Donate Blood?

Geo-TH,In · Jan 9, 2014

With the blizzard, all I hear on TV is Donate Blood, Donate Blood, we have a blood shortage Donate Blood.

When you go to the hospital blood isn't free, they don't Donate Blood to you.

Bet there wouldn't be a shortage if they paid people giving blood.

Is there a law against blood centers buying for blood?

Dan in Ohio · Jan 9, 2014

Yes I believe there is in most state since the emergence of HIV (AIDS) in the eighties. Paying people to donate blood attracts the the ones you Do NOT wan to receive blood from.

GarrettFields · Jan 9, 2014

However selfish it may be, I believe the good Lord gave me X amount of blood, and I do everything in my power to keep ALL of it! I would have no problem with a transfusion from/donating to a family member/friend, but blood from ?????. No thanks. I had never thought about them charging/you donating.

old-9 · Jan 9, 2014

You pay for the drawing and processing of the blood.

John in Nebraska · Jan 9, 2014

They are required to test every donation, every time, since the advent of AIDS/HIV. France did not and their health system is still paying for it. Go donate, you will see how much regulation, and hoops they go through to keep each one separate and sterile. Plus the Red Cross people can't work for free.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 9, 2014

I don't do it anymore. The last time I did I got sicker than a dog and nearly passed out and I haven't had the interest risking going through that again.

BigMarv1085 · Jan 9, 2014

I gave blood for years until having a heart attack 4 years ago. A couple of months ago I had to have a transfusion. If not for that I wouldn,t be here.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 9, 2014

I believe, as an otherwise healthy man, a little bleeding every other month is good for you. I go to the Red cross, not particularly because I like that particular institution, but because they are close, and easy. I agree selling blood might be counter productive, with the number of druggies, out there.

Dalex · Jan 9, 2014

When I was in the Navy in Memphis in '68, we would go down town and they paid us $15 each to donate. Maybe they've changed the rules.....

super99 · Jan 9, 2014

I do not give blood! I donate blood platelets (apheresis) I think it's called. Platelets are used to help cancer patients. I usually give a double, takes about 2 hours. I've had too many good friends with cancer not to help out as I can. Chris

Steve@Advance · Jan 9, 2014

I'm sure it varies state to state, but in Texas you can "bank" your own blood if you're going for a planed surgery and there is a possibility you might need it. That way you get your own blood back, no worry of what might be in it, no charges.

A person can donate to replenish the blood bank for someone else to help with costs.

A person can donate just to donate.

You cannot sell blood for medical purposes.

You can sell blood used for "other purposes" what ever that might be, cosmetics I think.

kevinecwi · Jan 9, 2014

I always take some cookies and apple juice.

farmerwithmutt · Jan 9, 2014

My neighbors daughter almost lost her feet in a farm accident i gave blood for the first time that week.when i worked in dubuque there was a plasma center there they paid for plasma i think 25 bucks a time. i had a problem with my leg and they wanted that fixed before i gave more but it was open early and late so it was easy to give there. not bad for a guy that passed out on a vet a little blood and im gone

Logan in S.E. Texas · Jan 9, 2014

I also do not give blood! I donate blood platelets (apheresis) I think it's called. I am not paid BUT if I ever need blood in the area that my local blood bank services I will not be charged for it. My company (nasty big oil refinery) regularly sponsors blood drives in the plant, they have a big bus that comes that 4 people can donate at one time. I have to go to "store front" location to donate platelets. Cancer patients need them to have a fighting chance to survive chemo. I personally think it's a good thing to do, trying to help my fellow man in some small way.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 9, 2014

I live out in the boonys so red cross has a blood drive in our small towns.
I give as often as they let me as a always feel better afterwards...now thats just me and how i am...
I get a lot of head aches and some days live on aspirns...Ya Ya I know its not good but its just the way it is... When i give i may go two weeks with out a head ache..
I always give a dubele..(spelling) as they like my type O pos
Cept the last time my count was a little low so i got put on probation for a wile.. :wink: :wink:

ss55 · Jan 9, 2014

Plasma centers will pay for people's time to donate blood plasma because it is a two hour process.

You can donate blood to the Red Cross as often as every six weeks, but four times per year (13 weeks) works better for me. The Red Cross probably has a website with plenty of information.

