Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Giving blood

Who alls done it? Theres a shortage, and I need to. But ill admit I hate needles. Call me a pussy I dont give a schit LOL
I have no issues getting blood work. That huge needle they use for giving though! PHEW!

Whats your experience been like? Does the "pinch" compare to blood work? Any tips so I dont feel light headed. Im serious y'all, I am already nervous and just want a decent experience.

I did happily until I told the Red Cross about my false positive Hepatis C test.

Please give, it is better to give, than receive.!!

Don't look at it.

I have it scheduled....which was a pain in the ass to even find a donation center that wasnt full! I checked 50 miles and nothing. Couple days later one opened up at a church right down the road, I dont know if it was a cancellation or not, it was full on that date when I looked before.




I dont plan to!!

pahick, shortly before you go to donate make sure you eat. Don't go in on an empty stomach, I've seen more than one donor hit the floor after donating because they hadn't eaten. A typical donation of whole blood, 1 pint, takes no more than 6 minutes. The screening you go through before you donate will take longer. Once you're in the chair, look away from the needle and relax. I donate every 4-5 weeks as I do apherisis, which is where they take platelets and plasma only and return the rest. I'm usually in the chair about 1 hour. I do it this way because I have the rarest blood type and that way I can help the most people. I have done over 250 donations, 102 of them were whole blood donations. You can do this!
k2nd

My sugar runs on the lower side for the most part. How close to the donation can I eat? Far as the screening the email I got from them said to fill out a questionnaire at RAPIDPASS . Does that help the screening go quicker? I dont even know what blood type I am. After all the tests ive done over the years I never asked them. And you didnt say anything about the "pinch"....must be worse than I thought, dear Lord!!!

The needle isnt the problem, the machine "sucking" feels weird.

The pinch feels the same as any other blood draw. I'm not sure the needle is any bigger. In addition to eating, it is important to go in well hydrated. Drink a few extra pints of water starting the day before your appointment. When you are done, stand up slowly to make sure your blood pressure is up. I have never had any trouble but my wife fainted the last time she gave. Good luck!

Machine? Im doing whole blood. They do a machine for that?

Thanks. Ya I think when they do my blood work its a 24 gauge. I think the donation thing is 16 or 18. Looks like pen ink refill!!

I give therapeutically every 5 weeks. Just an initial sting when the needle goes in (I'm blessed with good veins) and then a dull ache for a couple of minutes. After 2 minutes you don't really feel much. I'm usually done in about 6-8 minutes.

It's a rewarding feeling.

I'm a 26 gallon donor, Type Oneg, which is a universal donor. I stopped a few years ago when recovery started taking longer and longer.

For most folks, there's nothing to it. They'll have you fill out a questionnaire, interview you, test for iron level, and then put you on the recliner. The folks doing the insertion are pros, and you probably won't feel much. There's sometimes a "pinch" that fades quickly. When it's done, you 'll have to sit in a recovery area for 15 minutes to make sure you don't get faint-headed, and they usually serve you cookies, juice or something sugary while you wait.

Giving blood is actually good for you. It forces your bone marrow to churn out more red blood cells, making it more efficient, just like exercising a muscle.

You can't "catch" anything from giving blood. There's almost zero risk, and you save from three to five lives every time you give.

18.75 gal donor. Also O-neg. I do what is called Double Red's every 4 months.

O Pos try to go every time I'm eligible 59 units so far

Appreciate it guys

I have to lay on the table after it is over a bit, so I am not too lightheaded. I usually hang out a bit and have 2 juice box drinks.
They give you a report in a few days of your blood, including covid antibodies.
When you give them your email, the will hound you often. They always have a record shortage.
I only give blood, no machines for me.

Being AB+ wish I could but not able anymore. Not a big deal.

Wow, they give you a report on covid antibodies too? Good deal!

I used to when I worked for a utility and we had blood drives at work. B+ here. I don't anymore because in the rural place I live they don't have any blood drives, nearest donation place it 75 miles.

Type O negative here also so they’re on the phone the minute I’m eligible. When people talk about the needle thing I always say that their tons of things that hurt worse than giving blood. Hell, even a paper cut stings worse. You just have to focus on the good your doing for others and the next thing you know it’s over. Also free drinks and snacks. Dave