S/O: Do you donate blood?

[ourbabygirl]

Why or why not?
Care to describe how the pain compares to other things for those of us who are too chicken to do it?

Thanks!

[lmh2402]

yes, i have - though not regularly b/c i am off-n-on anemic

it hurts...it's a pretty big frickin' needle.

not to be too graphic, but i usually feel it "pop" into my arm

and though i'm looking the other way, the feeling of the "pop" usually makes me feel a bit queasy

as for why...i guess i just view it as why not?

my body is constantly making more

there is a need for it

so, why not

it hurts...but not that badly. like, other than maybe feeling a bit lightheaded for a short time afterward, i have never had any residual pain or reason that made me think twice the next time

[maestramommy]

I haven't done it in a while since I always seem to be pregnant or nursing, and it's just not convenient for me. But I used to all the time in college. And I think I did whenever the opportunity arose. Dh used to donate to the Red Cross regularly before we moved. He'd get a call every few months and off he'd go.

I think it hurts about as much as getting your blood drawn. Which for me isn't much. I don't have a problem with needles though. I can do my own finger pricks

[SnuggleBuggles]

I have not but I really should. The biggest reason I don't is because they call all the time here if you give once (I loved with my ILs for a bit and they got so many calls from the blood bank). I am going through this phase where I wish I could find out ways to give to any charity anonymously or opt out of solicitation because it is holding me back. I hate the wasted resources contacting me to do anything. When I want to, I will. I know that is horribly selfish of me.

Beth

[MelissaTC]

I wish I could but I have a needle issue and the couple of times I have tried have led to me freaking out and/or practically passing out.

[KrisM]

I haven't done it in a while since I always seem to be pregnant or nursing, and it's just not convenient for me. But I used to all the time in college. And I think I did whenever the opportunity arose. Dh used to donate to the Red Cross regularly before we moved. He'd get a call every few months and off he'd go.

I think it hurts about as much as getting your blood drawn. Which for me isn't much. I don't have a problem with needles though. I can do my own finger pricks

The donor center was close to work and I'd go every couple months. Now, if I can squeeze it in at a local drive, I will.

I've donated 35 pints so far.

[WatchingThemGrow]

No, I have low blood pressure and almost pass out when they take my blood at the OB. Chicken.

[JBaxter]

I have in the past but not since Ive had Jack.

[Gena]

I'm a blood donor. I have several "gallon pins". I used to go every 8-10 weeks. But now I usually do a "double red" donation, which means that instead of whole blood I give 2 units of red blood cells (the other blood components are put back into me). It takes a bit longer, but I can go half as often and do just as much good.

My Dad was a frequent blood donor when I was a kid. He has a rare blood type (AB-) and before he had health problems he felt it was his duty to donate. When I was a little kid and I asked Dad why he donated blood, he told me that it was just something you do, like voting or giving to charity. So that's the attitude I grew up with.

[Penny's Pappa]

I used to donate whole blood. I'd go with a few co-workers during our lunch break. There's always a need for blood and like others have said, I have plenty to give, so why not?

There's a bit of a sting when they first stick you, but it's really not that bad. Kind of a medium strength pinch. The pain goes away about as quickly.

Nowadays I donate platelets and plasma. That's another experience altogether.