Be a hero -- donate blood!

[SallyF]

I used to donate platelets all the time when I lived in SC. I used to say that it was the best excuse I could think of to sit with my feet propped up and watch a movie for two hours. Now that we live in the middle of nowhere I've had a hard time connecting with a Red Cross platelet donation center; the one up here (Murfreesboro, TN) just didn't seem that interested in scheduling a new donor. Most of them are not like that though; they welcome you with open arms. I had a niece a number of years ago who had to have a bone marrow transplant, which is why I started donating platelets; it's a great way to help save lives. Congratulations to all who donate blood, plasma and platelets!

 

[annaraven]

Sorry - they won't take my blood. DH has hep 3 from transfusions back in the 80s before they did the screening. So now, because of that, I can't donate, even though I've tested negative... Ah well.

 

[SallyF]

Yeah, they're getting really sticky about some of that stuff. Thanks for trying, though; it's the thought that counts. A lot of people never even try.

 

[sgtmom52]

0 neg & CMV neg here.

The local blood bank has me on speed dial and calls me every time I am eligible to go in ~ it is like my own reminder service! I last donated Nov 15th.

 

[SallyF]

Oh yeah, O negative is the gold standard for Red Cross; I'll bet theyt do love you!

 

[sgtmom52]

And the CMV neg makes it even better. I get special calls to donate for newborns and people with immune deficiency issues.

Both my parents, all 6 of my brothers and sisters and my daughter are all 0 neg and several of us are CMV neg too. Only one brother, one sister and my daughter also donate even though I try to get the others to I just can't get them on board ~ yet.

 

[PoultryParadise]

My father has donated Platelets every 3 weeks(i think, or is it 4, however often he is allowed) for the last decade. I hope to start soon, I was unable to before due to childbirths,etc.
You should all be very proud to be donating.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
I thought I'd forget too but when an unfortunate circumstance occurred it all came back to me. CPR in real life is nothing like on TV. 95% of the time the person does not get back up but at least you give them a chance.



As for donating blood my favorite parts are giving "vague" answers to all the questions (does one time in Africa count?), trying to get people to laugh on the bus as they are giving or taking, pulling up on my motorcycle and listening to people whine at me for driving away on it, and let's not forget pretending to pass out. Oh such good fun and it actually helps people too.


Oh, I think they should outlaw the Boy or Girl Scouts that try and sign you up for the next blood drive. That's just wrong.