It is amazing, most men are either completely terrified to give blood or it's simply no big deal, there is very little midddle ground. For me the two important thing for easy donation are: to drink an extra pint of plain water both before and after I donate; and don't go to the the youngest prettiest nurse there, the experienced nurses know what they are doing much better.

valleview · Jan 9, 2014

The Red Cross is constantly holding blood drives where people donate a pint of blood plus 6 small test tubes extra that they carefully test. They check for HIV, Hepatitis, Mad Cow, others, plus they ask you if you have lived in Africa and other places and some personal questions. I think Red Cross blood is as safe as it can be and they do not charge you to donate. I have given gallons over the years- recently got a letter saying they had used my last donation for an accident victim in a nearby town. Daughter had a friend in a serious car accident who needed 7 pints of blood- its got to come from somewhere. There is a place in Mankato, MN that pays people for blood- not sure what it is used for. A lot of college students sell blood to them to raise beer money or maybe just lunch money??
Donate- you will feel good about helping someone out

teddy52food · Jan 9, 2014

That happened to me too. I never donated again.

Bret4207 · Jan 9, 2014

My father donated regularly for years. It was his understanding that if he ever needed blood he'd get it for free. When he did need it he was charged $300.00 a pint. He never gave again.

I won't give the Red Cross a nickle or a pint of blood unless I can see exactly where it's going. I've seen a bit too much of their shenanigans to trust the organization. The individual Red Cross member maybe fine, but the organization is just another greedy corporation.

showcrop · Jan 9, 2014

I donate periodically. I just figure that it is something that one should do. Heck, any of my family members could need it tomorrow, and what if not enough people gave? I do double something or other that helps newborn babies. It makes me feel poorly for a few minutes but it passes before I can get my snack and leave. Every one can come up with excuses not to but everyone's kid could need it tomorrow.

IlliniJohn · Jan 9, 2014

I think you are correct that men are either totally for or against blood donations - me, I was against it, for many of the reasons stated in this discussion chain, even though my wife donated often and regularily.
I think at times she would like to have donated my blood!!

Until a month ago - 8 year old boy, great-grandson of dear friends at out church, has watched his mother grow up, get married, have 2 beautiful babies, then the boy was found to have 2 brain tumors. They operated and got one, the other is too deep - -doing radiation and chemo.
He has needed 4 transfusions per week for at least 3 months.

They had a blood drive for him - wife couldn"t go, and I couldn"t think of a reason not to.
I went, expecting 30-35 people - -there were over 100 people there, many until 9:30pm when the drive was supposed to be over at 7:00PM.

Being A-Negative, they asked me to do a double red cell donation - -gave me back the plasma and platelets. It wasn"t intrusive questions, and really didn"t hurt.

And, it was the most peaceful, calm crowd I"ve been around in a very long time.

How could I not help a 8 year old boy?

Tim (NY) · Jan 9, 2014

The service club in our town sponsors Red Cross blood drives, in fact we're having one tomorrow. The blood IS free, the red cross doesn't pay for it or charge for it. The cost of processing it is not free. The materials they use to collect the blood costs. The people who collect, test, transport, house, inventory and distribute the blood costs. The sophisticated laboratory tests that make sure the blood you receive is free from HIV, mad cow, hepatitis, malaria, and a host of other dangers costs plenty. THAT is what you pay when you get the bill.

waltdavies · Jan 9, 2014

Having a heart problem I don't give blood but hope that others who can will. I'm going in for an operation in few weeks so please help me out if you can.
Walt

M-MAN · Jan 9, 2014

Didn't want any part of giving blood myself until the better half's grandfather had an operation & needed a bunch. Back then if family members replaced the blood the patient wasn't charged. Ended up giving pretty regularly after that until I could no longer do it a couple years ago. I was getting close to 6 gallons when I had to stop.

The way I came to look at it was someone had to do it. It was given to me & I had enough to do me with a little left over so why not?

JMS/.MN · Jan 9, 2014

First time I donated, I was at Ft. Bragg, NC, and Gen. Joe Stillwell, JR, had just creamed into the ground on a parachute jump. Was a holiday weekend, 1965, I"m thinking July 4/Labor Day...not too many troops around. He had a total malfunction of the main chute, a Mae West with the reserve. You hit at about 50 mph! (google Mae West parachute malfunction for the real "busty" definition!)

