Community Chat

[tends2dogs]

I passed a bloodmobile the other day and I got to thinking that it had been WAY TOO long since I have given blood.  I am universal Type O and they are always in need of it.  I need to do something about it!

BTW When my husband had a blood cancer, he received over 140 units of packed red blood cells and several units of plasma. It kept him going until he had his bone marrow transplant and by the grace of God, he is cured.  We are so thankful for the hundreds of people that took the time out of their day to give this precious gift.

If anyone is considering it, but is a bit afraid, rest assured that it doesn't hurt.  It doesn't take that long, either.

This is my public service announcement for the day LOL!

[Irshgrl31201]

I used to give blood all of the time because I am O- and a universal donor. If I forgot, they reminded me.  However I haven't been able to donate in years because I have an autoimmune disease and get MRSA quite often. 

It is very important for those who can give blood, to do it. I really hate that I can't. 

[Preds]

Yes.

[just bee]

@tends2dogs

It's funny that you started this thread because I was just going to do the same thing.  I tend to believe that when someone passes away, we should continue doing something they did when they were alive.  Both my stepfather and sister donated blood, so that's one of the things I do to keep that part of them going.

My mother received several blood transfusions when she was young so I have another reason to do it.

[Marybella]

I gave quite often in the past and couldn't after my thyroid cancer. I'm pretty sure I'm clear to do it again, so thanks for the reminder!

[Reba055]

I can't  because the last time I did I passed out and had to spend hours in the bloodmobile. I have low BP and they said it probably caused my BP to tank. I'm not sure if it was a fluke or not, but not willing to take that chance again. I used to do it every time they came to my job. 

[PurpleBunny]

No, I'm anemic - but my type O- daughter and husband do. 

My dad has the rarest blood type, AB- ... and I can remember as a child, getting calls at 3:00 am and he would drive into Boston to donate for a accident victim. 

[Tinkrbl44]

@tends2dogs

While there's no doubt that giving blood is definitely a life saving act, you don't always have to give it all away.

Years ago, I used to donate just my PLASMA at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY.    They needed the white blood cells for those fighting the disease.

They would take blood from me in the usual way, and I'd relax and do nothing.   Then my blood was spun very fast in a centrifuge which would quickly separate the red and white blood cells.   They would then skim off the white cells and give me back my red blood cells via an IV.    

This process is called Plasmapheresis (sp?) and is also a real life saver for patients in desperate need of more white cells in their body.   

[Kachina624]

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@tends2dogs wrote:

I passed a bloodmobile the other day and I got to thinking that it had been WAY TOO long since I have given blood.  I am universal Type O and they are always in need of it.  I need to do something about it!

BTW When my husband had a blood cancer, he received over 140 units of packed red blood cells and several units of plasma. It kept him going until he had his bone marrow transplant and by the grace of God, he is cured.  We are so thankful for the hundreds of people that took the time out of their day to give this precious gift.

If anyone is considering it, but is a bit afraid, rest assured that it doesn't hurt.  It doesn't take that long, either.

This is my public service announcement for the day LOL!

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@tends2dogs  Well have you donated since realizing how important it is?   I used to donate but am too old now.   I have AB- blood for which there isn't much demand. 

[Perkup]

Used to donate, but can't anymore - age and other issues.