Blood donations

[MarkB]

I posted this a while back (early 2005, actually), but it's since been purged from the database, so with a pile of newer members around here, some time passed, and a recent event reminding me of it, I figured it would be nice to open the issue up again. Here's the original text that I posted in February 2005.

A couple of serious questions for all of you:

How many of you give blood? How many of you give blood regularly?

I ask this because I received a 'phone call earlier from a friend of mine who happened to mention that someone I went to school with had been stabbed in the city at the weekend. He required a lot of blood transfusions and although he's on the mend now, it will take him a few weeks to fully recover.

Now I don't know the guy too well, we had our wars and scraps over the years we knew each other, but all in all, he was an OK guy. I never had any serious problems with him and when we did go at each other, it was mostly stupid stuff (As far as I can remember), like who's turn it was to get the weed, or who had some cash for food. We didn't keep in touch, but if we met by chance, we'd probably share a "Hey".

I was a little upset that he'd been stabbed in the first place, but knowing the kind of guy he was, it didn't surprise me. What did surprise me, however, is that I, or anyone else who has given blood recently, saved his life. Without the blood he recieved in hospital, he would have been dead within hours, if not sooner. If he had been in hospital any later, even as little as 2-3 minutes, he could have been dead.

I've given blood since I was 17 and I've known of how it helps people who need it (obviously), but it's never really hit home like this.

So I want to ask all of you, if you aren't doing it already, to do it if you can.

The United States blood donation service website is at http://www.givelife.org.

The Canadian blood services website is at http://www.bloodservices.ca.

The English and Welsh blood donation website is at http://www.giveblood.co.uk.

The Scottish blood donation website is at http://www.scotblood.co.uk.

I'm sure you can find your local blood authority via a Google search.

Think about it. If you, or someone you know, needed blood urgently, you would expect to be given it. You wouldn't want to hear something like "We don't have enough blood to give you". Why should anyone else?

Give blood.

Well, a similar thing happened this week with an acquaintance from back in the day, which got me thinking about this again. As you can see above, here are the links to some blood donation services.

http://www.givelife.org - United States blood donation service. http://www.bloodservices.ca - Canadian blood services website. http://www.giveblood.co.uk - English and Welsh blood donation website. http://www.scotblood.co.uk - Scottish blood donation website. Have a look on Google for other blood donation websites and information.

If you're able, I really do encourage you to consider donating blood. Put quite simply, it saves lives. There really is no reason better than that for doing something, is there?

For those of you who were considering it when I posted the first thread, how did it turn out?

[Homer]

i donate. in fact, i used to be the guy that organized the blood drive for my area. haven't gotten that up and running again since i moved though.

[MaddiesDaddy]

I'm going tomorrow morning actually. Being O+ I donate blood and platelets every 2-3 months.

Got into it when a colleague at work needed platelet donations and a company wide email went out seeking donors. I never met the guy and unfortunately he passed away, but from what I understand there were quite a few volunteers, which was nice to know.

I go first thing on Saturday mornings and it's nice because it's not busy. I have gotten to know the staff there and have fun chatting with them. When not chatting I take advantage of no kids being around and relax while reading my recent copies of Motor Trend or Car & Driver.

Anyway its an easy way to contribute to something greater than one's self.

[fred13]

I turn 18 next thursday, so I haven't had a lot of time, but since turning 17 I've donated twice, I'll be donating again in 2 weeks when blood services visits my school, and I'm donating marrow in the summer. I think anyone who cares for the sake of humanity should donate whatever they can. I'm going to be an organ donor too when I die.

EDIT: Just wanted to say thanks to Mark B for bringing this up.

[AstroEric]

I'm O positive as well, so I give blood n' platelets whenever I have the opportunity. It doesn't hurt as much as people think, so don't be scared!

[SeanRobinson]

I give at least once a year--I think the last time was in January. I'm AB+, though, so it's not quite as urgent.

[medric822]

I've given 2 pints of blood for my surgery, so I know what to expect. Probably as soon as I get my back brace off, I'll donate, which will be in 2 months.

[Filthy57]

We had a blood drive a few weeks ago at my school, and this is the first time since I've turned 17 that a blood drive has rolled around, so I did it. Not to mention, it was to benefit my friend's little brother, who is currently battling cancer.

[sully04]

I donated once, and I really should donate more, I'm O+ myself. Unfortunately i don't handle it well. The one time i donated I got sick as a dog. I got really dizzy, and I blacked out. Didn't feel well the rest of the day. That was a few years ago, and I've been trying to work up the courage to go back since. That said, dont take my results as typical, novacaine at the dentist makes me lightheaded sometimes. Everybody should donate if they have the opportunity