Since the human body produces blood at an average rate of 2 liters per week(2000ml). In Australia each donation is 470ml and you can only donate once every 56 days(8 weeks). Considering the rate of regeneration, I don't think there will be much, if any, damage to the human body.

[Jay-qu]

Hey minna :eek: welcome back! And Im glad to be of service, I have always thought that one day I could be helping save a friends life :)

 

Im sure there are some risks to you body Boerseun, but they do only take blood from people they know can handle it, many of my friends have tried but where not elegible.

[CraigD]

Losing a pint of blood under any other circumstances can't be a good thing, can it? … Is it healthy? I've heard plenty of opinions on this ranging from that you're doing terrible damage to yourself to it being a 'cleansing' thing.

I’m unaware of any theoretical basis or clinical observation that bone marrow or other organs can be damaged by a slight reduction in total blood volume, not any evidence of short or long term health effects, detrimental or beneficial, of blood donation.

 

It’s important to be well-hydrated before giving blood, and to have not be anemic (iron deficient). Most blood collectors (eg: the Red Cross) screen for this and other health concerns, in the form of a question about being adequately hydrated, and a blood density (“drop”) test. If you fail any of these tests, you’re not allowed to give blood at that time.

 

The major potential health risk in blood donation is the possibility of transmitting disease via a contaminated needle. Most blood collectors follow very strict protocols and use equipment designed to make cross-infection almost impossible.

 

So, in donating, don't you damage your bone marrow, who all of a sudden get a distress signal that a pint of your best is gone and need to be replaced ASAP?

That’s not how bone marrow works.

 

As long as it receives adequate nutrition via the blood, (which is not jeopardized by a slight loss of blood volume) bone marrow produces red, white, and platelet cells at a fairly constant rate. Maintaining proper amounts of these cells in the blood is not done by “throttling” the rate at which they are produced by the marrow, but by regulating how long each cell lives before receiving a hormonal “self destruct” signal. Like many physiological processes, this is complicated, fascinating, and extensively studied.

 

A few organs in the human body, notably the spleen, store excess blood cells, to be released if a signal indicating a critical shortage of these cells in the blood. This typically happens as a result of periods of intense exercise, but could also occur during less intense exercise following a blood donation. It’s not recommended that you exercise intensely after giving blood, as you may become fatigued more easily than your accustom to.

 

Most of one’s blood is water, and is replaced by mechanisms unrelated to bone marrow.

… to it [blood donation] being a 'cleansing' thing.

There’s no scientific basis for the belief that giving blood “cleanses” it.

 

Hemodialysis - passing most of your blood through special filtering devices (external or implanted) – is the only way I’m aware that you can cleans your blood. Unless you have a condition such as kidney failure, there’s not evidence of any health benefit from such artificial blood-cleaning.

[eric l]

I've donnated blood over 80 times by now, and I work as a volunteer with the local chapter of the organization that arranges the donations. The role of the volunteers is limited to reception and catering (the donators can count on a drink and sandwiches). For the medical aspects we depend on professionals (doctors, nurses and paramedics), but some of them do it on a volunteer basis too.

I hope to reach a hundred donations, but that does mean I can't miss many oportunities - if there is a lower age limit (18 years over here), there is an upper age limit as well (now at 65).

I have been refused on occasions because I had been feverish during the weeks that preceded the donation, I have even been banned for a year because I had received a blood transfusion myself. Before I could start donating again, I had to supply a clean medical sheet from my doctor, complete with blood analysis.

And so far I never had any really adverse effect from a donation.

[Chacmool]

Wow, excellent CraigD! I've donated only 10 units, and the few times I've tried to donate again, my blood pressure was too low.

I tried to donate again yesterday, but yet again my blood pressure was too low: 80/60. :lol:

[Racoon]

Yes I have..

 

But I distrust and fear needles, so I don't anymore :)

 

Thank you Hepititus and HIV,

Rac