Have you donated blood yet?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

This is just a reminder for those of us who are able to, please, go to your nearest facility and donate blood.

I know some people want to help and can't afford to donate any money. Why not donate blood instead?

I'm O- the universal donor, they salivate every time I walk in the door. No matter what type you are they will be needing to replenish the supplies if this ends up being as bad as it appears it may be.

Roll up your sleeve and save a life. :)

[Pithlet]

1. I'm sick

So they probably wouldn't take my blood right now. Otherwise I would have been down there today.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

27. I hope you get better soon

And when you do don't forget to donate. :)

[Skittles]

2. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL DISASTERS OCCUR TO DONATE BLOOD

I donated blood last Thursday - I'm way past 25 gallons by now

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. Good point!

This was just a friendly reminder.

I'm a regular, also. :)

[magellan]

3. I used to donate regularly but can't anymore

After living for several years in the UK, I'm not allowed.

[SofaKingLiberal]

4. question

I had dental surgery today and am on pain medication, will that be a problem?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

11. Call first and make sure

I think it depends on what type of meds you're taking.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

15. Actually, there are so many of us that can't

This is another growing problem. I have Lyme disease and should not donate blood or organs. My pastor has been to (help) I think Western Europe and can not donate for 10 yrs.

Blood, is going to be the new oil, soon enough. It actually is scary, if you think about it!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

21. The regulations are strict

That's one of the reason why those who can should donate and donate often.

[redsoxliberal]

6. I'm English

even if I begged they wouldn't accept it.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

10. The BSE thing?

Your exempt then, but thanks for caring. :)

[redsoxliberal]

18. I wish I could. eom

[MissMarple]

7. Good point. The Red Cross and the blood banks need blood.

Truth to tell, if you can, please donate. They have lost a large pool of donors and the need has expanded.

Go ahead, en la manana. Or whatever. :)

[VADem11]

8. Yes, I have

I too am O-. Just started doing it regularly 3 months ago.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

22. Good for you!

And the potential lives you've saved! :hug:

[MnFats]

9. can you donate if you're on meds?

nothing heavy....Lipitor, Zyban, for example...

[Lone_Star_Dem]

14. Call first and make sure

I don't know if those are an issue or not.

[LeftyMom]

20. Call and ask

Some meds are a bar to donation, I don't think either of those is but the people to ask would be the nurses at the blood bank.

[alittlelark]

12. Another O- here... I donate fairly regularly

I'll do it again in the next day or two.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

24. You make me proud

Keep on saving lives. :hug:

[KitchenWitch]

13. I am a survivor of Lymphoma

so I am not allowed.

makes me sad...

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. That you care is enough

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

19. Thanks

:hug:

I will be sending stuff and money on Friday.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

17. I can't. I wish I could.

I'm on a heavy arthritis medication that makes my blood useless for donation. Otherwise, I would be at the head of the line.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

25. The fact that you would says it all

Thank you for caring. :)

[politicat]

23. Appointment is for the 6th.

I had surgery on the 1st of July, and I won't be cleared for donation until the 5th. (No transfusions, just saline.) I've donated every 56 days for two years, though they declined me last time since I was scheduled for surgery in a week.

I'm o+; not quite so cool, but still appreciated. DH and I will both be going in.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

26. Whatever your blood type

They'll still give you juice and a cookie. :)

Thank you for sharing the gift of life. :hug:

[REP]

28. Donor Requirements from Blood Centers of the Pacific

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS


AGE: 17 (16 year-olds can donate with written permission of parent or guardian).

WEIGHT: At least 110 pounds

DIET: A well-balanced meal is recommended within four hours of donation.

HEALTH: General good health

IDENTIFICATION: Valid identification such as a driver's license, DMV identification card, passport, social security number, etc.



Do not donate if any of the following apply to you:


AIDS: You are a person with symptoms or laboratory evidence of HIV infection.

CANCER: Hematological, ie: Hodgkin, Leukemia, Lymphomas

HEPATITIS: A history of the disease after the age of 11, or a positive lab test for the virus.

ORGAN FAILURE: Kidney, lung or liver failure.

