Blood donation?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bart M on October 1, 2011 at 1:00am

I don't donate blood.  Personally, I feel that they're a bit of a scam.  You think you're donating blood to patients in need, but you're not.  Those patients are getting charged for the blood they're getting.  The company that collects the blood is the one who gets the freebie, and then charges for it.

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Permalink Reply by Analucia S. on October 1, 2011 at 8:40am

Patients are charged for medical care and supplies, at least in most countries. That doesn't mean they don't need blood. If you don't like that they are charged for it, you should be an activist for health care reform, rather than discouraging people from donating blood.

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Permalink Reply by Ben on February 8, 2012 at 1:54pm

In addition, I'd imagine if MORE people donated blood the price would go down for the patients. That's not necessarily true though..

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Permalink Reply by Traci on October 1, 2011 at 1:37am

I don't see why not.  I have donated several times in the past.  I had to quite though because my blood counts were too low.  This was several years ago before I started hcrv.  It would be interesting to see if they would accept me now since I'm getting healthier again.  Maybe I'll try again sometime next year...

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Permalink Reply by Analucia S. on October 1, 2011 at 8:41am

Get your iron tested and you'll know. I haven't donated in a while, but the last time I did my iron level was 15 and that was after a long stretch of only fruits.

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Permalink Reply by Analucia S. on October 1, 2011 at 8:44am

Hm. Apparently you have to be at least 150 lbs to donate. When I donated I weighed much less than that, and they still took my blood. My friend says that they take your blood even if you aren't qualified, but then they review your records and throw the blood away if you weren't a proper candidate.

 

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements

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Permalink Reply by Many Many Fruits on February 8, 2012 at 11:32am

Wow, I'm 40lbs lighter than the minimum weight! Over here in Singapore the minimum weight is 45kg, around 100lbs :)

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Permalink Reply by Many Many Fruits on February 8, 2012 at 11:37am

Oops, just saw the link and it said 110lbs hahaha!

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Permalink Reply by Ashley Whitaker on October 1, 2011 at 9:47am

Before lfrv I donated blood (2 years plus vegan) and my iron levels were fine. I was like, "did you just test my iron?" she said yes and it was great "oh that's super 'cause I'm vegan :)" She was impressed and obviously not heard much of veganism. In Canada you have to be 110lbs or more to give blood. Not sure how they do it there but bring fruits with you for after unless you want a nasty fruit cup or a juice box.

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Permalink Reply by Many Many Fruits on February 8, 2012 at 11:35am

Yup, I just went to donate blood on my birthday on Nov, and I brought a bunch of bananas to munch before and after donation. Everything was fine, except the fainting spells after donation!

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Permalink Reply by Ashley Whitaker on October 1, 2011 at 9:51am

Just read the American site. For the double red cell donors, I did not know that a 5'5 girl OVER 150 lbs was healthy.......

 

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Permalink Reply by Analucia S. on October 1, 2011 at 9:57am

I think it's a typo, honestly. On the exact same page (higher up and in bold) is says the weight minimum is 110 lbs.

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