Talk to the Goat
Both you and Jason are awexome for donating. I have the same problem Jason does but it extends to the whole situation rather than just the sight of blood.
I start to get woozy when I so much as pass the room where the donating is being performed (like in highschool they used to do it in the gym). I am also terrified of needles...
If the health care workers can find some way to knock you out prior to taking your blood, I'd donate every 3 months. For now I'll just congradulate those who do it.
Yay you!
I used to give blood all of the time. I, like Jason, have great veins. I also have no problems with needles and the sight of blood.
It just that nasty anemia that keeps popping up that has made me persona non grata at the Blood Services.
Boo.
My friend, Crazydave, gives blood every chance he gets. The nurses know him and pretty much leave him to his own devices. This worked out well until one very busy day when all the machines went off at once and they left Crazydave for last. He said he saw the hand of some higher being come down and say 'It's time to go, son.' before he passed out.
He woke up to find all the nurses panicking and slapping him.
Thank you for the reminder Jay. It's been two years since we have given blood. It's definitely time again.
3T
Cool. I'm a frequent donor. Have been since high school when a friend lost a leg in an accident and the surgery required 36 pints. Yes, 36 pints of O+.
I don't know what's worse, getting stuck with a needle, or having some strange phlebotomist in training ask you if you've ever had anal sex for drugs with someone who once visited Nigeria.
Excellant post. Multiple Sclerosis kicks me out of the donating pool, however, researchers want my brain when I'm finished with it. Not a problem. I'm giving them the whole body.
I tell the nurses that my veins roll. They then use a butterfly needle and it cuts their effort way down.
Here is the good ole U S of A we have the Red Cross...there is a long history which explaines the name but to me it means spilling blood. I couldn't even read your post today because I started feeling woozy. I tried a few times to give but I'm not meant to do so.. the one time I passed out in the bloodmobile at work and woke up on the floor, there was country music playing. I thought I died and went to Texas. #1 rule of giving blood when you are a woman, DON"T do it while you are on your period.
Agggg...I got to stand up to get the blood circulating.
OK! OK, already! I'll go donate... soon. I am busy today. Probably tomorrow. Thursday is too far away to plan. Ummm.. maybe I can figure this for next week on next month or something...
No, I'm serious, I'll donate. 4% of us is not enough.
Well done you
The vampire van helped me learn about how asymetrical my body is. You see the veins are not the same in me laft and right arms. The nurse tried five times, yes that five, while butchering my arm in attempt to find the vein. Finally she is sitting there literlay thumping the needle stuck in my arm and each thump would bring the blood about an inch further down the tube. Then she says to me, "how 'bout we try the other arm?" I don't think the look I gave her was interperated correctly.
I've always to donate but either hospitals in Norway don't need blood, or they have their own private source. I have never seen or heard anyone or anything encouraging us to donate blood.
It must have been ten years since the last time someone tried finding one of my veins. I don't remember much but my mum has told me the story of how the nurse kept stabbing my arm for ages without any luck. It wasn't until the doctor came in they managed to find one. Should've asked him to find out what blood type I have - I still don't know.
I too, never look when needles are inserted in me. I don't get faint or anything, but I totally cannot stand needles, even for my own good. For this reason, I do not give blood. You have to take it from me kicking and screaming. The other problem is that in the US, if you donate JUST ONCE, the Red Cross will call you EVERY DAY for the rest of your life to donate again. Believe me I know since the Wife has donated a few times. They're supposed to wait 60 days before calling you again. They wait a week. And if you explain you've just given blood, they'll still call you again tomorrow.
I was the perfect blood donor. Veins you could drive a truck through and I even liked watching them insert the needle. I think I could probably do it myself if I had to. I started giving in college because they gave out free T-shirts and that meant at least three more days before I had to do laundry. I gave everytime the dors were opened (every 52 days actually) then in the Air Force, I was stationed in Germany. When I got back I was put on the do-not-accept list. It seems that military bases got their beef from England and there was a "mad cow" outbreak during my time there. Because of that I can no longer give and am extremely jealous of those who can. Way to go Jay. Good job and thanks.
TG
I know, it's so frustrating to want to give but not be able to. Here, if you have a false-positive even once, you're out of the game.
