Give blood...Give Platelets...There is never enough.
I always listened to call for blood and have given over the years but never really was aware of how much one person could need until this past few weeks. My wife has been transfused with many units of whole blood and platelets and is still being transfused. I have decided to go back and be a regular blood donor again. This time I will give platelets as well.
If you can and I know for some people it is difficult to give blood, now is the time to do it. We are all aware when a natural disaster strikes but become complacent when the call for blood is not so pronounced as it is in Haiti. If you want to make a difference in peoples lives and actually make your own life better.......give blood.
Platelets have the shortest storage life of any of the blood products and are in great need. Men, studies have shown it is good to give blood because it helps with blood pressure and related problems. It can make you feel physically better.
If you can, think hard about giving. You may save a life.
I work at a Blood Institution (in Data Management) and I couldn't begin to stress enough the importance of blood and platelet donations. Rock is right, so many lives are dependent on the generosity of others donating. If any of you are in Oklahoma, you should search out the Oklahoma Blood Institute. It really is a great thing.
Last month we signed up at our synagogue to donate. It had been a number of years since I last did as it's not as convenient for us as it used to be when we lived elsewhere. I forgot to eat before we headed out. Needless to say, I was lightheaded for a good deal of the afternoon and will never again forget to eat before. I did remember to drink a lot of water before and after. If you're donating platelets, you need to also remember to not take any aspirin for 2 days prior.
Cheri
I am a wannabe blood donor BUT................... they wont take mine for one stuipid inane reason - I lived in the U.K. during the mad cow scare of the early 2000's. I tried to donate, but when they heard I had lived in the U.K. they said I could not give any. Begs to wonder if ANYONE in the U.K gives blood then? They have also had Mad Cow in Alberta, so I wonder if anyone in Alberta gives blood OR will anyone accept blood from an Albertan. There were a few instances of Mad Cow in the States as well so do they take blood from the peiople from the affected States? I wonder. In this day and age you would THINK that a simple test could be carried out to see if a wannabe donor has the human form of Mad Cow - CJD in their system. Until that test is available I will remain a sad 'wannabe donor'
I will be donating tomorrow and will look into the reason(s) in regard to the United Kingdom and Mad Cow disease. I was asked in detail about my visits to the United Kingdom before I was allowed to donate. I promised information to other members of the site and will obtain as much information for all of you as I can.
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