I donated blood to the Red Cross last week for the first time ever. I have always had quite a fear of needles. About 15 years ago my life insurance co took a small blood sample and I darn near passed out. I have been telling myself for years that I need to donate blood and I do not know if it was the nurse or the fact that I was able to diverte my attention away from the process, but it was a very easy process. 44 minutes after I checked in my donation was complete, spent about 15 minutes at the snack area then away I went. I have never felt so good about doing something so easy, seems like we have a great demand for blood and very few people donate. I am pretty sure that I will continue to donate every 2 months from now on.
Do you donate blood?
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Originally Posted By: lugNutz
Nope. I have a fear of needles. One day I may get over it like you did!
it stung for 2 seconds, I never looked at the needle, and could not even feel it in there the whole time. I did tell the girl that I first talked to that I may pass out because I hated needles, and she got another (better) person to stick me
Nope. I have a fear of needles. One day I may get over it like you did!
it stung for 2 seconds, I never looked at the needle, and could not even feel it in there the whole time. I did tell the girl that I first talked to that I may pass out because I hated needles, and she got another (better) person to stick me
I passed the 3 gallon donation mark a few years ago.
Originally Posted By: gregk24
I do, its easy and many are in need of blood. Plus I am type O-, a universal donor.
can we be blood brothers?
. I am surprised at just how easy it was, I am curious to see what my blood type is.
I do, its easy and many are in need of blood. Plus I am type O-, a universal donor.
can we be blood brothers?
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
I passed the 3 gallon donation mark a few years ago.
nice, that is 24 donations, right?
I passed the 3 gallon donation mark a few years ago.
nice, that is 24 donations, right?
I do when I feel like it.
I'm not afraid of needles, although the scarring that they leave does bug me a little. I think I might be slightly sensitive to the sight of blood though. Not enough to make me uncomfortable or anything.
I remember when the Red Cross would come to my freshman dorm to do blood drives and there were people who passed out after losing a pint of blood. They would stand up and walk a few feet and just drop right to the floor. I was surprised to see how often it happened.
I'm not afraid of needles, although the scarring that they leave does bug me a little. I think I might be slightly sensitive to the sight of blood though. Not enough to make me uncomfortable or anything.
I remember when the Red Cross would come to my freshman dorm to do blood drives and there were people who passed out after losing a pint of blood. They would stand up and walk a few feet and just drop right to the floor. I was surprised to see how often it happened.
Never even thought about scarring, it was 8 days ago and I cannot even tell where the needle was now.
On & off for about 33 years now. O+ & CMV- so most of my blood & platelets I've been told goes to the NICU and local children's hospital. I DO hate needles, but have conquered the fear as it's for a good cause. Current lifetime donations over 25 gallons.
Congratulations on your donation and thank you for your time & willingness!
Congratulations on your donation and thank you for your time & willingness!
Besides the cookies/satisfaction, there is something in it for the donor. For years I was ashamed of myself for turning down my corpsman for a warm blood transfusion. When he asked, I got a huge premonition to say no. After that, I was on edge thinking something was going down but nothing more happened that day. I never knew why I said no. It bothered me tremendously, even though others provided the fresh blood needed.
About 20 years ago, a local high voltage electrician was electrocuted. While he was lingering in the hospital, the Red Cross came and everyone donated blood to help out. It was my first time to donate blood. The Red Cross sent me a letter and said they could not use my blood. I have markers indicating my body has fended off some pretty nasty attacks. Now I believe at some level forty some years ago, I knew I was sick. But neither the medical types nor I ever knew what was going on. My body cured itself and forgot to tell my brain. Periodically they do some extra blood work on me and I remain disease free.
If you donate blood, they screen it very carefully. It could alert you to something that is not routinely checked during annual physicals.
About 20 years ago, a local high voltage electrician was electrocuted. While he was lingering in the hospital, the Red Cross came and everyone donated blood to help out. It was my first time to donate blood. The Red Cross sent me a letter and said they could not use my blood. I have markers indicating my body has fended off some pretty nasty attacks. Now I believe at some level forty some years ago, I knew I was sick. But neither the medical types nor I ever knew what was going on. My body cured itself and forgot to tell my brain. Periodically they do some extra blood work on me and I remain disease free.
