I gave blood for the first time today! I was a little nervous, but everything went fine. I got a little naseous, and almost passed out from trying to stand too quickly, but nothing serious. The nurse was very nice and helpful, and he did a good job. I felt a little off for maybe 3 or 4 hours afterwards, but I have felt fine since. So yeah, if you've been meaning to give blood... go do it! They take your pint and split it into 3, so you can help 3 different people at once! How cool is that?!?

Also, this was kind of funny. I was a little worried about my iron b/c I don't really keep track of my iron intake and I'm not great about remembering to take my multi, but the sample sunk just fine and I was able to give. My friend on the other hand, had a roast beef sandwich for lunch so that her iron would be good, and she ended up getting rejected for low iron (just barely). I jokingly told her that she needed to go eat some kidney beans and pepitas and other vegan high iron foods! But she was really helpful to me as I was recovering. I'm only like 115 lbs so missing that pint was pretty hard on my system.

Congratulations! It's such a painless way to help out, and there's such a need. I had to sit out for a year because I got a tattoo, but I'm about to start giving again. You've got some good karma coming your way, my friend. :D

This is one of the things I've always wanted to do but never gotten around to. :-/ I wish I knew someone who did it, I think it'd be easier if I had someone to go with.

Hmm, I guess I better plan on giving blood before I get my tats then. Good to know.

I went to donate plasma once, I thought I was good to go because I hadn't had any tattoos or piercings within the past year, and was turned down because I have a "questionable piercing". They said my hood ring "insinuates a certain lifestyle". Apparently even when (if) I choose to take it out, I can't ever donate. I guess same goes for blood. I was livid. I'd been there over an hour watching videos and having finger pricks for testing and filling out page after page of questionnaires. I told the guy "I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, ive never been drunk or high in my entire life. I don't even eat meat. You have a room full of crackheads wanting to donate to get enough money for their next hit, and you tell me my lifestyle is questionable?" Eeeediots. Can I have some of your karma?

Congratulations! It's such a painless way to help out, and there's such a need. I had to sit out for a year because I got a tattoo, but I'm about to start giving again. You've got some good karma coming your way, my friend. :D
yeah same here, i had to wait a year. but it's been one and a half actually. i'm finally donating again next tuesday. also, i was told you don't have to wait a year anymore. as long as you get tattoed at a certified shop in California(this rule might be different in other states, so ask about it).

I gave for the first time a few weeks ago, after being rejected a few times for being too skinny and having a tattoo. It was great! Little trouble trying to pump up my veins so they were actually bigger than the needle, but it didnt hurt and I felt fine. The nurses were really friendly and funny and the free kiosk afterwards has THE BEST ICED COFFEE EVER! Plus, now I know my blood type (O Pos...was a little dissapointed i'm the most common though, thought I was gunna be something rare and special :D )

This is something I've always wanted to do. I used to have problems with my iron though (ha, way back before I stopped eating meat), and I'm not that keen on having blood drawn. I really should get off my butt and do something to help people...

This is one of the things I've always wanted to do but never gotten around to. :-/ I wish I knew someone who did it, I think it'd be easier if I had someone to go with.

You should totally do it! You feel so good about what you have done afterwards - it makes any butterflies you have before totally worth it. And the nurses and/or phlebotomists are generally really nice and understanding if it is your first time. Find someone else who has always wanted to do it and be first timers together!

I have been donating regularly for 20 years now! I do it for the excuse to have juice and cookies! (the only time I allow myself to have Nutter Butters is after I donate!) :)

One tip about the iron count - I have been turned down twice for low iron (still healthy iron but just under the blood bank's set limit). So now the first thing I do is ask for the finger prick iron check before I do anything else that way is if it is too low I haven't wasted time answering all their questions and waiting my turn.

One tip about the iron count - I have been turned down twice for low iron (still healthy iron but just under the blood bank's set limit). So now the first thing I do is ask for the finger prick iron check before I do anything else that way is if it is too low I haven't wasted time answering all their questions and waiting my turn.


That's definitely smart.

i wish i could give blood SO much! (WAY too anemic)

everyone who can should! it's so important.

I can't wait 'till I can give blood. I have been waiting since I was 6 and my aunt showed me her little book that is signed every time she gives blood! When I'm 17, I can finally give blood, so like...5 and a bit months!

(O Pos...was a little dissapointed i'm the most common though, thought I was gunna be something rare and special :D )

But you ARE special, iceflower!

I went to donate plasma once, I thought I was good to go because I hadn't had any tattoos or piercings within the past year, and was turned down because I have a "questionable piercing". They said my hood ring "insinuates a certain lifestyle". Apparently even when (if) I choose to take it out, I can't ever donate. I guess same goes for blood. I was livid.

i wouldn't been livid too! You know, with only 3% of the popluation giving blood, you'd think they'd be a little more open-minded, yeah?

Personally, if any others of you have "questionable piercings" but are otherwise healthy, I'd just leave that part off of the questionnaire. And Pisces, I'd just leave it off if you give blood in the future... but I wonder if you're in their "no way" database now... Stupid of them!

It seems like everytime there's a blood drive in town or I make an appointment I get the sniffles. :grr:

According to the Red Cross, there's a blood shortage right now, so if anybody's been thinking of donating, now would be a great time. I just donated on Friday. It really does make you feel so happy that you've done something so helpful.

How much do you have to weigh to give?

I forgot what it was when I went the last time (got reject for a low iron count for the day).

soulshine- You have to weigh 110 lbs.

pisces- That's awful! You can have some of my karma! :)

I went a couple of days ago, and was expecting to be rejected due to low iron (I know I haven't been eating enough iron lately....), but I was told my iron was great!

So I gave. It was a piece of cake. I felt kind of wonky the day after, like I hadn't got enough sleep, but that could have been because I had a cat crawling on my head all night LOL :p

Fyvel, that's awesome!

Good for everyone, I'm not eligible yet since I gave in June, but I find it a personally rewarding way to give back a little.

Thats great to hear, Beth (and everyone else who donated). :D

I actually gave blood today. :) It was a great awy to use some PTO. I couldn't concentrate at work anyway. My iron was great and the lady taking my blood was really good. The only strange thing was my temp, 99.4. 99.5 is the cutoff. My usual is 97.3 so the high number freaked me out a little. I've had a near fever several times this summer, which is very unusual for me, expecially since I feel fine. Hmm. Thats a completely different topic, though.

i wish i could give blood SO much! (WAY too anemic)

everyone who can should! it's so important.

Ditto. I've tried but I'll always be amemic so no blood giving for me.