Donate Blood?

[Kouak]

Have you ever donated blood? How often?

[Bob S.]

My medicine regimen has precluded me from giving blood but I would love to do so.

Bob S.

[MeBNude]

I've never given blood, because I had lived in the wrong countries in Europe for too long and there is no blood test for "Mad Cow Disease" which is the concern for people who lived there after the 1980s. The last time I tried was the late 90s and "too long" was more than three months.

However, I'm glad you asked this because I just went on the Red Cross website and found out that for France, "too long" is now 5 years, so for Christmas, I'm going to go donate blood. Thanks for asking the question since it got me to check this out.

[David77]

Have you ever donated blood? How often?

I donated blood when I was young, but now I have received blood during an operation. I am very thankful to the blood doner (who is anonymous).

[Steve78621]

I started donating years ago, I'm over six and a half gallons now. One thing you can do to make things go well is to be well hydrated when you go in to donate. Having enough water in your system will make the blood come out easier.

[turtlendragonfly]

i used to give blood every 56 days. i had gotten my gallon pin. started getting tattoos and you have to wait 1 year after that, well i get about 1 tattoo or touchup a year, so it's been a while since i donated

[northnude]

I started a year and a half ago and have been donating every 56 days. I plan on continuing for as long as I can.

[barefischer]

I have been donating whole blood platlets and plasma since I was seventeen yrs old. Over the years I have given 153 donations. Now I only donate whole blood as that is all I have time for and usually donate every 2 months if time health permits ie no colds etc.

[FireProf]

Began donating blood while in boot camp. Participated in numerous blood drives while on the FD and have donated blood every time a family member, friend, distant friend or aquaintance was in need. Up until recently...I have also donated platlets.

I don't donate...just to donate but at times when I've received notice in the mail or by phone that they are in need....I try to donate. Health issues have precluded me from doing so lately.

[Kari P]

Yes, I do. I have donated blood already 53 times.