Poll: Are you a blood donor?

[maninahat]

Something odd about the NHS blood donations: they claimed that less than 2 out of a 100 people feint during one of their blood donating sessions. I call shinanigans, as low numbers will be less to do with the way they conduct their sessions and more to do with the fact that those people who are afraid of blood and needles tend not to go to blood donor sessions in the first place.

 

[Eleima]

I give my blood as often as possible, although haven't been able to lately: traveled in a country with malaria, so they bar you for 4 months, and before that I had anemia, so they won't take your blood for 6 months. As soon as my "probation" period is over, I'm going back though. We really have short supplies of blood, and donors are needed as often as they can go.

I don't see much of a point to bothering. I'm AB+, so I can get anybodys blood, but only other AB+ people won't die (or at least get sick) from mine. I get that blood transfusions are useful and such, I really do, but I'd be like the loser who brings a bag of trailmix to a potluck dinner and thus would actually feel bad wasting the nurses time+equipment on even tapping my veins.

Actually, that's a misconception. Just because a blood type is rarer doesn't mean that that type of blood isn't in demand. Although you can give O blood to an AB person, you should, as often as possible, try to give the same type of blood to the receiver. And since there aren't a lot of people with AB+, e have even less AB+ blood available when we need it. So actually, you should be going in to give your blood, even more than any other person.

 

[Vrex360]

I'm not, but my father is.
He donates blood every six months.

 

[Bigeyez]

I've done it a few times whenever the blood bus is at my college and I happen to be there. I'm an listed as an organ donor as well.

 

[Abedeus]

You could replace the "My religion forbids" to "I could, but I can't because of various reasons". Then I could vote and the poll would be valid.

I would be glad to donate, but I'm not sure I'm eligible - 18 in a month, but I have a dormant asthma and active allergy. But I am O+, so my blood could help... everyone except for the Rh+ people. And my morphology is perfect, plus it would help with my slight hypertension by lowering the amount of blood to flow.

I don't see much of a point to bothering. I'm AB+, so I can get anybodys blood, but only other AB+ people won't die (or at least get sick) from mine. I get that blood transfusions are useful and such, I really do, but I'd be like the loser who brings a bag of trailmix to a potluck dinner and thus would actually feel bad wasting the nurses time+equipment on even tapping my veins.

That would be true, except that there is a limited supply of blood. If all AB+ people say "bah, I'm so rare, it's not useful at all", then soon all AB+ who need blood but can't get it (no O blood or AB left in your city's bank) will just die.

Also, mixing a negative and positive blood is a LOT more lethal than just a post-transfusion sickness. Clots, internal hemorrhages... You don't want that.

Actually, that's a misconception. Just because a blood type is rarer doesn't mean that that type of blood isn't in demand. Although you can give O blood to an AB person, you should, as often as possible, try to give the same type of blood to the receiver. And since there aren't a lot of people with AB+, e have even less AB+ blood available when we need it. So actually, you should be going in to give your blood, even more than any other person.

Exactly. O- goes to the AB- most of the time, since AB- is extremely rare and only O- and AB- can help them. O- is in the biggest need, then O+, AB- and AB+. As and Bs are not that needed, but still useful.


edit: Crap, I confused mixing blood types with mixing Rh-/Rh+. Still, it's bad.

 

[Eleima]

Exactly. O- goes to the AB- most of the time, since AB- is extremely rare and only O- and AB- can help them. O- is in the biggest need, then O+, AB- and AB+. As and Bs are not that needed, but still useful.
edit: Crap, I confused mixing blood types with mixing Rh-/Rh+. Still, it's bad.

Let's just forget the Rh factor for a second, since it's just confusing (although it's really, really important, and you really want to take it into account, especially where women are concerned).
You are correct regarding all the different types and who can receive what. What I was saying however, is that you want to try to respect the different types as much as possible when doing a blood transfusion. AB being the rarest, we still want to have AB blood on hand when it's needed. Sure O blood can help AB, but if you use up all the O blood to help an AB patient, then you end up in a pickle when an O person comes along. Just because an AB can O blood, doesn't mean that AB can opt out for giving blood, it's a very slim excuse.
In one sentence: All blood types are welcome and needed.

 

[Paksenarrion]

I only donate blood under peer pressure.

best friend: I'm gonna donate blood today! Wanna come with? Sure you do! *drags me*
me: *clings to fixture* FFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

 

[mokes310]

Yes, I gave blood a few days ago actually.

As did I. Although, since I'm O+, I have to give a double-red cell thing and for some reason, it makes a 200lbs guy like me a little light-headed...

 

[Marter]

No, but I will start giving blood in 3 months once I turn 17.

I already have to get a blood test every month due to health reasons, so I don't see why I shouldn't donate as well.

 

[Hurr Durr Derp]

I'm scared of needles, so... no.

They can harvest my delicious organs when I'm dead, but no way in hell is anyone gonna poke me with needles unless it's absolutely necessary.

 

[Abedeus]

Exactly. O- goes to the AB- most of the time, since AB- is extremely rare and only O- and AB- can help them. O- is in the biggest need, then O+, AB- and AB+. As and Bs are not that needed, but still useful.
edit: Crap, I confused mixing blood types with mixing Rh-/Rh+. Still, it's bad.

Let's just forget the Rh factor for a second, since it's just confusing (although it's really, really important, and you really want to take it into account, especially where women are concerned).
You are correct regarding all the different types and who can receive what. What I was saying however, is that you want to try to respect the different types as much as possible when doing a blood transfusion. AB being the rarest, we still want to have AB blood on hand when it's needed. Sure O blood can help AB, but if you use up all the O blood to help an AB patient, then you end up in a pickle when an O person comes along. Just because an AB can O blood, doesn't mean that AB can opt out for giving blood, it's a very slim excuse.
In one sentence: All blood types are welcome and needed.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I said before. People can't say "oh, you can just use O type for everything, I'm too rare to help".

 

[Mechsoap]

give it whenever i can to help other people in pain, started on it when i was 18

 

[era81]

I have donated about a gallon of blood,not all at the same time.

 

[leeloodallasmultipass]

the commonwealth of Australia's Red cross blood system wont allow me to give blood because i lived in the UK between the years of 1985-1995... aparantly i might have Mad cows disease or something lol. (Creutzfeldt?Jakob disease - CJD disease for those unknown to mad cows disease)

 

[Zippedmantis]

I can but couldn't when I wanted to cos I'd just got a tattoo and the donar people haven't been back since.I am an organ donar though.

 

[Larmo]

Started giving in high school and discovered I have O positive blood, so i can give to anyone. This means that the Red Cross really like it and actually call me up whenever there in town.

 

[Larmo]

Yes, I gave blood a few days ago actually.

As did I. Although, since I'm O+, I have to give a double-red cell thing and for some reason, it makes a 200lbs guy like me a little light-headed...

I did that once (double red) they didn't tell me it made you cold, don't get light headed tho so its a plus.

 

[Marsell]

I sell Plasma
its on hiatis right now

 

[Assassin Xaero]

"No, I'm old enough but still not allowed."

I'll go with that. Old enough, but don't weight enough (seriously). Plus I hate needles...