Has anyone here donated blood before? I did for the first time today, and it wasn't that bad. I thought it would be painful, but I hardly felt a thing. The worst part is when they stick the needle in and when they take it out. I couldn't even feel the blood being pumped out. If anyone hasn't donated before, I recommend that you do. It's not hard at all, and it can save lives.

i did it once, it hurt, and i haven't donated since :rock:

my friends do it often.

i've done it, it didnt hurt!

My dad does it often. I'll do it when I'm old enough (or find out about it )...

It probably won't hurt me that much, though. I get allergy shots weekly, with increased dosage, sooo i'm used to having that thing poked in my arm...

Heh. I was going to donate blood last year but I ended up not doing so caus i was scaaared and i didnt want to be interrogated about my personal life and my weed-smoking habits and such, and didn't, and im not sure a 125 pound guy should be donating blood anyway.

I did it the days following 9/11.

Felt so helpless and it gave me a way to feel as though I was doing something.

I did it for the first time a year ago, and it wasn't scary at all.

I believe you have to be 110lbs. I'm not sure, because I know I'm waaay over the minimum.

I did it the first time to find out what blood type I have. O - . Now I do it around every 3-4 months. Im gonna donate next week during our campus blood drive.

After each of the two times I donated blood, I ended up getting really bad cold/flu. So I don't think I'd be donating anytime soon.

I donate all the time. If nothing else, it's some quick cash.

I'm not allowed to donate blood. I've spent more than 6 months in Europe since 1986 and therfore am not allowed to donate blood.

Are gays allowed to donate blood in America? Because I'm pretty sure they aren't allowed to over here (unless it's been changed recently and I haven't noticed.) Lesbians can donate but men who have had sex with other man cannot. Apparently it's because they are "more likely to have aids and other sexual diseases." It's totally ridiculous of course, especially considering that we have one of the lowest AIDS adult prevalence rates in the world. I know the gay community isn't very happy about it and they have protested publicly but I don't think they've had any progress thus far...



Huh, do you get money for donating in America? Because we don't, here it's just seen as a good thing to do, there isn't any material gain involved.



May I ask why exactly having spent more than 6 months in Europe renders you unable to donate blood? :-s

oh crap I can't donate blood #-o Needles scare me anyways and I sometimes go into a panic attack. I use to have trouble breathing when I saw a needle i've gotten better but they still fucking scare me so no i'm not donating blood [-(

I'm assuming that's a joke... or you're just bull-shitting...

I was born and raised in Europe before moving to the U.S. and never had a problem of donating blood because of it... BTW, just using your data point: "Since 1986, I've spent more than 8 years in Europe" and was allowed to donate...

PS: And NO, I don't do it for money...

Even though only one of your questions was directed at me, I can answer two of them.

First of all, I do believe that gays are allowed to donate in America. As far as I know, every ounce of blood that is donated is screened for HIV/AIDS, so it's really not an issue if someone with HIV/AIDS donates because it won't get through to a patient.

Secondly, yes, you do get money for donating in America. It's nothing large, but it encourages people that normally wouldn't do it to give it a try.

i think the europe rule is bc of mad cow.

Eh?

It's not just Europe they take into question in their screening. From what I remember, they also ask if you've recently spent any time in Africa, etc.

I donated in November at the blood drive held by my school. I was scurrrred at first (not to keen on needles, but I can handle them). It was a piece of cake, though. The only pain you feel is a little prick of the needle, and even that hurts no more than the initial finger prick they give you when you go through the screening process.

You get money for donating blood? I guess it depends where you donate. Most people donate with the American Red Cross, which doesn't pay.

I know you get money for donating blood plasma, which is different. There's a blood plasma donation center near every college campus. :wink:

I donated blood twice, but I've lost weight since then and can't donate anymore.

I think if you've been out of the country a few months before you want to donate, you can't.

Isn';t donating blood and earning money for it kinda contradictory?

anyhoo. I know in canada my gay frirnd wasn't allowed to donate.

Actually no I wasn't joking. The Red Cross would not allow me to donate when I tried to participate in the blood drive at my school. It depends mostly on what part of Europe you have been to I think. It is because they don't have an acurate detection system for Mad Cow disease yet.

OK, I see the point... Mad cow disease...

Strangely, I donated blood four times in the last three years (in NYC and Chicago) and was never asked about it (Mad cow disease, I mean)... At least, I don't remember it...

I didn't get money for it since it was a school thing, but if you go to a blood center, you would. How much do they pay for it anyway?