Blood donation

TracyB,RN, RN · May 17, 2002

3 gallons of O+ here :)

I also load up on the fluids. I feel like I have been hit by a truck for 2 days, but it's well worth it.

It's funny, whenever I walk in, I get the "Oh great, here comes our O+, hard as hell to stick, but faithful donor" look. I am a phlebotomist's nightmare!!!!

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · May 17, 2002

They've taken 3 gallons from this slow bleeder!

Whisper · May 17, 2002

Wow, you guys have donated so much blood, I started donating blood as soon as I turned 17, so I have no where near donated the amount you guys have.

I was wondering the does the Blood Service in the USA send out letters trying to get you to donate more than they usually recomend. (here it is 2-3 times a year) And because I am O+ve I seem to get those letter quite often

np2b · May 17, 2002

I gave pretty regularly until I went to southern Mexico early this year, and there is a malaria risk. I'm out for the next 12 months. However, I recently DID sign up for the National Marrow Donor Program....all it takes to get registered is to fill out a short form and to get a blood draw. Once they have you, they have you in their registry until you're 61. (Registration doesn't require participation...you can drop out at any time.)

More info is here:

http://www.marrow.org/DONOR/donor_information_idx.html

CATHYW · May 17, 2002

Why, sure! I am also going to begin platelet (phoresis) donation in aabout 5 weeks, as well. You can donate platelets every 28 days, did yuo know that?

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 18, 2002

i gave like clockwork in canada but in the usa they have too many damn rules. you must read the list every time you go and if you don't take enough time theymake you read it again. now at my centre they have a 4page read about testing for hiv with a new technology, must read it every time (arghhh) they need the card every time, even though it doesn't have any info they use, or even though i know my own name etc, and they ask for picture id as well. the last time i was standing waiting to donate and they said i wasn't allowed to stand there and had to stand "here" 6" away. so i did.

i used to be a faithful donor, now i have to psych myself up and i go twice a year or so, with gritted teeth. what if they had a streamlined procedure for those that have been doing this say, more than 10 years?? i think i've figured out that i can't donate when sick, or if i recently used heroin. after all we go to help people and wouldn't knowingly donate dangerous blood.

or how about the automaton nurses ("what's your race?") duh, ("put this pillow under your head") i moved it because i'm comfortable this way ("don't look at the needle when i stick you...i can't do it unless you are not looking") please.

or stop asking questions that are none of your business ("do you have a job? where do you work? what dod you do there?")

or ditch the 15min incarceration post stick (i've been doing this a long time, i'm not going to get sick) and the force feeding (i ate before donating like you told me and i'm not hungry)

i say let them run dry and then they can pay me to put up with that crap.

canoehead knows she is a cynical unsympathetic ***** and doesn't need any constructive comments, thanks

semstr · May 18, 2002

I'd love to donate, but I weigh under 50 kg and they won't take me. I am O+, I told them to take at least a small pediatric bag of me, but no change!!

Take care and keep it on, Renee

RN-PA, RN · May 18, 2002

Canoehead, the "hassle factor" related to blood donations is a real problem. In our area, they've been trying to expedite the process by making appointments so folks don't have to wait so long. If I haven't made an appointment, I try to go when the site first opens; I used to go when it seemed all but two phlebotomists were taking their dinner breaks around 4:00 and spent a lot of time waiting.

I agree that the crazy paperwork is a hassle, too. Almost every time I donate, it seems like there're some new questions and forms and procedure. The waste of paper as the forms are continually changed by the Red Cross over the years must be incredible. I just always try to allow myself lots of time and accept all the hassles to be able to donate blood, but I'm sure these things keep potential donors like yourself away, which is a shame.

cbs3143 · May 18, 2002

The Red Cross called me up to ask me to donate a couple of years ago. Set up a time and everything for me to go there. I could handle that. I'm a gallon donor who got out of the habit of going. Actually, I volunteered for the Red Cross for several years and just got tired of being screwed over by their staff two or three times a year. Anyway, I showed up at the appointed time and told the receptionist that I had an appointment. I was told that they don't make appointments and I could get in line behind the 20 some others waiting to donate. I told her not to call people up and set up appointments if they don't honor them and walked out the door. I was definitely not a Red Cross fan before the 9-11 mess, but was not surprised by all the fallout.

shay · May 19, 2002

I have donated 6 times. I have passed out immediately after donation 6 times. I eat before, I weigh enough (TRUST me), and my hgb is fine. I'm just a needle weenie.

I donated after 9/11 after a 7 year hiatus. I passed out, then woke up and promptly hurled into a paper bag. How dignified.

Needless to say, I AIN'T DONATIN' ANY MORE. MY BODY DOESN'T LIKE IT.

James Huffman · May 19, 2002

Rustyhammer writes:

I almost hate to admit it but I have never donated.

You may find this strange but I hate to get poked!

I can give shots all day long but when they are pointed towards me I feel like I'm going to pass out!!

I have been teased and called a wimp and a woosey and many don't understand it.

I'm too embarrassed to give blood.

Can you imagine a nurse passing out giving blood?

Rusty, you'd be shocked to know how many nurses hate getting poked. Don't let it bother you.

Remember, there are two "you's": the professional you, and the personal you. Never confuse them. It's the job of the professional you to (or part of the job, anyway) to poke. That's not the job of the personal you. And if you don't like getting poked, you are certainly in good company.

This was brought home vividly to me once when I examined a local surgeon: a real blood and guts, internal guy. He asked me if he could lay down on his examining table. "I tend to pass out at the sight of blood," he related. I didn't ask him the obvious question: your blood or someone else's?

Jim Huffman, RN

http://www.networkfornurses.com

KimRN22 · May 19, 2002

Hello!!! I donate on a regular basis. I agree, it makes you feel like you are doing something worthwhile !!!! Saving a life!!!