If you donate blood, they screen it very carefully. It could alert you to something that is not routinely checked during annual physicals.
sleddriver- I have a lot of catching up to go...25 gallons? wow.
The hard part was convincing myself to do it. A year ago I would have rather been a window washer on the Empire State Building than have someone stick a needle in my arm for 10 minutes. Now I realize how silly my preconceived notion was.
For anyone interested I went to redcrossblood.org and entered in my zip code and there are blood drives all the time around me. Not only was the experience not bad at all, I promise you the first time you donate you are going to feel really proud of yourself...and you should.
Good point Doil, the only selfish reason I did it was to find out my blood type. I hope they don't find anything wrong with me!
The hard part was convincing myself to do it. A year ago I would have rather been a window washer on the Empire State Building than have someone stick a needle in my arm for 10 minutes. Now I realize how silly my preconceived notion was.
For anyone interested I went to redcrossblood.org and entered in my zip code and there are blood drives all the time around me. Not only was the experience not bad at all, I promise you the first time you donate you are going to feel really proud of yourself...and you should.
Good point Doil, the only selfish reason I did it was to find out my blood type. I hope they don't find anything wrong with me!
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I used to when I was younger (at university, and early working life), until they infected my father with a dose of Golden Staf.
Was touch and go with his arm. Was two weeks lost work for a self employed bloke, and they told him that there was no compensation available...he offered to sue them, and they advised that as well as being a charity, they could outlast him financially in a suit...
Was touch and go with his arm. Was two weeks lost work for a self employed bloke, and they told him that there was no compensation available...he offered to sue them, and they advised that as well as being a charity, they could outlast him financially in a suit...
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
Originally Posted By: lugNutz
Nope. I have a fear of needles. One day I may get over it like you did!
it stung for 2 seconds, I never looked at the needle, and could not even feel it in there the whole time. I did tell the girl that I first talked to that I may pass out because I hated needles, and she got another (better) person to stick me
This was what led me to quit, the guy just dug around in my arm painfully then mumbled, "uh, can I get some help?" How about if you set me up with the phlebotomist who knew what they were doing in the first place? Jeez, it's not a teaching hospital, I don't want rookies.
My veins stick right out and are easy to tap, BTW.
They should get the cream of the crop of needle-stickers. After all, it's VOLUNTEERS walking through the door. They turn around and sell the blood "for expenses" for $400 and while I understand the ethics of not paying donors, they could make it more comfortable by using experienced help.
I know, I know, when you donate blood it's not all about you. Last time I did it I got some warm canned OJ that tasted, not surprisingly, like the solder on the can's seam.
Originally Posted By: lugNutz
Nope. I have a fear of needles. One day I may get over it like you did!
it stung for 2 seconds, I never looked at the needle, and could not even feel it in there the whole time. I did tell the girl that I first talked to that I may pass out because I hated needles, and she got another (better) person to stick me
This was what led me to quit, the guy just dug around in my arm painfully then mumbled, "uh, can I get some help?" How about if you set me up with the phlebotomist who knew what they were doing in the first place? Jeez, it's not a teaching hospital, I don't want rookies.
They should get the cream of the crop of needle-stickers. After all, it's VOLUNTEERS walking through the door. They turn around and sell the blood "for expenses" for $400 and while I understand the ethics of not paying donors, they could make it more comfortable by using experienced help.
I know, I know, when you donate blood it's not all about you. Last time I did it I got some warm canned OJ that tasted, not surprisingly, like the solder on the can's seam.
Yeah, I try to give blood at reasonable intervals. 31 units so far (just shy of 4 gallons). One memorable instance involved a nurse we'll call "Brunhilde", man did she set that needle with AUTHORITY. One shot and it was IN. The experiences have been mixed, but OK. I've taken to listening to a little calming music on my MP3 during the procedure. It would be nice if they offered a little classier snacks & beverages at the end of the process, after all I did just give blood...
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