I was in the late stages of Special Forces training....we donated! Nice large shot of whiskey in the glass afterwards- they just said..."say when!". He recovered, walked again, but ironically was lost in a plane crash in the Pacific some time later. His Dad, SR, was a famous WWII General.

Donated often since, but not now. Last time, local blood drive, I showed up near closing after milking cows, and had to insist they take mine, they weren"t interested due to the good turnout that day. Now, heart pills won"t let me donate.

For those who can.....PLEASE do, save lives!

Bret4207 · Jan 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 21:40:32 01/09/14) The service club in our town sponsors Red Cross blood drives, in fact we're having one tomorrow. The blood IS free, the red cross doesn't pay for it or charge for it. The cost of processing it is not free. The materials they use to collect the blood costs. The people who collect, test, transport, house, inventory and distribute the blood costs. The sophisticated laboratory tests that make sure the blood you receive is free from HIV, mad cow, hepatitis, malaria, and a host of other dangers costs plenty. THAT is what you pay when you get the bill.

This was in the 60's. No tests back then, RC sells the blood to the hospital that wants it.

Al L. in Wisc. · Jan 10, 2014

George Marsh; I've given just over 12 gallons donating at the Red Cross blood drives. It gives me a good feeling. For a couple years or more they ask me to donate 'doubles'. Something in my type O blood can be used by infants as young as six months of age. Always friendly folks and where I choose to donate, they feed you REALLY good food. In this area there is a huge Amish turnout. Roll up your sleeve!

showcrop · Jan 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 21:39:05 01/09/14) I think you are correct that men are either totally for or against blood donations - me, I was against it, for many of the reasons stated in this discussion chain, even though my wife donated often and regularily.
I think at times she would like to have donated my blood!!

Until a month ago - 8 year old boy, great-grandson of dear friends at out church, has watched his mother grow up, get married, have 2 beautiful babies, then the boy was found to have 2 brain tumors. They operated and got one, the other is too deep - -doing radiation and chemo.
He has needed 4 transfusions per week for at least 3 months.

They had a blood drive for him - wife couldn"t go, and I couldn"t think of a reason not to.

I went, expecting 30-35 people - -there were over 100 people there, many until 9:30pm when the drive was supposed to be over at 7:00PM.

Being A-Negative, they asked me to do a double red cell donation - -gave me back the plasma and platelets. It wasn"t intrusive questions, and really didn"t hurt.

And, it was the most peaceful, calm crowd I"ve been around in a very long time.

How could I not help a 8 year old boy?

That is exactly what I am saying! I am O neg. and they really want my blood, and double platelets is what I do as well.

Mike M · Jan 10, 2014

Father in law was in hospital and needed some blood. Wife and daughter went down and thought they could supply him with some of known origin. WRONG ! Not sure of all the details but they would not take it from them and give it to him.
I am pretty sure type was not the issue.

Wife and daughter donated at the high school when the red cross vampires took it. Some of the kids in the class were really lucky they didn't get injured for life as one in particular got a nerve hit or something ? and arm swelled up and could not move it for a long time.

Mike M · Jan 10, 2014

I forgot to add that one time I had routine blood draw for tests and the next day I got sicker then I ever had !
Had some draw not long ago and was worried but seemed ok afterward just a bruise that took forever to go away. Both times the nurses did good as far as me not feeling it.

Doctors always say everything looks good. B.s. then why do I always feel like cr@p ?

EricInSEI · Jan 10, 2014

It costs the blood centers money to pay their staff, to transport blood, to refrigerate blood, to run lab tests. Who pays all this? If they don't charge for the blood they still have to charge for the expenses.

I think at one time it was legal to buy blood, and the winos would line up to sell. This wasn't considered healthy.

Plasma is different as it is processed. Back about 1978 I used to go twice a week to Plasma Alliance in West Lafayette. They paid $10 per donation with a $5 bonus if you gave 4 times in 2 weeks. It actually paid better than working on campus, financial aid didn't know, and I just sat in a recliner watching television.

EricInSEI · Jan 10, 2014

I have also donated several gallons of blood. I have some rare factor that made my blood extra desirable for treating cycle cell anemia. With all my prescriptions now my blood is not acceptable.

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