First Time for Everything

[arkjarhead]

Today I donated blood for the first time. I hadn't done it in the past because I was scared it might hurt. Well to be quite honest I thought the whole process was pretty much pain free. I was really nervous about the needle they use to draw the blood, but there was nothing to it. The worst part was when they pricked my finger to test my iron. One of the guys there told me it was really a good idea for men to donate at least twice a year. He said the reason is men usually have a high iron count and donating blood can lower this, which decreases the chance of a heart attack. Thought I'd pass that info along. So if you have never donated blood there is a reason to donate that will benefit you directly weather you ever make a withdrawl from the blood bank or not.

 

[cheri1122]

Well, that settles a quetion I've sometimes wondered about: which branch of the military produces the toughest soldiers? I think the Marines, cause it takes a whole lotta guts to admit to being scared that donating blood might hurt!
Whatever convinced you to do it, Arkjar, keep it up. Not because of what "some guy" told you, (which sounds like BS to me), but because it's such an easy way to help so many others who need it desperately. Donated blood is separated into its' components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma, so one donation can help several others, at no cost to you. (Your body will quickly replace the lost blood - including that pesky iron.)
Do it because it leaves you feeling good, and where else can you get that, and cookies, too?

 

[davebeckym]

My Dr. told me I have Iron Overload and that I should donate blood every 6 weeks or so. Men, and women who are post menopausal, should not take vitamins that have iron in them.

Most people don't have to worry about this condition but, If you have a large hard belly like me, Iron tends to accumulate. It has something to do with the Liver and the Para-thyroid.

 

[terryandrene]

Many years ago and far far away, I was enjoying my umpteenth 25 cent beer with a few shipmates in a Boston tavern. Late in the evening, we were approached by a retired old salt who told us about the great treatment he had received at a Public Health Service Hospital. He went on to say that he would like to express his appreciation by helping others thru the donation of blood, but he was medically unfit to do so. He offered transportation to the hospital and $5 each if we would help him with his mission. As young Seamen we were earning $98 a month, so $5 was a huge amount for us; actually 20 beers.

The following day, as liberty was granted, we all left our ship and accompanied Old Salt to the hospital where we each gave up a pint of our life's blood. After about an hour with the phlebotomists, we were treated to deli sandwiches, blood replacement with an equal amount of beer and transportation back to the tavern where we bid adieu to our benefactor.

A few years went by when once again I had an opportunity to donate blood to help an acquaintance who was in need of a transfusion. Being an old hand at blood letting, I gave up another pint and felt so physically and emotionally good about it that I continued to donate for many years. I've been unable to continue but I have an eleven gallon donor pin from the American Red Cross as a reminder of times past.

A pat on the back to Arkjarhead for his contribution, and a challenge for you to get yourself a twelve gallon donor pin; you'll be doing a lot of good for strangers you'll never meet, and you'll feel good doing so.

 

[hondaking38]

my wifes son graduated fron CMU this year and it seems a majority of the school donated plasma once a week..for the extra money..it gave them a extra 30.00 a week to spend, which doesnt sound like much, but when you are on a budget, everything counts..as far as needles, ya i would rather take a hit then a needle...the fear of a needle is a big thing,,big men can drop like fies, which i am sure you saw at boot camp..

 

[greg334]

Wimps! Oh that was about me... :*

No.... really.... I thank you arkjarhead for the post and the idea should all give blood when we can. Talk about the ultimate renewable resource.

Needles are nothing to worry about, I got sick over this iron issue a number of years ago (non-hereditary hemochromatosis) where the treatment was to give blood twice as much as a normal person would be allowed. I was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks when I got really sick and got stuck with the entire bill. None of the specialist could figure out what gave it to me or how it was triggered after a lot of horrible test with lots of needles.

But with all that said, it was explained to me any form of hemochromatosis or high iron will help you get the following;

* Joint disease
* Severe fatigue
* Heart disease
* Elevated liver enzymes
* Impotence
* Diabetes

Drinking some beers/mixed drinks, eating nothing but red meat and taking a lot of vitamin C will help this all along.

Oh remember the smaller the needle the more painful it can be in your head

 

[pelicn]

I started donating blood while in high school. What began as a cool way to get out of that dreaded Science class, has continued throughout my life.
I had also heard that men needed to donate because they didn't lose blood every month like women did.

 

[LDB]

>Oh remember the smaller the needle the more painful it can
>be in your head

The bigger the needle the more painful it can be in your arm. It does seem to hurt more when they stick your finger though, unless they have one of the spring loaded sticks. I have fun with it. When they start to swab the betadine I flinch really big and say ouch. Usually they jump back like they've been shocked. I just smile and tell them I was practicing. We both get a laugh and then get to business. I bleed fast so I'm usually finished by the time whoever I'm with has half a bag. That gives me more time with the juice and cookies.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[cheri1122]

There's an idea: if the Red Cross could be onsite at next year's Expediters Expo, we could donate blood, and then start the important process of replacing it, at the bar - I like it!

 

[arkjarhead]

Terry,
I'll take you up on that challenge. One question though. How many pints are in a gallon? My history teacher in the 11th grade was a 20 gallon donor at the time. He said he got high off giving blood. I really didn't experince that eurphoria but it was a good feeling. I actually feel better physically since yesterday. Don't know why.

 

[AnneM]

8 I believe.

Cheri that is a wonderful idea. Give blood at one of the Expos. I give regularly. I have veen banking mine as of late, I am a live donor for my brother and we were told to bank our blood because it is negative and if he should need a transfusion after the transplant they will just use our blood. But I feel a bit left out. I haven't been getting cookies. I have b een getting granola bars. I would much prefer the cookies!

 

[arkjarhead]

Cheri,
I think if we could get a bunch of people to donate it could be good pr for the industry. Just a thought.


Anne,
We got soda and cookies. Plus a tshirt. It said I have a job, i voulunteer, I give blood. What do you do? Well I don't have a job, but I do volunteer. That's unless you count full time college student as a job. BTW got my mid term grades today. A,b,b,a. I'm pretty proud of that. Sorry for bragging on myself.

 

[greg334]

"That's unless you count full time college student as a job. BTW got my mid term grades today. A,b,b,a."

Yes it is a job, and congrats, that is great

 

[AnneM]

You should brag on yourself! Congratulations!

I go so frequently that I get granola. Bummer. I wonder if we don't use our blood after the transplant, they'll reimburse me for all the cookies, soda and t-shirts I have missed out on!

 

[RichM]

I have O Negative and have made many donations over the years when a child is born and needs that immeadiate transfusion due to RX something or other.

It's a very strong positive emotion knowing that you contributed to a new life that just may discover a cure for something or other.

 

[cheri1122]

I have a negative blood type, too, which causes RH problems for unborn babies. But still, I started donating plasma for the money, many years ago, and have continued, switching to whole blood when the money wasn't needed. (If the truck doesn't get out of the shop pretty soon, I might have to go down to W 25th St again, lol)
Arkjar, congratulations, good job! The T shirt reminds me of one I found for a nephew last year: "I don't have a job. I don't have a car, either, but I'm in a rock & roll band!"

 

[pelicn]

I'm a neg blood type too......Cheri, that's a great idea..have a bloodmobile at the next Expo!

 

[RichM]

How about a little raffle. If you donate blood you get a ticket and then it goes into the barrel and the first 3 winners get a fuel card or something similar. This would be great PR for the Expo.

 

[pelicn]

Awesome idea Rich!

 

[terryandrene]

I wanna win a six pack of Bloody Marys