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Hi all,
So there was a Blood Drive the other day, and I gave a pint and got a free beer for my troubles (it's probably a way to get more people in prison with a larger alcohol to blood ratio or something), and lots of chocolate. I was wondering whether or not (m)any of ye give blood, and perhaps what kinds are ye. I'm A+
I once did a blood drive for work...
I received no beer. Damn Irish.
>> I received no beer. Damn Irish.
What else would you expect? The need some way to get our blood!
EDIT:: Olé, 900 posts
[GROSSLY STEREOTYPICAL]Maybe some shamrocks...? A nice leather belt with a golden clasp?[/GROSSLY STEREOTYPICAL]Quote:
Originally Posted by twomers
Well they were offering Coffee too .... I didn't ask, it may have been Irish ... There were some leprechauns there too you know.
I'm very bad. I think I only gave blood twice.
Have no problems with it. I just either don't remember, or don't feel like it when I see one of those moving(?) blood banks.
I feel good with myself though. Just 3 months ago, the news said Portugal had a surplus of blood and was giving it away to other countries. So... I'm not needed.
I've given about 12-15 pints of whole blood, and recently started donating with a pheresis machine. I think I'm going back to giving whole blood, because last time I gave by pheresis I felt really weird.
AB+ here
What's a pheresis machine? What do you mean by whole blood?
I've only given it twice too. I think I'll give it more frequently. Hey, do they let ye look when they're sticking in the needle?
I give blood as often as I can. I have to admit that I'm a terrible weeny when it comes to needles; I come close to passing out just about every time. B- here.
Whole blood is just blood. When you bleed, that's whole blood. A pheresis machine separates your blood into platelets and white cells and plasma and lilliputians and whatever else is in your blood, and then it pumps the stuff they're not using back into you.Quote:
Originally Posted by twomers
Yeah, they let me look when they stick in the needle, but I usualyl don't. It lost it's "cool" effect awhile ago.
I look not because it's "cool" but because I prefer to know when it's coming.
They think I'll faint or scream when I wanted to look ... hmmm, perhaps when I've done some more they'll realise I'm not afraid of needles.
That machine sounds kinda cool, Govtchez! How long does that take to get your pint?
I also got a pen and a badge for doing it the second time :) I'm hoping I'll get a cert telling me that I'm a good boy the next time!
> I look not because it's "cool" but because I prefer to know when it's coming.
I was just kidding around. C'mon, how cool can giving blood be? :p
> That machine sounds kinda cool, Govtchez! How long does that take to get your pint?
It depends on what they're taking and what you want to give. Based on your past history, they give you a few options of stuff to give. Last time it took like an hour and a half, the time before that was about 45 minutes. The last time I did it, my calcium level dropped and my lips started feeling tingly. The nurse gave me a handfuls (seriously, like 20) antacids with calcium to chew on. It made me feel better, but man did that taste like ass.
It's usually really quick for me to give blood (about 5-8 minutes), so I think I'm going to go back to giving whole blood. My body seems to like that more.
But can't they do the whole extraction thing after they have taken your blood?
Yeah probably. I don't know why they do it this way, but I don't know anything about "blood extraction technology" or whatever the hell you'd call it.
edit: They would get more this way. A pint of blood probably has a lot less platelets than what they can get if they do it this way.
Gave for the first time 3 weeks ago and I intend to continue. Also found out that I'm B+. Woot.
Is that B for Bacon?
It just might be :(
I voted no ...
Reason being:
I am not allowed to since I could still have some scary diseases floating around in my blood ( malaria and other unpleasant things ).
Actually it's not like I still have some parasites in me but rules about donating blood are very strict here, so I think I have to wait another year or two before I could start donating blood.
Did you spend a lot of time in Africa or something?
Around one year approx ( africa yes ), although I dont have any malaria according to the last blood test it could very well be that some of the parasites are still "hibernating" inside my liver or something. Its only when they become active ( when you start having fever / muscle pain or whatever effect it has on you ) that one can detect them by taking a blood sample.
At least thats what I understood from the doctor his explanation :).
I can't give blood, I am a favist.
[edit]
[off topic] I can't believe some countries send infected blood to other countries.
