Poll: Blood Doning

[DionysusSnoopy]

I'm not allowed in the UK currently because of travel and autoimmune issues. I f I could I would a number of my friends do, but they say its a bit of a ***** to organise the appointment to donate the blood, NHS magic

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

I try all the time because my blood type is so rare. I have B-, only 2% of the world population has it.

Problem is I have problems bleeding. Whenever I try donating I usually fill the bag halfway and then I just stop bleeding. Even if I try using the other arm to finish it up. Strangest thing...

wish I could figure out what the issue is. Never thought I'd be trying everything possible to make me bleed more.

 

[Catfood220]

So any chance I can convince anyone on here to go blood doning soon? Regardless of country donor levels are pretty low at the moment and it's becoming a pretty bad issue.

I would, but I can't do it again until January or February because I gave back in September. As soon as they send me a text asking me, I shall make an appointment.

Never have donated blood, probably never will. Not like A+ is hard to come by anyway. I guess it's partially because I dunno where I'd go to donate blood in my area.

You do know you can go on the internet and look up where blood donations are taking place near you.

 

[Lunarflowermaiden]

I would, but I can't. The two times I have done it, didn't really agree with me (sudden drop in blood pressure, which is not fun).

That is the only reason I can't, which is a pity.

 

[mikey7339]

I used to back when I was in school and they had blood drives, but not anymore. The only reason I don't donate anymore is because the red cross in my city is downtown, which is pretty much a slum at this point. If there were a place to go that was in a better part of town I would.

 

[icaritos]

Huh I have a tragic little story about this little thing. See I am blood type 0 Rh negative. Which basically means I could give more or less anyone. I have no blood carried diseases or anything as well. I have never even tried drugs or tobacco, so I haven't ever been at risk of an infected needle. I could go on forever detailing the very good reasons why our hospitals would love to get their hands on my blood. I want to donate blood to help people.

But there's one problem. Because of one tiny tiny thing they absolutely refuse to even draw and test my blood, no discussion or argument, just fuck right off and never come back. Because I am male attracted to other males.

I'm not shitting you.

Yeah, we have that in Australia as well, or rather a 12 month ban after having male/male sex, because anal sex increases risk of infection for the person whose anus it is. Nothing about male/female anal sex, of course, nor what role the person played in male/male sex.

I bet they're afraid that "gay blood" will "infect" patients and turn them gay. Which kinda makes me laugh just a little bit...

OT: I donate blood whenever I'm permitted to. The minimum time has been changing frequently over the last couple of years. And being AB-, they never seem to have much of it.

Nah, It's not the "gay blood" that is the problem. It is the "risk of infection". They blatantly disregard safety precautions, roles of either partner and what you actually did. But they do issue a blanket statement. "If you are male and have had a sexual encounter with another male you are not allowed to donate blood." Just like that. Nevermind that they test every single bag of donated blood with nearly perfect accuracy. Sure, let some poor 0negative bastard bleed out because of a 0,00001% chance. Makes sense!

snip

Wait... did they actually ask if you were gay during testing or something?

If you were really eager to donate, couldn't you just go to a clinic where they don't know you?

...

OT: I should and I probably would. However I won't because I will have completely forgotten about it within half an hour of making this post.

Come to think of it, I don't even know my blood type.

You have to fill out a form. If I would lie then I would be breaking the law. (breaking the law)
I'm not really interested in doing that.

I haven't actually gone and gotten checked by them but I read the quick guide on their website that gives you rough advice on when it's time to go an donate. On the page about sexlife it says in plain text. "[If you] Are male and have [ever] had sexual contact with another man. You can not donate blood." Plain and simple. I've also read in the local newspaper of perfectly healty would be donors not even being allowed to fill out the form, because their same sex boyfriend came with them and they casually mentioned that they were in a relationship.

http://geblod.nu/bli-blodgivare/kan-du-ge-blod/
Google translate is your friend.

Edit:
I just found something even more hilariously outdated borderline racist.

Stämmer detta på dig?

