Donated blood for first time today....

[Shaw]

So Carter Bloodcare came to my school today, and I donated for the first time. It wasnt that painful and I didnt feel any different after i got up. I was however concerned about some of the people who donated blood. A good number of the people who donated use drugs and have unprotected *** quite often. I was just wondering if they test the blood before they distribute it to hospitals and stuff, if not i feel sorry for some of the people who will recieve the blood.

[molly747]

So Carter Bloodcare came to my school today, and I donated for the first time. It wasnt that painful and I didnt feel any different after i got up. I was however concerned about some of the people who donated blood. A good number of the people who donated use drugs and have unprotected *** quite often. I was just wondering if they test the blood before they distribute it to hospitals and stuff, if not i feel sorry for some of the people who will recieve the blood.

Are you serious? How old are you?

Um, they started testing blood, like, 20 years ago. Do the names "Arthur Ashe" and "Ryan White" ring a bell?

[Macs.]

Of course they test it before.

[HoboWithAK]

They test it. Don't worry. If it's bad, they just throw it out and any incentives to donate are revoked.

[bloddyaxe]

They don't check it all the time do they? that would take far to long time...
In my country they simply check each donor once by letting them give a slight amount of blood for testing and if the tests turn out healthy, they can return to give serious amounts of blood. However if they'd contract a disease in the meantime without knowing, some people might get tainted blood...

[Flagg]

I was in the NZ Red Cross facility earlier this week.

From what I recall, applications include about 2 dozen questions to assess a donor's risk profile. This is part of the "testing" process.

I reckon an actuary helped create it as I SUSPECT all testing is not conducted on all blood donations....probability probably plays a factor. I don't think it eliminates risk, just reduces it to an acceptable level.

I think testing typically just covers basics like Hep/AIDS/Syphilis.

There appear to be a number of equally serious, but mostly regional pathogens, like Chagas in South America for example. I don't believe ALL donations are subject to testing for it...possibly just those who did or are suspected of possible exposure.

[RoyalAir]

So Carter Bloodcare came to my school today, and I donated for the first time. It wasnt that painful and I didnt feel any different after i got up. I was however concerned about some of the people who donated blood. A good number of the people who donated use drugs and have unprotected *** quite often. I was just wondering if they test the blood before they distribute it to hospitals and stuff, if not i feel sorry for some of the people who will recieve the blood.

This is erie....


I just gave blood today also for the first time. The canadian blood services came to our school. I was the first to go through the process. I wasn't to nervous but i was a little shaky. I had to go through all the questioning and what not. It was funny as soon as the needle went the blood just came out. I filled my little baggy in about 3 minutes while others took 12-20 minutes. I felt fine after but i got a sore spot on my arm (no biggy) Got some juice and food, and a pin. I'm already booked for the next time they come.

[disabled1]

i have given blood once, and that was when i was in high school back in 98. i deployed to kosovo in 99 and havent been able to give blood ever since because of deployments. when i hit my year back from iraq point the 1st of may i want to go and give blood again. its a great service. i thought it was funny seing people pass out at the sight of needles. im just glad i didnt have to get that penicilin shot in the ass in basic. thats the only time being allergic to peniclin has been a advantage

[Shaw]

From what I recall, applications include about 2 dozen questions to assess a donor's risk profile. This is part of the "testing" process.



They asked about 2 dozen questions, but a lot of the kids lied so they could give blood anyway because we get community service hours for doing it, thats why I was hoping they just dont rely on the profile. It was quite funny seeing some of the people pass out, one guy passed out on just the finger prick before the main blood extraction. :lol:

[Zoomie]

From what I recall, applications include about 2 dozen questions to assess a donor's risk profile. This is part of the "testing" process.



They asked about 2 dozen questions, but a lot of the kids lied so they could give blood anyway because we get community service hours for doing it, thats why I was hoping they just dont rely on the profile. It was quite funny seeing some of the people pass out, one guy passed out on just the finger prick before the main blood extraction. :lol:
I don't know if they did this while you were watching, they take little sample vials and fill them from the line that feeds the bag. And from those samples they do the testing.