I'm only 16, I can't give blood! :D
Give it a year, at least where I come from. I always thought you had to be 18, but nope, I found out I could've started a year ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sentral
You're going to give, right?
I meant to start giving when I was 18 (I think that's the age limit here's 18), then 22 months after that date I remembered, so there we go, and 7 months after that date, I did it again.
Siav, what's favist?
I can't give blood because I don't weigh enough, apparently.
I can't give blood because of something I had when I was a baby. I'm not sure what it's called.
How little do you have to way for that to be an issue? I haven't been told about it, but I probably fall into that category too. I'm 6ft tall and only 120 pounds. Not much blood to spare, i'm afraid.Quote:
I can't give blood because I don't weigh enough, apparently.
Edit: i'm probably not old enough either. :(
That doesn't sound possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by psychopath
Ah, stop talking about pounds! Nobody knows how much that weighs! Stone/Kg's etc. psychopath, I always assumed you were older. I should really look at people's profiles before I judge what I think their age is.
According to the American Red Cross Donor Elegibility page:
For those of you who need to know, 110 lbs is about 50 kilos. But if you don't know how much a pound weighs, then your country has different guidelines possibly, so ignore it.Quote:
You must weigh at least 110 Lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Blood volume is in proportion to body weight. Donors who weight less than 110Lbs may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood as well as those who weigh more than 110Lbs. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you are using. You can discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.
underage and dont weight enough =(
even if i could, i probably still wouldnt
dont like the needle and my bones made mines and im keeping it
might change my mind in a few years though
The first time I did it, the needle-size surprised me :D wasn't too bad once they jabbed it in though. You should. It's not all that painful. Also, you get to hear about (or at least I did), how you should never go on dates with someone who takes your blood. The lady who was taking mine the other day said that she went on a couple of dates with people who donated their blood, and they were all crrazy, and didn't do anything but talk about blood. I said bad luck, and she said if she sees one of them again, she'll puncture an artery of theirs ... so for health and personal reasons, be warned :D
huh... what is there about blood to talk about?
I used to donate blood. but only until they ruptured my vein by not knowing what they were doing....so since then....no thank you! ITS MINE ALL MINE!!!!!!
Its a genetic problem that yields a kind of defection in blood cells. I should not eat Aspirin and many other chemical compounds.Quote:
Siav, what's favist?
My Dad had some trainee nurse take his a couple of sessions ago and completely messed it up. She did something to his nerves inside his elbow and it really bothers him now; shooting pains etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by biosninja
Not quite the same as a ruptured vein though.
She was a bit of a retard. I mean she missed his vein but instead of taking the needle out and starting again, she sort of wiggled it around.
Unfortunatly, it is. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by SlyMaelstrom
Yeah! Don't judge me! :mad: (j/k)Quote:
Originally Posted by twomers
But you can keep assuming i'm older anyway. Makes me feel smart when people think I'm older than I really am. :p
I used to think the same...but ...Quote:
Originally Posted by psychopath
one day you'll wish people would think you are younger then you really are.
Im already older then 1/5 of a century :s and I'm feeling old already.
> one day you'll wish people would think you are younger then you really are.
I wish this wasn't true
I agree... but I think Gangly is being a bit of a dramaqueen saying that at 20. :p
I donate blood every 2 months since I turned 16 (You can get something signed from your parents to donate before you are 17) The AMR building I go to has Krispy Kream Doughnuts delivered fresh every day at 9am and Noon, they donate them. So that has been an ensentive but really, donating blood has never affected me so I feel like I should always donate when I can.
Over here is's a max of every three months :/
Sorry for the offtopic but here goes:
No actually I don't ( as in I don't feel that way ). Im 20 , I might live upto 70 or so...Quote:
Originally Posted by SlyMaelstrom
<old man gibberish ahead!!!>
So that means I have already completed 2/7 of my life. the next 4/7 I'll spend working, leaving me 1/7 to enjoy the gigantic amount of money I might have saved during my life.
Too bad that at the age of 60 - 70 I will probably not be able to do all the things I can do now at 20. But right now at the age of 20 ( soon 21 ... ) I don't have the money to do all these things...
