Who else out there is a blood doner and how many donations have you given?

Question

I'm really proud that I've given 30 donations inspite if the fact I have had 3 kids (your not allowed to give while pregnant or for a year after)
I plan to keep donating until I'm too old to do so.

My son had cancer (Non Hodgkins )when he was four and required several transfusions to get him through his treatment.

I was so grateful that there was blood available for him when he needed it, and would like to thank all doners and encourage more people to do it.

Why would I not get that someone had a fear of needles?

I understand completly that not everyone wants to give blood

Answer 1

Hi. I've donated blood (I'm a VIP donor) since 1978. I'm up to my 38th gallon!!!!!!!
It's a great feeling knowing that my blood, plasma or other byproducts may help others, relieve pain, save lives....
I'm a social worker.....so this is just another way I can help people in need. It costs me about one hour of my time.....and the cookies and juice are great! You also meet the most caring staff who take their job seriously.
One hour donation.....can help as many as twelve people, I'm told! Keep on giving!

Answer 2

I'm with you. I've been giving since I was old enough (17?) and I'm 34 now. There were times when I couldn't (I have 4 tattoos), but when I can, I do! I have never needed a transfusion or known anyone close that has, either, but it's so important that it be there when it is needed!

I can't comprehend being "scared" of needles...they aren't monsters! You get a little pinch, if you feel anything at all. Sorry, but I think it's incredibly selfish not to give blood because of that petty reason, or to not donate organs that will rot in the ground.

Answer 3

I received blood when I was 15...2 pints after a somewhat botched hernia repair surgery.

I've only donated once...last February. I'm so glad I did though. About 2 months after I donated, I found out that the blood center detected an unexpected antibody in my blood (it's very likely I got it from the blood transfusion). The antibody is called Anti-K or Anti-Kell. I had to find out from one of my doctors what it was (luckily it was my OB that had heard of it). It poses a possible threat, alot like the Rh Factor, to expectant moms. We weren't pregnant then, but had my husband tested to see if he was Kell Antigen positive. He was. Only like 10% of the population is, or so I was told. Anyway, he had a 50/50 chance of passing it on to the baby if we ever became pregnant. We had been trying at the time. We found out what it would possibly mean if we decided to have a baby. We chose to try and prayed that everything would be okay. On July 28, 2006, I found out I was pregnant. I did routine OB appointments and then went to a high-risk doctor at 19 weeks. Had an amniocentesis and sure enough, the baby had the Kell Antigen like his daddy. The risk was that the antibodies in my blood would cross over the placenta and attack his blood. In turn, he could become severely anemic and if untreated, it was possibly fatal to the baby. So, I went every week for ultrasounds and at 36 and 37 weeks, I had amnios. A test that they did on the fluid came back a tad elevated, but they didn't want to induce since the lung maturity was coming back too low for him to breathe on his own. After the 37 week amnio, they decided to induce me on March 16. Well, someone didn't want to wait. On March 12, as I was leaving work, my water broke.

On March 13 at 2:34 a.m., I gave birth to Jonah...a healthy 6lb 15 oz little boy that was 20 1/2 inches long. Only problem we had was that he had jaundice. The antibodies crossed over the placenta the last few weeks and this made it harder for his body to remove all the jaundice. We left the hospital where I had him on March 16 with portable bilirubin lights to put him under. We went back to the ped on March 17 and they admitted him to the local children's hospital since the home lights weren't working like they wanted. We were there until March 20. Went back to ped on March 21 and he was doing great. He's been wonderful since.

So, blood donation in my opinion is a wonderful thing for so many reasons. If I hadn't felt compelled (I was scared to death to do it until that one day I did and I was very adamant about it since they were low on my blood type) to donate that day, I would've never known about the antibody and would never have had the chance for my husband and I to be educated about what could happen. We would've found out after I was pregnant like most people do and been scared the whole time. I WAS scared, but I was well-informed beforehand.

If it hadn't happened that way, I might never have had this beautiful little boy that is lying next to me.

Answer 4

I have been a blood donor for over 30 years. the blood bank used to call me and ask if I could donate for someone having surgery. I'm glad your son is alright. giving blood doesn't hurt and can help more than one person. everyone should give if they can.

Answer 5

I was a faithful donor every 3 months, until I started taking medication that made me ineligible..
I liked the feeling of knowing I was doing good for someone out there.. the nurses liked that I was in and out of there in 5 minutes .. but the cookies were nasty!

Answer 6

I dont expect you to get this but i am scared of needles so i could never give blood. If i have to have a needle i have to lie down and after stay there for 10/15 minutes, its horrible.

Answer 7

I gave alot as a young person. Now that they insist on a social security number I never will again. Sad really, it was something I was proud of.

Answer 8

I had given 3 times
( B Rh - )

Answer 9

I have... I have done double apheresis units. I am A negative, and negative for CMV, so my blood can be used on babies, and folks who need to have solid organ transplant.

Answer 10

i am going to give my 25 th on friday .