do you donate blood?

i going to do it tomorrow. the blood people have been on my case. it's been over two years.

I used to go every two months, but when I became anemic my doctor said I have to stop for a while. Next time I get my routine bloodwork (this coming June) I'll ask if I can start donating maybe a few times a year.

I always did okay with it as long as I didn't watch the needle going in. Also, it makes SUCH A DIFFERENCE having a nurse who is good at placing the needle. The one year it was banging against the inside of my arm and I thought I might pass out the pain was so bad.

OMG, the Red Cross can be relentless!
I stopped giving because of anemia, and a bad stick as well. I was also feeling light-headed afterward. I thought I might as well let younger people take up my slack. I used to be pretty regular after I got over my fear of needles.

I have in the past, but it just makes me so lightheaded to the point of being incapacitated. No problem with needles though.

I had a lingering thought the other day about the whole process. The fact that it's almost 2025 and science/medicine hasn't developed a more advantageous method for drawing. Like the process is stuck in the dark ages and it's thought of as "well, its always been that way and why change it".

only way i’m giving blood is if i’m getting paid. i know its value.

I have once. I don't do it more than I should since my type is AB positive, which I don't think is that valuable. It's the ultimate douchebag blood type: I can receive any other type, but I can only give to others who have AB positive.

I can't due to a biologic medication I take.

They want my blood, I'm O+.

Also, I don't like large needles.

I have not. I'm not even sure if I can with all the prescriptions I'm taking. Also I'm not sure where the nearest donation center even is and I don't drive so it would need to be really close.

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Used to, but my veins are tiny & on the last occasion only half could be taken. Had to abort the visit.

Annual checkup with primary care doctor requires bloodwork. Luckily most phlebotomists can find a vein, but, occasionally, there’s someone who can’t.

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I’m here only on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. That’s why I’m here now.

Rarely. Last time was a couple years ago, there was a blood drive in a shopping mall that I was at, so I stopped and donated. I was happy to do it, but I don't go out of my way to do so.

Selfish!

I actually have the opposite problem: an iron overload condition called Hereditary Hemochromatosis ... but luckily without any of the adverse effects. Still, the doc has me do a donation two to four times a year to keep my iron levels in a normal range. When I was living in California, they had to dispose of the blood. Here in Arizona, they'll accept it, which makes me feel much better. I don't look forward to it, but I'm glad I have some motivation to do my little part.

One tip if you're not doing this often. A couple of hours before you go, make sure to stay extra hydrated. It improves the bloodflow and makes the donation go faster.

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Scarecrow: I haven't got a brain ... only straw. Dorothy: How can you talk if you haven't got a brain? Scarecrow: I don't know. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't they? Dorothy: Yes, I guess you're right.

I got over with and made an appointment in six months. I am O negative so they really want my blood.

i know a guy with that condition and he donates every 60 days. he always jokes that he is the gold mine of blood.

I have 2 different doctors who have to monitor my blood for certain conditions. I just say I'm going to the vampire blood bank.

Same here, but not that bad. Feel lightheaded for some time.


Have donated blood four times in total in my twenties. Haven't for the past decade.

This is such key advice.

Several years ago I went (on my birthday!) to donate. But my class had been on a field trip and I'd spent all day walking up and down a mountain (and climbing a fire tower twice) literally without drinking anything (because if you need the bathroom, who keeps the kids from throwing themselves down a hill?).

It was the only time I had an unsuccessful donation and it was such a bummer. And if they can't get the full donation, they just throw the blood away.

i had a bit of a headache last night. drank a lot of water. i always crave sugar after giving blood. had some reese's peanut butter cups.