Red Cross says blood supply at lowest level in 15 years

[Touchy]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/sto ... 56545264/1

http://www.redcrossblood.org/

Lets talk about something irl...

Donate blood if you can

[FlamingOwlOfDeath]

This is really important. Please, if you have any time to spare, go to a blood drive or donor center. They really are in desperate need of blood right now.

[GoDM1N]

If I donate blood do I get a reserved slot and colored text?

[fingerman]

If I donate blood do I get a reserved slot and colored text?

Godm1n this is a serious discussion, meaning life and death to some people.

[Guy]

I would donate, but my blood is considered high risk. Just for being a gay male.

They turn me down even though I am healthy and don't have any infectious diseases or STDs.

That and I haven't had sex in about 3 years.... someone shoot me, please.

[Prof_Schwartz]

I've donated blood a few times. I'm O Positive which is common, so yea. Idk.

[Nikki Wolf]

Eh, I could never donate blood when I was in high school, since I almost fainted the first time I tried, and I really did the second time, which was an actual attempt. I just gave up with trying there, and even thinking about it kinda makes me feel like I will faint again -w- (not like they probably would take my blood anyways, since, from what Guy said, it seems like they don't want gay donators :/)

[Rologton]

I have done it before. I usually do it through my college, but it can be tough at times. My school has a nasty habbit of scheduling donation days right before a PT test.

It is always cool, though, to see all of the kids walking around with the tape on their arms during the donation days. There are about 4 a year and the turnout at my school is always great.

[MrElTacoTeh3rd]

Donate blood? Hell no, too scared.

[Smeemo]

No need to be scurred! I feel a little light-headed for a couple of hours after being drained of a pint, but that's it. It's on par with the feeling of having a glass of strong beer, and then I'm fine. A small number of people pass out afterwards, but hey, free nap in the care of medical professionals. Or if you have a needle phobia, that's something different, but what better way to face your fear than to do so to maybe save a life with no chance to end your own?

[GoDM1N]

Donate blood? Hell no, too scared.

I never got why people are scared of this kind of stuff. Personally I'd take a needle before they gagged me.

[Enigma]

Always wanted to give blood, but unfortunately I can't. At least I know a few good members of this community are stepping up!

[Patrid]

Last time I went to the doctor for a bloodtest (and EKG), turns out I have an abnormally high concentration of red blood cells in my blood.
Pretty sure this is a good thing, but just in case:

[Maringue]

I donate blood sometimes, but I have A positive, so they are fairly meh about wanting my blood since they can't give it to too many people. My mom is O neg, so they always pester her for her blood.

Also, on the side of awesome, when you donate blood you can get drunk sooooo much easier. Saves a lot of money for people with stupid high tolerances like me.

[Touchy]

I love to hear everyone's thoughts on this. I also learned something terrible, if you are gay you can not donate blood? That is crazy and needs to be changed. Lets see is we can get the word out about this blood shortage. Thanks

[Maringue]

I love to hear everyone's thoughts on this. I also learned something terrible, if you are gay you can not donate blood? That is crazy and needs to be changed. Lets see is we can get the word out about this blood shortage. Thanks

If you are a gay male you are classified as "high risk" for blood bore pathogens. It is bullshit. It's a hold over from the 80s when AIDS broke out when it was an actual problem.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) used to be called GRID. GRID stands for Gay Related Immune Deficiency. The CDC wised up after finding numerous straight people who had gotten AIDS and changed the name so that straight people wouldn't assume they were immune to it.

Oh, and just as an FYI, don't have unprotected sex with anyone in DC, we've got the highest AIDS rate in the country, or at least close to the top.

[xalde]

I love to hear everyone's thoughts on this. I also learned something terrible, if you are gay you can not donate blood? That is crazy and needs to be changed. Lets see is we can get the word out about this blood shortage. Thanks

Well we could if we lie on the questionnaire. I have, not like I date or have sex anyway -.-

Anyway after a bit of research I found this. Don't hate the Red Cross, hate the FDA:

Donor Deferral for Men Who Have Had Sex With Men (MSM)

The top priorities of the American Red Cross are the safety of our volunteer blood donors and the ultimate recipients of blood. On June 11, 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability voted against recommending a change to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policy of a lifetime deferral for men who have sex with other men. The FDA is responsible for determining donor eligibility requirements and the Red Cross is required to follow their decisions. However, the Red Cross does support the use of rational, scientifically-based deferral periods that are applied fairly and consistently among donors who engage in similar risk activities. We will continue to work through the AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) to press for donor deferral policies that are fair and consistent and based on scientific evidence, while still protecting patients from potential harm.

Source: http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-b ... #lifestyle

[Touchy]

So I gave blood yesterday. I had to answer a questionnaire beforehand. One of the questions asked if you ever had sex with a male. I put no. Next question.. not even once? Wat?

[GoldfishRT]

I'd love to donate but my body doesn't seem capable of it. I've been having blood drawn lately for other reasons and after one small sample I black out. What should have been a one time visit has taken 4 (they need 4 samples).

Of course I come back almost instantly, but not without vomiting all over then feeling quite sick for a few hours.

[gewf]

http://www.redcross.org.sg/wp-content/u ... final2.pdf
for underage donors, such as myself.
I had a blood transfusion when I was a few months old that saved my life, this stuff's important, guys.

[Knees of Justice]

I would donate.

But I have a huge phobia of blood. Seriously, I feel like I'm going to faint when I see that stuff, even in moderate amounts (I have once, actually).

[megamoose]

I'm 5'4", 100 pounds, 16 (17 soon!) who needs atleast 1/2 a pint of blood taken from me for growth reasons. I never faint, but feel woozy for ~10 seconds. I give myself needles everyday, so I don't understand why some people are afraid by a 1/3 mm think needle. If I could, I would probably, even though I have type AB blood.

[VoltySquirrel]

I actually want to donate as well, but I don't know if I can. My grandmother is British and for a good while she and my mom lived in Britain during the Mad Cow scare. Consequently, my mom can't donate blood. However, I'm not sure if that means I can't donate. Plus, the military keeps changing the rules regarding blood donations. Used to be that so long as you were 16 and had clean blood, you were clear. Now, I don't even know. I'll look into it. I want that cookie. Also, some soldier could use that blood. There's that too.