Då är chansen stor att du kan bli blodgivare.
* Är 18-60 år (18-60 years old)
* Är frisk (are healty)
* Väger minst 50 kilo (weighs at least 50 kilos]
* Har giltig ID-handling (have a valid ID)
* Förstår och talar svenska (understand and speak swedish)
* Har svenskt personnummer

The fuck? So if a perfectly healthy newly moved in German, that has been made a proper Swedish citizen, wants to donate blood, he is not allowed because he hasn't learned Swedish yet? What kind of bullshit is that?

Now now don't get unnecessarily hateful here. The chance of acquiring AIDS from male-to-male intercourse is several orders of magnitude higher than for any other demographic (if I remember correctly, around 46 times higher). Now this wouldn't be a problem with blood testing except for the fact that there is a 2 months period (after infection) in which HIV cannot be detected. So there is a reason why it tends to be rejected (though the life ban is silly, should be around 12 to 18 months to guarantee no approximate infection).

 

[OriginalLadders]

In theory, I can see no valid reason why I should not give blood, I've been in hospital enough to understand why it is needed.

In practice, no one has ever been able to get a needle into one of my veins in under three stabs without either bursting said vein or hitting muscle.

So fuck that shit.

 

[Xenos Eriadin]

I tried to donate, but apparently I'm under the weight limit for guys. It's a pain, because girls who weigh the same as me can go in and donate with no problems.
So fuck that. I'm not gaining 14 lbs just because they're so fussy about who they take blood from.

I'm also not a fan of their discrimination towards gay men...

 

[Yopaz]

Never have donated blood, probably never will. Not like A+ is hard to come by anyway. I guess it's partially because I dunno where I'd go to donate blood in my area.

This is a very common misconception about giving blood. Everyone seems to think that 0- is the best kind because you can give to everyone and that AB+ are lucky bastards who can get from anyone. The truth is that the most common blood types (A+ and O+)n are the ones that are most desired by the blood banks because they are more common. When a blood type is common it means that more people need that.

OT: I wont be donating any time soon, it's been less than 2 weeks since the last time so probably not for 3 months or so.

 

[RagTagBand]

If they ever properly advertised when and where blood drives were i'd go, but they never do so I always miss them.

 

[WanderingFool]

Firstly, I had a medical condition that prevented me from giving blood, largely because my blood was sub par and would most likely never be used.

Secondly, I fucking hate needles. Not needles to an my bicep, but needles that go in my vains.

 

[Tay051173096]

Gave some last monday...

Once every four months.

 

[Keava]

Certainly not by using the term "doning" as that is too close to the verb to don, which would be donning and means putting on. As much as I like gore and scary stuff i'm not sure blood would be the most comfortable of apparel.

Now if You mean donating blood, I don't qualify, sadly.

 

[natster43]

I am giving blood on the 20th, and I normally give every time I get called and can give more blood.

 

[The Almighty Grigard]

Huh I have a tragic little story about this little thing. See I am blood type 0 Rh negative. Which basically means I could give more or less anyone. I have no blood carried diseases or anything as well. I have never even tried drugs or tobacco, so I haven't ever been at risk of an infected needle. I could go on forever detailing the very good reasons why our hospitals would love to get their hands on my blood. I want to donate blood to help people.

But there's one problem. Because of one tiny tiny thing they absolutely refuse to even draw and test my blood, no discussion or argument, just fuck right off and never come back. Because I am male attracted to other males.

I'm not shitting you.

Yeah, we have that in Australia as well, or rather a 12 month ban after having male/male sex, because anal sex increases risk of infection for the person whose anus it is. Nothing about male/female anal sex, of course, nor what role the person played in male/male sex.

I bet they're afraid that "gay blood" will "infect" patients and turn them gay. Which kinda makes me laugh just a little bit...

OT: I donate blood whenever I'm permitted to. The minimum time has been changing frequently over the last couple of years. And being AB-, they never seem to have much of it.

Nah, It's not the "gay blood" that is the problem. It is the "risk of infection". They blatantly disregard safety precautions, roles of either partner and what you actually did. But they do issue a blanket statement. "If you are male and have had a sexual encounter with another male you are not allowed to donate blood." Just like that. Nevermind that they test every single bag of donated blood with nearly perfect accuracy. Sure, let some poor 0negative bastard bleed out because of a 0,00001% chance. Makes sense!

snip

Wait... did they actually ask if you were gay during testing or something?

