I donated blood back in November and I found out that I had O+ blood. Ever since I could donate again the blood bank has been calling me every 2 weeks begging me to donate again. It's not that I don't want to donate I don't have time and I just started taking dance lessons so I can't avoid not training. Plus the blood bank is a 30 mile drive from where I live. How do I reason with the blood bank? This weekend the lady on the phone really started to get desparate. She said a 9 year old with Sickle Cell Anemia relaly needs my blood.
2007-05-22 05:58:44 · 15 answers · asked by christigmc 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
I'll donate again when they're on campus, they were on campus in November, but I don't have the time to drive over to the blood bank.
2007-05-22 06:07:05 · update #1
I had a bad experience with the local blood center. Not with the collection of the blood, but with the rather cavalier attitude to the safeguarding of personal information.
During the middle of the interview process for eligibility I was left alone several times while they were called away to assist. I was left in a tented area alone with an easily accessible laptop that was displaying my social security number and the numbers of others who had donated blood.
After the tenth time they called during dinner time I asked them about their safeguards to secure my privacy. They haven't called back since.
I will donate blood but I will certainly not do it at a remote rally but instead at the main center where hopefully the staff will be better trained.
2007-05-22 15:25:41 · answer #1 · answered by mickbw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work for a blood center in the call department and I can tell you that even though there are THOUSANDS of blood donors in your area, only a few will donate regularly. O+ and A+ are both the most common blood types so, even though that means there are more people who can donate those types, more people in the hospital need that type also. If you really feel that you can't make time to donate at their fixed site tell them to put you on a mobile only call list because you can only donate when they are in your direct area (i.e. churches, campus, commpunit centers ect.) If the center only called everybody once a month they'd lose A LOT of blood donations. I know it's very annoying to get called every two weeks, but even though it seems too much, it's really one of the most important calls you'll receive. If your child was in the hospital and there were only a handful of people who could save her, wouldn't you be annoyed if people said they don't have time to attempt to help her because they are too busy dancing and such? Every single blood donation makes a difference...just put that into consideration.
2007-05-24 06:07:55 · answer #2 · answered by Brndn 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm O+ as well and I've never been hounded by the blood bank. You are only supposed to donate once every 6 weeks anyway, by the red cross standards. I try to donate every third month. I was hounded by the red cross for a few weeks about donating platlets (more involved than regular blood donations) but stopped when I said I was not going to right now.
2007-05-22 06:08:31 · answer #3 · answered by Lil Jello 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First they should not be hounding you. You can only give blood every so often anyway. Don't let ANYONE - even on this forum, place a guilt trip on you. What good will you be to anyone if you are donating so often that your own health suffers.
I am a dancer as well so I know the energy it takes and how donating can affect your energy levels.
Donate when you can. The gift of blood is a generous gift, but you should do it when you feel up to it.
2007-05-29 22:49:13 · answer #4 · answered by femmenoire@sbcglobal.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I gave blood a few times before I was 30. About that same time a very nice elderly man would call from the blood bank and he was so proper and cute that I gave in. He knew when I was eligible and never called too soon. I thought, "Wow! I must have very special blood!"
I later found out I was not so special LOL! I have O+ blood and there is some characteristic in it that can be given to premature babies. I am up to three gallons and only had to stop when my own health took a few steps downward.
I had a problem only one time. It was very warm in the room and I had on a pullover sweater and boots! They kept an eye on me and gave me more cookies for half an hour.
2007-05-28 12:09:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
look, the blood bank is NOT going to use your blood for a specific person - it will first be tested, etc, and then shipped and processed - it could be used for anybody - also, they WILL discard it, if it isn't used. If they are a legitimate blood bank just mention to them that you have JUST got back from an overseas trip to various parts of Africa, and India, etc. I say this because one CANNOT donate blood for quite some time after traveling to certain parts of the world!
2007-05-22 06:12:57 · answer #6 · answered by Daniel F 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The blood bank calls for my husband every two weeks also. I told them that he just does not have the time during the summer months. they only call every other month now, much better than weekly. Good luck
2007-05-30 04:37:54 · answer #7 · answered by Jenn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What if it was you or your child who needed blood? And what if people told you that they were just too busy or lived too far away to help you? You have time for dance AND giving blood. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that's it's ok for you not to donate blood because of your whimpy excuses.
2007-05-22 06:05:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Wow they are giving you a guilt trip. If they really need your blood, find out if you could give it at your local hospital for them. Only if you really want too. Tell them that you do not want to be contacted again.
2007-05-22 06:05:25 · answer #9 · answered by Bandit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would just very politely tell her that you will give when you have the time to do so. tell her that you donate when you can
2007-05-29 23:51:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