[James]

I was forbidden to give blood for 5 years after I went on a vacation to the Persian Gulf in 1995. I suspect I am still in that predicament after visiting A'Stan last year.

[molly747]

I swear, in America, they test every single pint of blood that is donated. Sure, they ask you questions, but people can lie (or simply be ignorant of their personal health). Otherwise, there would be insane amounts of lawsuits and diseased people walking around. It's actually a law.

What Happens to Donated Blood (http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_555_,00.html)

[Shaw]

From what I recall, applications include about 2 dozen questions to assess a donor's risk profile. This is part of the "testing" process.



They asked about 2 dozen questions, but a lot of the kids lied so they could give blood anyway because we get community service hours for doing it, thats why I was hoping they just dont rely on the profile. It was quite funny seeing some of the people pass out, one guy passed out on just the finger prick before the main blood extraction. :lol:
I don't know if they did this while you were watching, they take little sample vials and fill them from the line that feeds the bag. And from those samples they do the testing.

Ah thats good to know, they hid the bag of blood under my chair so I wouldnt see it, but now that you said it I do remember seeing three bottles from the person blood bag next to me.

[Flagg]

I was forbidden to give blood for 5 years after I went on a vacation to the Persian Gulf in 1995. I suspect I am still in that predicament after visiting A'Stan last year.

James I think Afghanistan and the Gulf Region are considered high risk for Leishmaniasis(the bad internal one) and Malaria for blood donation.

[Flagg]

I swear, in America, they test every single pint of blood that is donated. Sure, they ask you questions, but people can lie (or simply be ignorant of their personal health). Otherwise, there would be insane amounts of lawsuits and diseased people walking around. It's actually a law.

What Happens to Donated Blood (http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_555_,00.html)

And it's the same or similiar in most first world nations....but it doesn't guarantee the blood supply......the screening questionnaire and interview/review are integral in helping catch possible contamination, but it's no guarantee.

It's like flying in a plane...safe, but sometimes people still get hurt.

The only guarantee recommended by a surgeon friend is to donate your OWN BLOOD prior to having a procedure performed if possible.

[dunkin]

i have given blood once, and that was when i was in high school back in 98. i deployed to kosovo in 99 and havent been able to give blood ever since because of deployments. when i hit my year back from iraq point the 1st of may i want to go and give blood again. its a great service. i thought it was funny seing people pass out at the sight of needles. im just glad i didnt have to get that penicilin shot in the ass in basic. thats the only time being allergic to peniclin has been a advantage

dito

I give blood only a few time, mostly during basic, but I've been on so many deployments that I haven't hit my year mark once. I will say this, with all the vaccinations I've received, I think I'm more vaccine than blood!

[NcDeuce]

I was forbidden to give blood for 5 years after I went on a vacation to the Persian Gulf in 1995. I suspect I am still in that predicament after visiting A'Stan last year.

:lol: That'll throw a wrench in things.

I have a bunch of friends who are starting to give plasma so they can get some much-needed money. You can do it every 48 hours, up to 12 times a year so it's a good opportunity if you need the dough.

[Haiw]

I have a bunch of friends who are starting to give plasma so they can get some much-needed money. You can do it every 48 hours, up to 12 times a year so it's a good opportunity if you need the dough.
Damn... lucky bastards. :| Here you don't get a cent for donating blood.

[<Gypsum Fantastic>]

I have a bunch of friends who are starting to give plasma so they can get some much-needed money. You can do it every 48 hours, up to 12 times a year so it's a good opportunity if you need the dough.
Damn... lucky bastards. :| Here you don't get a cent for donating blood.

I'd sell a kidney if I could...

[James]

I'll give you $20 for your kidney.

[ridenrain]

A group of my friends in a motorcyce club give blood ad a form of good PR & as a karma banking. It costs nothing but time and gives one a good feeling. I started because I owed some and now I figure I may need some again someday. Any time you bleed in a nice clean, orderly way has to be good, right?