They definitely call us too, but once you make another appointment, they're satisfied. I mean, you can't blame them for being persistent. People die without blood, and from what I've heard, dying sucks.
One of my old roomies went through nursing school. She came home and used me as her test subject. This meant numerous injections of God only knows what. She assured me it was safe. Man, was I trusting! Countless taking of blood, poking of needles, and peeing in a cup. Fun, fun. Then she dropped out. Go figure.
That's cool that you donate. I hadn't donated in years and we had a blood drive at church not long ago and my iron level was 1 point too high to give. I hadn't had to do this before, evidently its a relatively new thing. If your iron level is too low or too high they have to say 'thank you kindly' and boot you out of the door.
one time a nurse hit the muscle sheath in my arm and i had a bruise from my wrist almost all the way to my shoulder. that didn't stop me... i donated blood for money in college to the hematology lab. and i actually LIKE donating platelets and plasma. it takes about 2 hours and they extract the platelets & plasma then put your blood back in! meanwhile, you sit in a heated massage chair and watch a movie, all by yourself. and you can't get up. it's bliss.
You know, I never understood why people pale at the sight of blood. What do they think keeps them alive? Mayonaise?
Give blood!!!
Total support.
Spectacular post! I'm glad to hear you both donated. I've been doing it for years and it may sound corny, but it really makes me feel good. A small amount of our time (and blood) will help so many. By explaining it, hopefully you've eased the fear for some. Usually we get pinapple juice as an option, which thrills me; but now I'm a bit jealous over the peach juice. I've been putting off getting another tattoo because if I do, I can't donate for a year. You guys should be really proud of your donations!
It's terrific that you posted this. I have wanted to donate for a while now but I was afraid that because I take medication for an underactive thyroid I would be excluded. I was just too darn lazy to check it out.
Great post! I too have the collapsible veins. It's a problem for blood donation, but like you, I think it's worth it. The really bad time was when I had to get an IV during labor--nothing makes your veins hard to hit like being 9.5 months pregnant. It was the only time I sent my dh out of the room--he was green from watching them try to stick me.
Sounds like the Canadian questions are very similar to the US ones.
I think it is great that you both donate blood. It seems like everytime the blood mobile comes around my parts, there's some stupid reason I cannot donate. First I was too young, or I'm on some kind of medication at the time, or my iron levels were too low (I was on iron pills for years), or pregnant. It sucks living in a small community.
Canadians can't donate anything for money. Of course, I guess it's not so much a donation as selling your stuff at that point.
I've been poked too many times to feel faint, but I admit I don't really look 
Jason, however, actually assisted in an emergency surgery on my back...but cannot stand to see a droplet of his own blood.
Here we only need to wait 6 months after a tattoo - same for piercings, acupuncture, electolysis.
we actually have a permanent clinic set up in one of our malls in mississauga, but i still have not donated. there is no valid excuse, i always mean too, but never seem to. i just don't know where my days seem to go.
Yes! well, no, not that I meant to taunt - but yes to cycling, especially in this weather. Get a bike!
I bruise horribly and react to plasters like you! tho' I haven't given blood for a while... must get back into it.
I'm nominating you for the Order of Canada for this fine piece of marketing.
right on for donating!
i've donated um... 2 times? 3? 2 or 3. and another attempt, which wasn't successful (i didn't drink enough water the previous day)!
it feels good to know you're helping people, and you should feel fabulous about it!
Because of some health issues, I am unable to donate blood. I am very impressed with your zeal for this graeat cause. You and Jason are wonderful roll models.
For some reason, your auto-generated ads are offering me "Washington DWI Defense Attorneys" though I'm not exactly sure why.
So awesome of you and Jason to not only donate yourselves but to encourage the rest of us to do the same. It's JARRING to realize how much blood is needed every day and how small a blood supply we actually have to meet the demand. You GO, Jay!!!
Good post with a worthy message. The Massachusetts chapter of the Red Cross in association with area hospitals have an excellent public service advertisement they run here. First they have regular citizens saying" I wasn't asked," as their excuses. After a few of these, then local celebrities (sports stars, TV personalities, etc.) come on and say, "Consider yourself asked."
