I gave blood tonight, just wondering who else donates blood. They are asking me to do plasma donations, i know that it is more useful and can be done more often than whole blood donations, but feel uncomfortable with fluids leaving my body and then being pumped back in after the cells are cycloned out.
blood/plasma donation?
- Thread starter crinkles
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I give blood platelets, which sounds like the same process, the blood is taken from one arm, the platelets are removed and the rest is returned to the other arm.
I have done this for about two years perhaps a little longer.
I understand cancer patients need the blood platelets, so its something i can do to "give back" so to speak
Can you choose to give whole blood?
I have done this for about two years perhaps a little longer.
I understand cancer patients need the blood platelets, so its something i can do to "give back" so to speak
Can you choose to give whole blood?
i used to give plasma when i was a broke college student lol.. no more though, they tore up my arms taking blood/plasma. never again unless i have to
I used to give blood. Then one time I got dizzy. I think it was 110% mental. So I quit for years. Then suddenly last year I started again, now I sign up every time the BloodMobile comes.
I still don't understand the mother from South America question, but some of the other questions are interesting.
I still don't understand the mother from South America question, but some of the other questions are interesting.
gathermewool
Site Donor 2025
I gave a double 12 months ago. It was a little weird, but felt kind of cool. The blood reentering was cold and caused a tingled at the entry point. I could only give a single 6 months ago. The lady said they weren't allowed to take doubles for some reason - sounded more like a technicality than a safety issue.
I've donated plasma twice a week for a few years straight and never had a problem just make sure you eat before hand. I used to get $35 dollars each time so that is $70 a week. I have a scar now and I had concerns about scar tissue building up on the vien or something so I've stopped but I was ok while I did it.
I used to give all the time until I was diagnosed with cancer back in 1994. Now I cannot give.
I donate plasma & whole blood as frequently as I can. I've lost track of what total volume I've given but I'd guess it's in the range of 3 gallons of whole blood and 20 or more platelet donations.
When I lived in Atlanta, the Red Cross would call me for platelets about every 3 weeks and whole blood every 2 months or so. Lifesource handled donations differently in Chicago, so I wasn't able to donate as frequently. The Red Cross does blood in Baltimore so I should be able to get back on a decent schedule.
In fact, I should see if I can donate this weekend. Thanks for the reminder, crinkles!
When I lived in Atlanta, the Red Cross would call me for platelets about every 3 weeks and whole blood every 2 months or so. Lifesource handled donations differently in Chicago, so I wasn't able to donate as frequently. The Red Cross does blood in Baltimore so I should be able to get back on a decent schedule.
In fact, I should see if I can donate this weekend. Thanks for the reminder, crinkles!
I have donated whole blood for years and the now the double red blood cells a few times. They like me to do the dbl red because I am O- and it can be put into anyone. They get 5x the benefits out of dbl red. But donating dbl red is not for the faint of heart, pun intended. It definitely cools you down and takes longer to recover your conditioning during exercise. Afterwards, make a fist and notice that the color returns to the palm of your hand very slowly.
I'll give them the one whole. I won't do plasma or the double platelet where the pump it back in. That's not a good feeling.
Nearing two gallons.
Nearing two gallons.
I have a severe fear of needles, so I don't give blood. My doctor makes me lay down on the table when he takes blood from me so I don't take a swing at him.
However, my dad has given blood for several decades. I know he's over 10 gallons, but I can't recall the exact number. Also, he never considers giving plasma. He has told me "he doesn't want anything back." I wouldn't either.
However, my dad has given blood for several decades. I know he's over 10 gallons, but I can't recall the exact number. Also, he never considers giving plasma. He has told me "he doesn't want anything back." I wouldn't either.
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For those needle-shy, there are anesthetics that apply over the needle puncture site. You rub 'em on, cover it with a plastic sheet or tape, and wait an hour. Takes 80% of the sting away. I know, I used to donate blood myself, till I developed hypertension. Now, because I take medicine to lower the BP, I'm no longer considered fit to donate.
I stopped when I seemed to keep getting phlebotomists (sp? vampires) on their first day from school, that kept digging around for a vein, then calling for help from a supervisor.
They turn around and sell it for what, $400, to cover expenses, well could they pay a few bucks more and hire people that know what they're doing?
My veins stick way out and I'm an "easy stick" at the doctors office. Bless you guys that get into the gallons clubs.
My veins stick way out and I'm an "easy stick" at the doctors office. Bless you guys that get into the gallons clubs.
Originally Posted By: bepperb
I won't do plasma or the double platelet where the pump it back in. That's not a good feeling.
Never felt anything when they were putting my blood minus platelets back in the other arm or backflushing the tubing with saline.
Originally Posted By: bigmike
I have a severe fear of needles, so I don't give blood.
I have 3 tattoos and a few piercings, so I am definitely not afraid of needles. They do get a little weirded out that I pay attention to what they're doing - they usually want you to look away. Sometimes when at a blood drive I'll try to get someone else to race me to fill the bag. I've never lost!
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I stopped when I seemed to keep getting phlebotomists (sp? vampires) on their first day from school, that kept digging around for a vein, then calling for help from a supervisor.
Never had this happen to me, but I have seen the aftermath a few times. Not pretty, but not harmful. I also have easy stick veins - my nurse relatives always love to poke around in my elbows and talk about what big 'junkie' veins I have.
I won't do plasma or the double platelet where the pump it back in. That's not a good feeling.
Never felt anything when they were putting my blood minus platelets back in the other arm or backflushing the tubing with saline.
Originally Posted By: bigmike
I have a severe fear of needles, so I don't give blood.
I have 3 tattoos and a few piercings, so I am definitely not afraid of needles. They do get a little weirded out that I pay attention to what they're doing - they usually want you to look away. Sometimes when at a blood drive I'll try to get someone else to race me to fill the bag. I've never lost!
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I stopped when I seemed to keep getting phlebotomists (sp? vampires) on their first day from school, that kept digging around for a vein, then calling for help from a supervisor.
Never had this happen to me, but I have seen the aftermath a few times. Not pretty, but not harmful. I also have easy stick veins - my nurse relatives always love to poke around in my elbows and talk about what big 'junkie' veins I have.
The needles they use at the FL Blood Centers are kind of big. If I keep up with donating, my arm is going to look like a heroine addict.
It's also kind of funny that my sister and I have to argue with my mom about us donating blood. She thinks we do it too often (which is like every 3 months). Keeps telling us we need to keep blood for ourselves.
It's also kind of funny that my sister and I have to argue with my mom about us donating blood. She thinks we do it too often (which is like every 3 months). Keeps telling us we need to keep blood for ourselves.
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