mhh ...

the hospital where my mum works sometimes has those special days.

it's probably annual and MANY people can go there and donate blood.

i'd definitely do it when i'm old enough.

i also own a organ donor id ... +___+

which means that the doctors are allowed to take out all my guts when i'm dead ...

i think it's good to help people who are sick ... we're just lucky

i feel like i hould donate, as i'm 0 negative, and that can be given to anyone in a serious need for blood :wacko:

 

but i faint easily, was iron deficient for ages, get freaked out by needles, and would be light headed and weak for a while. they do the blood donoring program at our school, and alot of girls do it, which is great, we even have a 'vampire shield' against other schools in the district and our school is winning by miles :P

go go go give blood! It's fun! You get free coke and biscuits :wacko:

i think i might wait till im 18 or something. that's next year anyway. i just don't want to collapse and everything now. i'm not feeling at my best now, got my major exams and stuff this year and then i don't want to screw around with anything :wacko:

Very wise decision there bonnie oh and by the by my comment wasn't aimed directly at you or anyone, just incase ya thought it was :D Just people in general should give blood......as oppossed to....erm....cows? :thinking:

 

Hmmm...I think I may go give some blood next weekend before any alcohol is consumed :wacko:

well you have to make sure you don't have any diseases before they take blood out of you and they won't accept any blood from anyone who has a disease. i think med records are a must for this' date=' they check them over and see if you're eligible. most *if not all* blood drives in the US make sure none of their donors have any kind of diseases :\[/quote']

 

 

Yes, this is what everyone supposes..but there are still diseases and such that aren't tested. They usually just test run of the mill diseases.

 

Also, your blood can have a reaction with the transfused blood...there are so many things you just won't know until you get the actual transfusion, and by then..it can be too late!

 

 

All I am saying is that there are always always other options to "one ways" ... so make sure you know em all before you make your decision. Its just that blood transfusions are SO big and alternatives so new, that few people know about them... but this is a really big decision, so get informed.

go go go give blood! It's fun! You get free coke and biscuits :wacko:

 

 

hahahah ! :laugh1: biscuits.

 

 

 

 

 

Ti... the "ungodly"remark was pure sarcasm... or something else, nevermind it.

I know that other people need my blood, so I give it them... And I'm 100% sure, that I won't become an infection or something... Before donation I must pass a few tests, my blood is given to analysis etc.

 

I think there is absolutely no risk... and I have never heard that someone got an infection because of giving blood :o :o :o

oh kids....we can play the research game...

 

But I will tell you that the fact is there ARE risks to transfusions. The blood is not 100 percent guaranteed to do you good. Either it trasmits disease, infections, or impurities...or your body has a weird reaction that makes your situation worse.

 

 

Of course they are rare, very rare...but who is to say you won't be that one person who is damaged by that rare blood transfusion? :thinking:

 

http://www.pulmonaryreviews.com/feb04/pr_feb04_transfusion.html

 

 

Just some risk related stuff I found :wink:

 

 

"...In fact, some evidence suggests that discretionary transfusions may be harmful. Another study, which randomized critically ill patients with a hemoglobin level of 7 to 9 g/dL to either a liberal or a restrictive transfusion strategy, found that 30-day mortality was higher in the patients given larger amounts of donor blood.

 

A third study of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting found that five-year mortality was more than twice as high in those who received perioperative blood transfusions than in those who did not (15% vs 7%, respectively). Even after the authors adjusted for demographic variables and comorbidities, transfusion was still associated with a 70% rise in five-year mortality.

 

These findings may seem counterintuitive, given the many investigations that have shown that higher hemoglobin levels are associated with better outcomes. “But getting there by transfusion may not be the thing to do,” Dr. Thurer concluded..."

 

"...IS THE BLOOD SUPPLY SAFE?

 

Public health officials are claiming that the blood supply is safer than ever, and that probably is true, said Richard K. Spence, MD. Nevertheless, blood transfusions can have a number of deleterious consequences, cautioned Dr. Spence, Chief of Surgery at St. Agnes HealthCare in Baltimore. Perhaps the best way to think about transfusions, he added, is as “liquid organ transplants.”

 

The current estimated incidence of transfusion-related HIV infection, for example, is one or two in one million. However, other infections, including malaria, hepatitis B or C, and West Nile virus may be transmitted through transfusion; there have also been reports of bacteria, parasites, and prions being transmitted through blood.

 

Infection may be the least of the risks associated with allogenic transfusions, though. Many well-performed studies have linked such transfusions to higher rates of disease recurrence and decreased survival in cancer patients, pointed out Dr. Spence. Blood recipients may also develop transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), a rare condition involving dyspnea, hypotension, pulmonary edema, and fever. The development of TRALI has been linked with white blood cell antibodies in donor plasma and with biologically active lipids that accumulate in stored red blood cells and platelets.

 

Immunomodulation is another possible effect of blood transfusions. The transfusions may trigger the systemic inflammatory response syndrome or even multiorgan failure if they increase the circulation of inflammatory cytokines. For example, interleukin-8 accumulates in stored blood as the leukocytes break down; it is also released by the body in response to free hemoglobin in transfused blood. <<the "weird reaction" your body can have when receiving a trasnfusion...

