Blood donors - show of hands? If not, why not?

[GrayWolf]

Not allowed due to being English and obviously having mad cow disease. FFS.

I do think being an organ donor should be opt out though rather than opt in.

Ditto...... I was a donor in the UK and I am A positive, one of the types they are always asking for........

[joeyy]

I'm a regular blood donor. My dad (also a regular blood donor, and motorcyclist) took me for the first time year before last.
Been there every three months since.
Lucky I guess, because my shifts are flexible enough for me to make appointments.

Can't think of a single reason not to be a donor, really.

[Berries]

I always have to bring up that I was in UK for 3 weeks during that period, but the limit is 6 months.

I thought the Aids comment was aimed at the South Afrikaans, but then it does explain a couple of things.

Actually I think the scary CJD thing has lapsed now, no?

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Not in my case.

[Gremlin]

I can't stand needles actually, it's the worst part. I really only go for the Vegemite crackers...

No problem with the needles... I've even watched as they go in. One time the nurse let me hold the bag of blood after. That was interesting, still warm of course.

The worst part is pulling the goddamn pressure patch off. I remember the first time I had one, when they switched from the coloured bands. I was constantly pressing it back on throughout the day, convinced it wouldn't hold.

I paid for it royally that night...

[caspernz]

I'm a regular blood donor. My dad (also a regular blood donor, and motorcyclist) took me for the first time year before last.
Been there every three months since.
Lucky I guess, because my shifts are flexible enough for me to make appointments.

Can't think of a single reason not to be a donor, really.

Good on ya mate

Seems there's quite a few reasons why folks can't donate. Notice I said can't, as opposed to won't...

Weight, blood pressure, medication (legal or illegal), having lived in the wrong country for too long, worked as a porn-star for a while, abstaining after getting a tattoo, all being among the common reasons why some can't.

Good to hear there's a few who have the same outlook as me though, and some feedback from those who've needed it

[miSTa]

O- whole blood donor here. Always get a phone call asking me to come in, nice to know my blood is in demand.

I enjoy the "feeling" of needle's penetration deep into my skin.... Ohhhh yeah, baby... That hit the spot...

What hits the spot is the needle hitting a nerve! There's a experience you don't want, trust me.

[Spazman727]

No problem with the needles... I've even watched as they go in. One time the nurse let me hold the bag of blood after. That was interesting, still warm of course.

The worst part is pulling the goddamn pressure patch off. I remember the first time I had one, when they switched from the coloured bands. I was constantly pressing it back on throughout the day, convinced it wouldn't hold.

I paid for it royally that night...

When you tale the little round plasters off it looks like you've been attacked by an octopus or something.

[caspernz]

No problem with the needles... I've even watched as they go in. One time the nurse let me hold the bag of blood after. That was interesting, still warm of course.

The worst part is pulling the goddamn pressure patch off. I remember the first time I had one, when they switched from the coloured bands. I was constantly pressing it back on throughout the day, convinced it wouldn't hold.

I paid for it royally that night...

Oooohh, I bet you only made that mistake once? My rule of thumb is to take the armband off after about 3 hours and just leave the little plaster on. If the hole ain't closed by then...no amount of pushing on it and aggravating the horrendous injury is gonna fix it...

I must admit that on one occasion I had a few tears in my eyes when a trainee nurse poked the needle straight thru the vein. So I let them jab the other arm. That's about the only downside I've ever had.

[Oblivion]

I personally would, but I'm underweight ( I dont see that changing anytime soon) , and have a case of haemophobia. I cant stand the sight of my own blood. Let alone anyone elses

[Kickaha]

Plasma is something you can do fortnightly,

I've asked about doing it but they didn't want to, something to do with me being O- and only wanting me to do whole blood

I thought the Aids comment was aimed at the South Afrikaans,

It was, I had a year stand down when I had a South African partner even though she was willing to undeggo any testing they wanted

No problem with the needles... I've even watched as they go in.

I do that every time, some of the nurses don't seem to like it though

O- whole blood donor here. Always get a phone call asking me to come in, nice to know my blood is in demand..

Yeah same, or rung and asked if I'll be around at high demand times and can be on standby

[hellokitty]

I'm not allowed

Weight is under threshold and I'm always anaemic. Also have low blood pressure.

I used to be a blood donor as often as they would let me, but I haven't been allowed to do to to chronically low iron levels. I can however still donate platelets which I do occasionally. Work gets in the way though so its not very often.

I ticked organ donor on my licence though.

I am a donor too, but as I have tattoos and piercings they don't want me for blood - plus I have iron injections so that rules me out. I have low blood pressure too but never even thought about that being an issue.

[Maha]

I gave blood once, it ended up costing me 6 months loss of licence and $900 fine so stuff that, never again.

[chanceyy]

yup

[Road kill]

I've given blood about a dozen times over the last thirty years.
Should do more,,but I'm a slack bugger.
Will ask when the van vists the mill next.

[p.dath]

I got a bit over 10 donations, and then got diagnosed with a cortisol deficiency, and now I'm not allowed to donate again. Never mind.