RECREATIONAL DRUG USE (by injection): Having injected yourself with drugs not prescribed by a physician.

UNITED KINGDOM: You have visited or lived in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar or Falkland Islands for a total of 3 months or more from 1980 thru 1996.

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: If you have spent a cumulative of 5 years or more since 1980.

U.S. MILITARY/DEPENDENTS/CIVILIAN
MILITARY EMPLOYEE: If you are U.S. Military / Dependent / Civilian Military Employee who spent a cumulative of six months or more between 1980 thru 1996 associated with a military base in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece.

TRAVEL: Travel to certain countries may temporarily restrict you from donating blood. Please call 1-888-393-GIVE to learn more.

SEXUAL HISTORY: You are a man who has had sex with another man since 1977 or you have engaged in sex for money or drugs since 1977.



QUESTIONS ABOUT ELIGIBILITY


You may need to wait before donating blood if you have any of these conditions:


CONDITION


Allergy
No Wait

Abortion/Miscarriage
6 week wait if pregnancy terminated in third trimester, otherwise no wait

Acupuncture
Can donate if single-use equipment is used

Alcohol Consumption
No wait unless intoxicated

Anemia (past diagnosis)
No wait if corrected

Blood Donation, Apheresis
48 Hours

Blood Donation, Whole
8 Weeks

Cancer, treated surgically with radiation or chemotherapy, except for hematological cancers
1 Year

Cold
No wait if no sore throat or fever

Cough
No wait if no sore throat or fever

Sore Throat
Until well, no symptoms

Diabetes
No wait if medically controlled

Ear and Body Piercing
See Acupuncture

Electrolysis
See Acupuncture

Gonorrhea
1 Year

Heart Disease - Angina or Heart Attack (M.I., No Heart Medication)
1 Year

Heart Disease - Angioplasty or Bypass Surgery (No Heart Medication)
1 Year

Hepatitis Contact
Depends on Type

Herpes
Free of Fever/Systemic Symptoms

High Blood Pressure
No Wait if Medically Controlled

Malaria/Immigration from Malarial Area
3 Years

Travel to Malarial Area
1 Years

Pregnancy
6 Week Wait After Delivery

Recent Surgery
When Released from MD's Care

Syphilis
1 Year

Tattoo
1 Year




IMMUNIZATION/VACCINES (SHOTS)

Flu/Pneumonia Vaccine
No Wait

MMR
4 Weeks

Rubeola (Measles), Yellow Fever, Mumps and Oral Polio
2 Weeks

Rebella (German Measles)
4 Weeks

Hepatitis A and B
No Wait

TB Skin Test
48 Hours

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid and Cholera
No Wait

Varicella (Chicken Pox)
4 Weeks

Allergy Shots
No Wait




MEDICATIONS

Accutane
1 Month

Allergy Medications
No Wait

Antibiotics
After Last Dose

Flagyl
No Wait

High Blood Pressure Medicine
No Wait

Oral Contraceptives
No Wait

Propecia
1 Month

Proscar
1 Month

Tegison (for Psoriasis)
Permanently Deferred

Tetracycline for Acne
No Wait

Vitamins
No Wait

[Lone_Star_Dem]

30. Thank you for posting the list

It's very appreciated. :)

[wli]

29. not eligible to donate blood n/t

[mark11727]

31. Still have a month to go before I'm eligible to donate again....

Shit.

[Skittles]

32. you're a hero

you donate blood to help other people rather than wait until a disaster and try to make yourself feel better....people, DON'T WAIT UNTIL A DISASTER STRIKES TO DONATE BLOOD - PEOPLE NEED BLOOD ALL THE TIME

[KamaAina]

33. Sorry, I'm in Hawai'i

we went through this after 9/11: many, many people wanted to donate blood but there was no way to get it to NY (or, now, to NO)

[ahem]

34. I can't, but Mr. Ahem goes every 2 months to donate...

They'll let him go again in a couple of weeks. He's a 5 gallon+ donor so far.

I wish I could donate, but at least I'm glad to have a partner who can and does.

:)