 

Some researchers believe that transfusion can lead to microchimerism, a condition in which the blood recipient harbors small amounts of the donor’s genetic material. Microchimerism has been implicated in the development of autoimmune disease and may possibly increase the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

 

Plasma filtration, leukoreduction, and other techniques are available to minimize transfusion-related risks by purifying donor blood. However, it is unrealistic to expect blood transfusion to be completely risk-free because there will always be human error, Dr. Spence asserted...."

I know that other people need my blood, so I give it them... And I'm 100% sure, that I won't become an infection or something... Before donation I must pass a few tests, my blood is given to analysis etc.

 

I think there is absolutely no risk... and I have never heard that someone got an infection because of giving blood :o :o :o

 

 

Yes, because you haven't met everyone in the WORLD who has received a blood transfusion. I mean, I know cancer has killed b/millions...but I have never MET or KNOWN an actual cancer patient :shocked2:

I have given blood only once. I donated it to my sis when I was 2 weeks only or something like that, don't know really when. She was about four and had some problems with her health so they took my blood, just a bit. I don't remember it, of course, but mom used to tell me this.

ClearAsCrystal: yyy... but I'm talking about GIVING blood, not about transfusion.

there is a risk in blood transfusion, I know that. But the topic is about donating - and this is 100% safe and no risk!!!!!

 

My uncle in his whole life has given over 60 litres of blood... can you imagine that? :o

Oh, of course...

 

 

But what happens after you give blood? It just sits there 100 percent NOT causing harm?

 

You have to think about the next part of the process involving your blood...

 

I wouldn't want to be held responsible, even in inadvertant reactions.

 

So I guess if you have a light conscience...okay...give on.

good points crystal :stunned:

 

i've never really thought about donating blood because first of all, i can't imagine the thought of extracting it out of my body like that.

 

secondly, you're handing over your blood to a stranger, someone you don't know. your blood might not cooperate well with theirs, and after it's been transfused there's not much to be done because, as crystal said, it may be too late.

 

 

but as with everything, donating blood a personal choice and in any way, the donator will be helping someone in need.

if there was no harm to either body after the transfusion...I would do it, no problem. But there is and I could never be held responsible for that :disappointed:

I've only given once but I'm AB so they always ask me to donate' date=' but I haven't been able to because you have to wait a year after tattoos...well I actually can now...maybe I will before I get my next tattoo... :thinking:[/quote']

 

That's funny you say that...I was just thinking about maybe donating blood soon, but my friend said you cant when you've recently had a tattoo, so i'd have to wait a few months. I didn't believe her, but now you say it! :lol:

Also, I think you have to be over a certain weight :thinking: , and i'm very light, so im not sure i'd be allowed. :\ But I really want to do it!

I weally wanna donate blood. :cry:

 

Don't you get money? haha. :wacko:

im still too young to donate blood but i really don't understand why people wouldn't do it. I just (one week ago) heard that the belgian hospitals need blood. I'd go over there and donate immediately but apparently belgians aren't very generous when it comes to their blood.

I'm also "young" to donate... I think would be good doing it when I get the enough age.

Oh, of course...

 

 

But what happens after you give blood? It just sits there 100 percent NOT causing harm?

 

You have to think about the next part of the process involving your blood...

 

I wouldn't want to be held responsible, even in inadvertant reactions.

 

So I guess if you have a light conscience...okay...give on.

 

Mmm, I don't think its about to make people afraid about this, obviously you're never sure that something is 100% safe but obviously good hospitals take care to reduce the most any possible risk...

 

When it comes to the donator all is okay if the methods are healthy and the syringe is new- sterilized. About the receptor I believe is just much more important that someone who had an accident to get blood so he/she won't die, not to worry about such little things when it comes to a "life-death" deal. Giving blood is definitely a good thing... althought maybe it has little risk, just like ANYTHING nowadays.

Oh, of course...

 

 

But what happens after you give blood? It just sits there 100 percent NOT causing harm?

 

You have to think about the next part of the process involving your blood...

 

The next process is SAVING SOMEBODY'S LIFE !!!

The risk of infection is very very very very small.... maybe 0.1% ??

So, that's why should I stop donating blood ??

 

I wouldn't want to be held responsible, even in inadvertant reactions.

 

So I guess if you have a light conscience...okay...give on.

 

But I take no responsibility if something happens! It's not my fault...

 

 

A few weeks ago I decided to donate bone marrow. I'm registered in the Polish database and when someone needs such a 'type' of bone marrow, I'll sure give it.

 

 

i've never really thought about donating blood because first of all' date=' i can't imagine the thought of extracting it out of my body like that.[/quote']

That doesn't hurt. You sit on a comfortable chair, 10 minutes and you can go home... and you become 8 or 10 chocolates (8 for 0.450 litresl of blood, 10 for 0,6 litres ;) ). And you have the good feeling - you have saved somebody's life.

 

 

 

secondly' date=' you're handing over your blood to a stranger, someone you don't know.[/quote']

If you want, you can give blood for a person you know, if he/she need it... Sometimes in my school there are advertisements that somebody (a student) need blood.

ouch. are you better now drea?

 

yep, yep :nice:

...one of the first things that doctors do when there's a serious accident and you're rapidly losing blood is hook up an IV and transfuse blood into you. soooooooooo...if people didn't donate blood, there would be a dramatic drop in survival rates of people with huge open wounds. i don't see the problem with donating blood.

I never said you shouldn't Ti...just wanted to let you know...make an INFORMED decision.

i remember my uncle would donate blood to get money, and he would use the money to buy his girlfriend dinner, haha.