But that's just how life goes I guess, nothing to do about this, unless you have some very wealthy parents that give you money as if it were toilet paper, or you win some kind of lottery.
</old man>
Old man, take a look at yourself, I'm a lot like you were.
Best Young'un ever. Why don't we accommodate an ASL kinda thing to this thread too :rolleyes:
And it can be even "more" fun...
We sleep one third of our life. So we are awake 9 months out of an year. Since GanglyLamb is 20 and life expectancy is around 80 years. He can live for more 60.
But only enjoy 40. He already lived the equivalent of half that much. And I bet it felt it passed in a flash.
:( Mario F. you really make me feel bad...
I should pay more attention to this line in the rules.Quote:
Originally Posted by Forum Guidelines
One third of 12 months is 3 months?
If you want to feel better Gangly, consider the time you've spent up until now as preparing you for the rest of your life. You are just now starting what will be some of the most interesting years of your life.
Or you can just be some little emo wuss saying "oh god i'm 20 i might as well stay home and watch tv all day"
[sarcasm]
>>Or you can just be some little emo wuss saying "oh god i'm 20 i might as well stay home and watch tv all day"
Hey, I don't critcise how you live!!!
[/sarcasm]
My blood is my own, and that's the way it's staying - never donated. Nothing against it, and I'm not particularly squeemish of needles, but I get light headed when I get a nose bleed, let alone give a pint! There's been a couple of blood drives in college, but I hadn't eaten properly whatever days they were on, so I couldn't. Twomers can vouch for me on this: I probably need all the blood I've got - I'm of "slight" build!
RichieT lies not. He sleeps like a baby when he has a few pints of JD in him ... then we have to climb in the upstairs window :/
> One third of 12 months is 3 months?
I'm that good.
You just robbed Gangly one more month per year. Shame on you!
12/3 in octal = 3... in integer math that is.
oh god what have i done :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Mario F.
Yes govt, normally after this year I am graduated ( and it'll be a milestone for me so indeed life is just beginning ) , although I like student life too much. So maybe I'll end up studying another extra 2 years or so...
So can we get back onto the blood issue please, im losing months / years with every offtopic post.
I give blood whenever they come on campus. I recently hit my gallon mark with one organization. Though I know I gave several times to the red cross. I know I can give more often then I do, its just a matter of timing really.
And govtcheez you are such a leech being able to take everyone's blood like that ;)
> And govtcheez you are such a leech being able to take everyone's blood like that
I know, I'm totally a bloodist. I only give to the people of the same type as me, but my greedy ass will take from everyone.
> its just a matter of timing really.
Yeah, same here. With the pheresis thing, by the time I fill out the paperwork, a seat opens up, and I give, there's like at least 2 hours out the window. If I could just get on a frequent donors list or something ("I swear to god I haven't had sex with men in exchange for heroin. Do I have to answer that every time?"), I could be in and out in a half hour and everyone would be happy.
> I only give to the people of the same type as me, but my greedy ass will take from everyone.
I always thought that O was the magic blood type, but apparently that's not it.
Is there any chance O would drop out of the gene pool so they won't have to talk about it on commercials anymore?
I know what you mean Govt. I am happy I no longer have to explain what I left the country in the last 3 years for. The best donation I had was at a blood drive for the local rock station. I got there early and there was absolutly no waiting. I think I was in and out in 40 minutes.
I would do the pheresis thing except for two reasons:
1) You can do it more often, which means more needles.
2) I hate, loath, despise, and abhore needles.
Except the people that get AIDs from the blood of some guy who forgot to mention his recent heroine addiction after he got his doner card. :/Quote:
Originally Posted by Govtcheez
That is why they take the 3 vials of extra blood to test for stuff like STDs
Yeah... but they still feel the need to ask. It's just an extra level of checking. It's a supply and demand thing... if they felt they needed more blood faster... then they would offer frequent donor cards for people who refuse to give blood regularly because they don't want to take the time. Right now, I guess they feel like it's coming in at a good enough rate for them to force people to be very sure that their blood is clean. I can't blame them, but then I'm no blood donor expert.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wraithan
True... but last time I checked homosexuals aren't the only ones with AIDs. And I feel that those questions are way out of line and should be removed. I donate blood only because I don't feel that punishing those who need the blood is appropriate.
