I donated blood for the first time

[Deleted]

Yesterday, in between an appointment at some government facility and preparing for my mom's cremation, I was finally able to sneak in a chance to donate some blood for the first time. I had made it clear that after mom received a transfusion that I would donate in return someday. Thankfully, the facility had a drive that day and I was able to take advantage of the offer.

It hurt. Not gonna lie. And they had to do both arms, because they had a problem with my right arm and had to redraw with my left. But, I was done in 10 minutes with no ill effects afterward, and I felt pretty good about what I had done. So, I'm gonna try and donate whenever I can on my mom's memory.

Plus, I feel so much better doing this than donating plasma.

[The Sam]

Watch out for Dr. Acula. Everytime I donate blood he leaves a couple of nasty marks.

Also, well done.

[Deleted]

My school did blood drives and I donated every time I could. I preferred doing plasma. I just hated that I couldn't work out that day, that really annoyed me.

Only time I ever felt bad was the 2nd to last time. Got really nauseous and cold.

[Hanzo]

I donate about 4 times a year just to keep my iron level at bay. I've never had any problems afterwards. I was the nervous first time I did it. I almost passed out because I didn't drink enough water before I went. Just load yourself up on water and Gatorade before you go and you'll be fine.

[Ultimo Gallos]

I use to donate blood all the time. But I can't now cause of a few of the meds I am on. But I was going at least 4 times a year from when I was 17 until about 6 years ago.

[Ultimo Gallos]

I use to donate blood all the time. But I can't now cause of a few of the meds I am on. But I was going at least 4 times a year from when I was 17 until about 6 years ago. Never had a bad reaction to it. But did see one girl stand up too fast after getting done,she fell face first onto the floor and puked all over the place.

[tigermaskxxxvii]

Jan 14, 2016 18:44:52 GMT -5 Ultimo Gallos said:

I use to donate blood all the time. But I can't now cause of a few of the meds I am on. But I was going at least 4 times a year from when I was 17 until about 6 years ago. Never had a bad reaction to it. But did see one girl stand up too fast after getting done,she fell face first onto the floor and puked all over the place.

Same here. I donated to every time my high school and college had a blood drive until I was 22. That year, I broke my ankle and had to have surgery. Which means a one year moratorium on donating blood. That got me out of the habit. Now I'm on blood pressure medication, so no dice with further donations. I do remember a girl in high school donating blood and then have in this weird reaction we're she started flopping around afterwards on that triage thing you lay on as you donate.

[MiLB Fan]

I always keep an eye out for news that one of the local sports teams is hosting a blood drive. How many NFL fans can say that they've been inside the team's locker room? Thanks to a blood drive, I can say that! Donating blood also gave me my first chance to see the inside of the CONSOL Energy Center; everyone who donated got to watch the Penguins practice. All the drives I've been to usually have a player or two signing autographs, and donors always get something in return, like game tickets and merchandise. Of course the real reward is helping others but hey, it's a free gift!

Oddly enough, the part I hate most about giving blood isn't the actual donation, but the mini-physical you have to take beforehand. I pass the temperature check and iron test with flying colors, but my benign hypertension means that my blood pressure is almost always slightly elevated when they take it, no matter how much I try to relax. Once I'm lying on that cot and they stick the needle in my arm, it's all downhill. I've donated so many times, I hardly notice the pain anymore. And I must have been blessed with good veins, because I fill that collection bag up quickly.

The blood bank in my town has a nifty rewards program. In lieu of receiving money, donors earn points that they can redeem for gift cards. So the more you donate, the more points you earn.

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2016 18:33:43 GMT -5 @jdogindy said:

Yesterday, in between an appointment at some government facility and preparing for my mom's cremation, I was finally able to sneak in a chance to donate some blood for the first time. I had made it clear that after mom received a transfusion that I would donate in return someday. Thankfully, the facility had a drive that day and I was able to take advantage of the offer.

It hurt. Not gonna lie. And they had to do both arms, because they had a problem with my right arm and had to redraw with my left. But, I was done in 10 minutes with no ill effects afterward, and I felt pretty good about what I had done. So, I'm gonna try and donate whenever I can on my mom's memory.

Plus, I feel so much better doing this than donating plasma.

Why does it make you feel better than donating plasma? People need that too, they make medicine out of it that saves lives.

[Zaq "That Guy" Buzzkill]

Because I used to live in England before 1996 I can't give blood in Canada because it might be infected with mad cow disease.

Yes. Really.

[Deleted]

Jan 15, 2016 9:33:58 GMT -5 @therealoblivion said:

Jan 14, 2016 18:33:43 GMT -5 @jdogindy said:

Yesterday, in between an appointment at some government facility and preparing for my mom's cremation, I was finally able to sneak in a chance to donate some blood for the first time. I had made it clear that after mom received a transfusion that I would donate in return someday. Thankfully, the facility had a drive that day and I was able to take advantage of the offer.

It hurt. Not gonna lie. And they had to do both arms, because they had a problem with my right arm and had to redraw with my left. But, I was done in 10 minutes with no ill effects afterward, and I felt pretty good about what I had done. So, I'm gonna try and donate whenever I can on my mom's memory.

Plus, I feel so much better doing this than donating plasma.

Why does it make you feel better than donating plasma? People need that too, they make medicine out of it that saves lives.

Well, for starters, I know that people need plasma, but the issue I have is the fact that donating plasma is more frustrating than donating blood due to all of the steps you have to take just to get there. 2 weeks ago, I wanted to donate, and I had to go through a very rigorous screening process where you watch a full video, get a physical, get examined for tattoos and piercings, fill out a questionnaire, take a blood test, and get a second physical, and I went through all that until they told me they couldn't let me donate due to spending my birthday in the hospital for chest inflammation. When I asked them if I could get the info to finish up, they told me I would have to go through the application process all over again with no guarantee of approval, and I was like "Screw that!". I'm never going to bother wasting any time with plasma centers. You have to get screened for blood donating, but the process is much easier and simpler.

I just wanted to donate blood because that will help out more people, since they will split the blood into several components, including plasma.

[edgestar]

I think it's awesome to do something as selfless as donating blood. I can't , due to being severely anemic (and needing a transfusion over the summer because of blood loss). I tried to do it in high school, but I couldn't, so I appreciate that so many people are willing to donate, and help someone out.

[Mozenrath]

I've donated a few times. O Positive.

[edgestar]

I'm O positive lol