Giving Blood

nadia · cookie Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 8560 Location: Australia

I was wondering who here has given blood before. And I was also wondering how old you have to be to give blood. By giving blood I mean giving it to help people

IntrepidIsMe · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:24 am**

17 here in NY. I've never given blood, myself. But I've had it drawn before. It really isn't as much fun as it looks.

Lord Borg · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:27 am**

Gosh, Ive had it drawn several times and hated it. Never gave before, cant stand needles.

borgslayer · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:28 am**

" I am Vlad Dracula give me your blood! "

I have once but it was only when I had a doctor's check up blood test.

Seven of Nine · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:42 am**

I have voluntarily given blood. It wasn't too bad, but I did ask for a local anasthetic (sp?)

I was trying to get over my fear of needles. It didn't work.

You have to be 17 here to give blood, but there's all sorts of rules (to make sure the blood and you will be ok

) so I couldn't give blood until I was 18 (9 months after Sammie was born). I'm not allowed at the moment, partly because I've had surgery recently, and partly because of the medication I'm on. I do plan on giving again in the future, and I'm on the bone marrow donor's list, and am registered as an organ donor

As for having it taken at the doctors or hospital... I've probably given that lot pints and pints

If I can go three months without having blood taken it'll probably be a record

nadia · cookie Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 8560 Location: Australia

I have heard that with the taking of the bone marrow they drill into your arm :-/

Seven of Nine · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:45 am**

Here they drill into your leg

But I think they knock you out first

It's unlikely I'll ever be called up to donate bone marrow, but I'd do it if asked, as it'll be giving someone else a chance at life.

nadia · cookie Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 8560 Location: Australia

Yeah, cause I remember my friend was asked to give bone marrow and she was gunna do it and then they told her how they do it, but then she freaked out and wouldn't do it anymore!

Did you know that when you give blood your helping I think it's 3 people!

Seven of Nine · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:49 am**

Yup... I get a magazine every few months about it

nadia · cookie Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 8560 Location: Australia

When Im old enough Im gunna give blood

lionhead · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 5:47 am**

I can give blood. But i just don't think about it, ever.

Everybody should. and please, not any weird claims that you have a rare blood type and they need that. Becasue the common blood type is more in demand then any other.

Leo Wyatt · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 5:50 am**

I gave blood to my sister who was in dire emergency of blood when she was in surgery. She was in a bad car accident.

harrykims#1fan · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:07 am**

i'd give blood if i knew how....and could get over my fear of havin a needle sticking out of my arm

nadia · cookie Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 8560 Location: Australia

Well over here theres like this van thingy and it comes around and you go in and they take your blood. My brothers school has the van come to their school and at any time you can go and give blood, I think its cool!

Birdy · Socialist Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 13502 Location: Here.

I want to, but if you've placed a piercing you have to wait like a year before you can donate blood. For me that will be March next year. I will definitly do it then!

madlilnerd · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 7:40 am**

My mom told me that the age restriction in australia is only 14. If it was that over here and not 17 then I would give now. My mother has given blood for a long time (over 10 years) and as soon as my brother was 17 he started as well. It's very important to give blood to the NHS, as a sort of thankyou for not charging you for treatment.
My mum also said that if I die prematurely then all my available organs will be donated. That's important too, unless you're some kind of egyptian who believes that you need all of your organs in the next life and plan to have them put in canopic jars.

According to a leaflet they gave me, Jehovah's witnesses don't give blood. I think that's being selfish.

Birdy · Socialist Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 13502 Location: Here.

^

really?? 14?? Over here you can only do it from the age of 18... Because of puberty and growing and stuff. That's weird.

madlilnerd · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 8:03 am**

It's rather odd because 14 is legally a child. So, you could see this as an interesting take on children's rights.

Most teenage girls are so anemic that they wouldn't have blood worth taking (me included).

Birdy · Socialist Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 13502 Location: Here.

Yeah

weird.
True.

Well, have you heard of people that young giving blood? does anyone do that?

madlilnerd · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 8:07 am**

Birdy · Socialist Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 13502 Location: Here.

Yeah. I have no idea

But anyway, too young imo... You're still growing when you're about 14 years old, I don't think that's healthy... It's for a good cause, but still.

Seven of Nine · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:40 pm**

Blood is blood-red, sticky, and full of stuff

I think the reason they say 17 here is most people have stopped growing, or are near the end of their growth spurt, so they're less likely to get anaemic. That said, the cutoff point is set pretty high, so you can be on the lower end of normal for your iron levels, but not allowed to give blood. They also recommend you don't take iron tablets here, as if you eat a healthy diet and have low iron levels you need to see someone, and taking iron tablets would mask that.

Captain Patrick · Commodore Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 2421

I can't give blood, i try every year and they always tell me the same thing "Sorry sir but you can't give blood"

lionhead · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 3:30 pm**

B'Elanna Torres 7 of 9 · **Sat Aug 06, 2005 3:34 pm Re: Giving Blood**