Well... regardless of the fact that it can be transmitted through straight sex, the fact is it's still more predominate in drug users and homosexuals. I wouldn't say they're too far out of line... I'm not sure of the actual wording on the forms, but I'm sure they're fairly sensitive about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wraithan
There is the idea that if the Red Cross wasn't explicit and there was any room for misunderstanding on the forms, then people could answer mistakenly and misrepresent themselves.
Also, I don't really get it. Homosexuals should be comfortable with answering the gay questions on the form.
> I always thought that O was the magic blood type, but apparently that's not it.
O- is the universal donor, so it can be given to anyone. AB+ (me!) is the universal receptor, so I can receive blood from anyone. I can only give to other AB+ people.
> Homosexuals should be comfortable with answering the gay questions on the form.
I'm not gay, and I'm not uncomfortable answering the questions. It's just annoying that I have to answer the same stupid questions every one of the 15+ plus times I've donated. There are certain things that I can safely say "I will never do", and a lot of those questions on there fit that category.
Eh-heh... Never say never...Quote:
Originally Posted by Govtcheez
What exactly is the diference between answering a gender question and a sexual orientation question? Beats me. Why it would annoy anyone puzzles me even more.
I wish they asked my sexual orientation more often. Like when I go buy groceries or buy a bus ticket. Maybe then it becomes so common, nobody will give a damn anymore when the question is made in a context where it actually makes sense. Like when giving blood.
Are you planning on eating that zucchini or...Quote:
Originally Posted by Mario F.
I will never stop loving you :)Quote:
Originally Posted by SlyMaelstrom
> Are you planning on eating that zucchini or...
Exactly my point.
I would eat the succhini. But someone may find more interesting applications. Let's face it, eating it is not very imaginative. 9/2 weeks also has its educational value.
But seriously, if we simply ignored all the prejudice and be more open (pun not intended) about these matters, they would simply not bother us that much. Answering a question where I am asked if I'm gay, would then be as simple as buying a zucchini. As it should be.
I am not insulted personally by it, I don't care if they are asking ME if I am gay. But they ask that question without real reason since even if the majority of AIDs carriers are gay, that does NOT make the majority of gay people AIDs carriers. They will not allow you to donate (atleast at my local AMR) if you answer yes to having sex with atleast one man since 1976.
That. Is. Wrong.
You cannot pretend you know more than the World Health Organization, Wraithan. The question is pertinent. Homosexuals, particularly of the male gender, are a risk group. As are drug consumers. The vast majority of the world population doesn't have AIDS. It doesn't stop the fact AIDS can attack anyone of us. There are risk groups. And its important to know if that particular bag is from a risk group or not.
Mario's right. Not every African or person who's visited Africa has AIDS. Not every needle user has it. Not every gay man has it. Those groups are all at a higher risk for it, though.
>> There are certain things that I can safely say "I will never do", and a lot of those questions on there fit that category.
But that's you, Gov, not everyone. I completely agree with you on your points, but they have to be SURE that the blood they're getting is safe. Suppose someone gave blood, and it turned out they had AIDS or something (or HIV or whatever), and someone got that blood and it was transferred to them ... what would that say to the people who get blood? I certainly would have no confidence with them.
If you were born in London between the years of '85 and '90 (or something), you aren't allowed to give blood in Ireland ... I think it's to do with CJD, but I'm not certain if the person who I asked was being completely !sarcastic.
> If you were born in London between the years of '85 and '90 (or something), you aren't allowed to give blood in Ireland ... I think it's to do with CJD, but I'm not certain if the person who I asked was being completely !sarcastic.
Same thing in the US. If you've spent a lot of time in England, you can't give.
> But that's you, Gov, not everyone
Well, yeah, but I don't care about everyone. I care about wasting my time :p
>> Well, yeah, but I don't care about everyone. I care about wasting my time :p
And yet you insisted on using a pheresis machine :rolleyes:
I didn't say I was consistent.