If you were really eager to donate, couldn't you just go to a clinic where they don't know you?

...

OT: I should and I probably would. However I won't because I will have completely forgotten about it within half an hour of making this post.

Come to think of it, I don't even know my blood type.

You have to fill out a form. If I would lie then I would be breaking the law. (breaking the law)
I'm not really interested in doing that.

I haven't actually gone and gotten checked by them but I read the quick guide on their website that gives you rough advice on when it's time to go an donate. On the page about sexlife it says in plain text. "[If you] Are male and have [ever] had sexual contact with another man. You can not donate blood." Plain and simple. I've also read in the local newspaper of perfectly healty would be donors not even being allowed to fill out the form, because their same sex boyfriend came with them and they casually mentioned that they were in a relationship.

http://geblod.nu/bli-blodgivare/kan-du-ge-blod/
Google translate is your friend.

Edit:
I just found something even more hilariously outdated borderline racist.

Stämmer detta på dig?

Då är chansen stor att du kan bli blodgivare.
* Är 18-60 år (18-60 years old)
* Är frisk (are healty)
* Väger minst 50 kilo (weighs at least 50 kilos]
* Har giltig ID-handling (have a valid ID)
* Förstår och talar svenska (understand and speak swedish)
* Har svenskt personnummer

The fuck? So if a perfectly healthy newly moved in German, that has been made a proper Swedish citizen, wants to donate blood, he is not allowed because he hasn't learned Swedish yet? What kind of bullshit is that?

Now now don't get unnecessarily hateful here. The chance of acquiring AIDS from male-to-male intercourse is several orders of magnitude higher than for any other demographic (if I remember correctly, around 46 times higher). Now this wouldn't be a problem with blood testing except for the fact that there is a 2 months period (after infection) in which HIV cannot be detected. So there is a reason why it tends to be rejected (though the life ban is silly, should be around 12 to 18 months to guarantee no approximate infection).

It's not the male/male sex. It's the unprotected anal sex with the hilariously dangerous levels of blood contact. If they changed their policy to "wait 18 months after anal sex" I would be perfectly happy with that. Or even "Wait X months after male/male anal sex" I would have been satisfied. Their policy strictly states ANY sexual contact EVER between men means prohibited for LIFE. No mention of what you actually DID with your partner or how long ago it was. There are some really specific examples regarding straight sex like "You had sex with a person that has been at risk of infection for blood borne diseases and there was a risk that you had blood contact with that person... Wait 12 months." "Touched a mans penis? GET THE FUCK OUT HOMO!"

 

[NLS]

My work day today consisted of getting more volunteers to donate blood, actually. Although not everyone out there qualifies because of age or risk of disease, there's a lot of good conversations to be had. Also, I started off by signing up myself as a donor, since I've somehow forgotten to do that earlier.
And to anyone out there who are screened out of donating blood: I'm sorry about it, but sometimes they just can't afford to do mistakes, and the automatic screening process isn't always 100% accurate either, there's always a chance of false positives or false negatives happening. If they do certain basic background checks on beforehand, they can rule out most of the false checks before things potentially go wrong.
And remember: Even if you can't donate blood, there's always another way you can help out

 

[Johann610]

I used to...before I got my 60-mile commute and lost my evenings, mornings, and etc...if I move closer, I will be doing it again.

 

[Vrach]

Sorry, no. There's too many rumours of selling blood in Serbia and I don't trust our health care system at all, I've been sick several times and they're ridiculously incompetent on every imaginable level and don't give two shits about any patient.

I am planning to get the fuck out of here though and as soon as I do, you can bet your ass I'll be donating blood whenever I get a chance. I've done it twice in the past and don't mind it at all (we get 0 benefits for it here), I like the idea of helping someone.

 

[MetalMonkey74]

i'd love to, but they dont let me coz i occasionally smoke weed.

kinda sucks

 

[everythingbeeps]

Doning isn't a real word dude...

Can't believe it took this long for someone to say this.

On topic: I'm way too uncomfortable with needles to donate blood. And I know I don't have a rare blood type, so I don't lose much sleep over it.