...I understand the ampaign has been quite successful and turnout has been up.
Great Post Jay.
I'm A+, another of the popular choices for blood donors... however, I'm one of the many bods who lived in the UK while the Mad Cows were doing their thing... As a non vegetarian I no long qualify to give blood till it's proven it isn't I'm not carrying it having eaten the odd bit of steak that might have been madder than me...
Sometimes being willing to donate still isn't enough!
I applaud your bravery since I got queasy just reading that. Last time I was around a donation van they rejected me for not weighing enough. That was in the U.S., though, where I'm in the very bottom of the height and weight percentiles.
Yes, yes yes! You guys rock. Someone like you made my life much better after D was born. I got 3 (count them, three) units to try to replace some of what I lost to haemmorage. Thank you, and sadly i think it now disqualifies me from donating here.
I love it's "blood letting" time! Good for you Toots.
You guys are both troopers. I work with IV equipment and needles and such, and I know some peoples' veins roll and such.
Mine do that too. Just for a simple blood test, I'll get stuck maybe 6 or 7 times at least.
They say I have jumpy veins...maybe they just don't wanna get stuck.
Good job with this post, Jay. I used to run blood drives twice a year for my teachers union. I always found the personal questions they have to ask amusing.
donate, hell!!!!
Sell! I get 70 bucks over at the plama center, down by the homeless shelter and the bus station, dude, its so like free-money!
all my best,
JQP
And this PSA was brought to you by Google and Canadian Blood Services.
Band-aid burns do suck. And dying from no blood sucks even more.
Message: important.
TOOT-TOOT!
Fascinating, but I am not sure I like the photos - too graphic for so early in the day
What is graphic about an arm?
Three cheers for all who donate. I'm up to 34 and counting. It gives those of us that can a way to be a hero and possibly save a life that doesn't invole running into burning buildings or jumping in front of loaded guns.
That and you get free cookies!!
Ha-ha, Jason sounds like me. The first time I donated blood I actually had to yell at them to get them to take my blood because I was so scared I was having all sorts of spasms. They put theneedle through my vein that day, it hurt like hell and I nearly feinted!
The American Red Cross sucks compared to that. I used to give before I became an anemic fool. Good for you!
Honest to goodness. I almost passed out reading this.
They won't take my blood even if i beg - something to do with the debtal work i've undergone - which makes you wonder whats so bad with the dental treatment that it affects my blood..?
Hubby is the same way. Passed out cold while giving blood for his life insurance. Hasn't been touched by another needle since.
Men......
My husband and I have gone a couple of times. Reason for a couple and not every three months...the first time, Jeff turned about the colour of this page, began shaking and passed out, not a fun experience. I was sitting over at the refreshment table, and the guy across from me says "oh, I wouldn't want to be that guy!" and my response was " he's mine!" and ran over. I don't recommend seeing your loved one lying on a lawn chair, sweating and green. The second time, I was sitting at the table again, and chatting with an old friend, but kept a close eye on that Jeffy, he sat up okay, after a minute, he went to lay down again, and my heart started racing! No more blood from my Jeffy, he actually passes out. So, he'll donate to the mesquitos, and I'll donate the regular way....
Thank you, & a big pat on the back to all who donate blood, or at least try to. About 60% of the population in the US is elegible, but only around 5% actually donate. I've been a donor for 7 years & have worked for the local blood center (not the Red Cross) for a little over 3 years. The questions may seem funny or insulting to some, but it all has to do with the safety of the blood supply. Believe it or not I've had yes responses to all of the sex & drug use questions & had to defer these people. FYI: the Red Cross supplies about half the nations blood & the other half by independent organizations, many of which are non profit. Also of note, is that the Red Cross has been in violation of FDA regulations since 1985. An article in the April 2006 issue of the Wall Street Journal documents some of the ARCs recent problems. Find out who supplies your local hospitals & donate to them. Check out the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) web site; www.aabb.org for more information. Blood donors rock!
hey, did you know they increased the amount to 610 ml just in the past couple months AND the new needle is huge and hurts like hell. by the way, i probably tie with you for being one of the hardest for having the smallest or deepest veins. haha
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