For those wanting to give blood......

[sarhea]

OK, in reading through the threads discussing this horrible tragedy, I see that several folks reacted as I did...."gotta go give blood!"
Here's what I was told when I called my local red cross.

Don't just show up. Red Cross offices around the country are backed up with folks wanting to donate blood. They do want your donations, they just ask that you call ahead because they are scheduling appointments so that they can get in everyone who wants to donate. Now this is just what I was told by the steuben county indiana red cross. Other branches may be doing it differently. All the advice I can give is to just call your local red cross before ya head out there.*Smile*

Prayers to all of my fellow citizens, especially those most affected.

~Sar

[emraldshadowcat]

Thank you for telling me!! Now I know what to do!
Blessed Be!

[Autumn Gemini]

I called the Red Cross in my area about giving blood. I was told that since I have had a major surgery in the last year I could not donate. It's only been 6 months since my emergency c-section. So before you go to donate, doublecheck with your local Red Cross about the rules. Goddess keep you all safe!

[SimplyStrange]

Damn I wish I could give blood I really do! I have AB+ so my mom says I should always give blood...but I'm too young. I'm only 15. I think you have to be 16 with parental consent. :( I really want to help...

[Niamh]

SS, you're "too young" and I'm under the weight limit!

Anyhow, I live in Stamford, CT which is just over the NY border... many injured from the City are being brought to our hospitals and the need for blood is great.

I called from work today and got through after about 45 minutes of a busy signal.

Call ahead, make an appointment. Some types are in greater demand than others. And check for rules, etc. Age, weight, recent surgery, recent tattoo, etc.

Blessings to everyone

[tiamat-4]

I gave some last semestre as part of a campuswide homecoming week event. That kicked my ass. It was the first time i had ever donated and I had no idea how difficult it was to donate 1pt. I made it to 2/3 pt when i nearly collapsed and my arm clotted so that was all my body could muster. If those ads are any indication of how much it saves, then it is my hope that my 2/3 went to 2 people, somewhere.

I still have no idea what my blood type is.

[NiftyWings]

I can't donate right now, because I've had tattoo work in the past year. I really wish they would change that rule!

[Thereca]

Pesronally think alot of the rules for doanting blood should e change. I know a man B- very rare and highly needed blood. Hew tess for std and HIV every 6 months he runs and excercises eats well is totally healthy been n a committed relationship for 19 yearsno tattoos, no pierciing epidemy of health. they wont let him donate beacause he is a Gay Male.. regardless of clean bill of health and rare blood ..seems a bit silly to me..in actuallity his whole family total of 5 is B- and two of them are excluded from doanting on that basis alone being GayThree are excluded for (straight) Health issues..heart problems and blood thinners.

[Happy Shrew]

The Red Cross has recently added the requirement of a photo ID, at least in New York. If you don't already have a donor card, bring a driver's license, school ID, anything with your face on it.

[Findarto]

I gave some last semestre as part of a campuswide homecoming week event. That kicked my ass. It was the first time i had ever donated and I had no idea how difficult it was to donate 1pt. I made it to 2/3 pt when i nearly collapsed and my arm clotted so that was all my body could muster. If those ads are any indication of how much it saves, then it is my hope that my 2/3 went to 2 people, somewhere.

I still have no idea what my blood type is.
*Bangs head*

This thread is from 2001...

[Thereca]

Yes butit is still so relevant, donating blood is something most people dont give thought to unless there is a major castastrophe..of which we have had our share... but it is an everyday day need in catstrophes that are not so wide spread, or big enough to catch the media attention...any thing that will reminds us to give somethiing back to the community at large is well worth revisiting. Yo know little hwo much those few minutes of time and that one unit you give today means unless you find a family member or a friend etc in the midst of their own personal catastrophe and the supply isnt there.

[phoenixblayze]

*sigh* i will never be able to donate blood because i lived in germany before 1990.....im excluded........im not sure exactly why, but i tried to give a few years ago, and thats what they told me.......and its only been five months since my last tattoo

[Happy Shrew]

Eligible donors who are O- should also be aware that their blood is often used for emergencies with babies, along with situations where there's no time to determine the person's blood type. :)

I'm not up again for another month, but when I am I'll drag my guy along.

[CoolJ]

Nobody wants my blood unless they wanna die of a heart attack

[LostSheep]

*sigh* i will never be able to donate blood because i lived in germany before 1990.....im excluded........im not sure exactly why, but i tried to give a few years ago, and thats what they told me.......and its only been five months since my last tattoo
*blink* are they worried about mad cow disease or somethign? Germany's hardly somewhere they'd need to worry about strange diseases, surely? :foh:

[LostSheep]

*doh* sorry

[blueangel]

It's funny that the blood service is stacked with people trying to donate because here in the UK there is ALWAYS a shortage. Do you get paid or something?

[phoenixblayze]

in the states you only get paid if you donate plasma

[phoenixblayze]

*blink* are they worried about mad cow disease or somethign? Germany's hardly somewhere they'd need to worry about strange diseases, surely? :foh:

im not sure........i thought it was weird to. the last time i tried to donate was when i was in basic in 2004, and they made us all line up, and they started asking questions like, have you had any tattoos in the past year, and if your answer was yes.....you had to step out of line.....and the german residency came up, and they wouldnt let me.........ahhhh, apparently i have been contaminated with the love of jager shnitzel :)