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

[rustyrobot]

Have donated 20+ times, usually drop in whenever they call... and the boss lets me do it on work time (joy of working for a hospital).

All you organ donors realise that your body parts are just as likely to go to a med student or scientist as a sick person right? Who knows maybe they'll use some of your body tissue when they start human cloning experiments and you can live to ride again!

[munster]

AB- & off to do donation 96 today.

About half & half whole blood & plasma. Currently donating plasma every 2 weeks.

[Hawk]

used to, not now, they don't want mine. They told me to be selfish with the drugs in my blood.

[SMOKEU]

and have a case of haemophobia. I cant stand the sight of my own blood. Let alone anyone elses

Don't be a pussy, haven't you every drank your own blood when you phuck yourself up and start bleeding?

[Brett]

O+ donor...donate as often as I can/remember to...which has only been twice this year sadly. Happy to keep doing it as long as I am able to, it is a very easy way to help someone who might desperately need it. I looked at donating platelets, however they said my count was on the low side and not the best idea...dunno why...I feel fine (now). What I don't get is why they will take 470mm from someone weighing 50kgs (min weight according to their website) but not a double shot from me weighing 100kg.
Another upside, donating blood is supposedly good for you.

[caspernz]

O+ donor...donate as often as I can/remember to...which has only been twice this year sadly. Happy to keep doing it as long as I am able to, it is a very easy way to help someone who might desperately need it. I looked at donating platelets, however they said my count was on the low side and not the best idea...dunno why...I feel fine (now). What I don't get is why they will take 470mm from someone weighing 50kgs (min weight according to their website) but not a double shot from me weighing 100kg.
Another upside, donating blood is supposedly good for you.

Good to see so many fellow riders doing their thing. Plenty of valid reasons why some can't donate.

Yeah Brett, I was tried out for the platelet thing myself some years back, same deal, only had enough for myself with not much to spare. Typical, I am Dutch ater all
I've wondered about the 470 ml max of whole blood as well, after all the plasma is done on a weight chart where at my 95 kgs they take 800 ml of plasma at a time.

[wysper]

They won't let me any more, apparently my blood pressure is too high.

[Parlane]

I'm not allowed

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

They won't let me any more, apparently my blood pressure is too high.

If we combined the blood of these two people the blood pressure would be... juuuuuuussssssst right.

[img src=goldilocks_drinking_blood.jpeg][/img]

[wysper]

If we combined the blood of these two people the blood pressure would be... juuuuuuussssssst right.

The weird part is if my Doctor takes it or I test it at home with my father in laws blood pressure thingy it is fine!

[PirateJafa]

I donate plasma every fortnight, and would highly recommend that anyone drop in to their local donation clinic and ask about doing the same!

Pay it forward.

[caspernz]

The weird part is if my Doctor takes it or I test it at home with my father in laws blood pressure thingy it is fine!

Maybe the nurse taking the blood pressure is a distraction to you?

There's this symptom referred to as 'white coat hypertension' that afflicts some. I know it does that to me, for my own BP monitor reads lower than any medical professionals...

Oh and don't confuse it with 'big boob hypertension' as that has different symptoms

[nodrog:Me]

I've been doing plasma donations since early this year.....

What a good cunt, can I have a 50inch?

[Badjelly]

I donated blood for 15 years, initially whole blood then plasma, once per month. They liked my plasma because I had good immunity: it must have been my wholesome lifestyle. In the last few years my donations were limited by various health issues, none particularly serious in my opinion, but the blood-suckers are very cautious about that sort of thing. Eventually we hit a show-stopper, so I've been stood down. I stalled at 97 donations. A couple of months after I finally stopped I got a letter from Jerry Mateparae, which was nice.

[PirateJafa]

Do you know how many time you have to give blood before your'e allowed to give plasma, or can you just ask to do it?

Just ask them, they're very keen for more plasma and platelet donors. Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to two years as well, which helps them keep a buffer against unexpected high-need times.

Just ask. Nothing to do with how many times you've given.

And I agree that the opening times can be a hassle for a normal working week person. I'm on shifts so I have the freedom, or should I say no excuse...

The Auckland clinics stay open late twice a week I believe (Tuesdays and maybe Sundays?)

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

Plasma is close to the opposite of whole blood donation. I'm AB+ which means that although I'm a universal recipient, very few people can use my whole blood. However they can me every fortnight for my plasma as apparently I'm a universal donor as far as plasma goes. Not too sure how that works, but I'm glad to be helping someone somewhere.

[MadDuck]

I used to on a regular basis. But then went to the UK for a working (drinking) holiday and on my return they said I couldnt donate anymore.

I did try to convince them I am truely NOT mad and didn't do anything to a cow but they don't believe me.