fat biker

Greetings All,

Hope this finds you well.

I am a periodic blood donor. The Red Cross just cannot get enough of O- blood.
Recently Red Cross called to persuade me to donate. As they had a mobil three blocks from home I signed up.

This phone call started with "Thanks for saving 30 Lives"
I guess they take your # of donations and multiply by 3.
I am happy to donate as this is a vital community activity.

New Weight?
Two saturdays ago my nephew suffered a potentially mortal injury.

"R" is done installing two windows at the clients home and loading up the truck, lifting one of the replaced windows onto the truck, glass breaks and cuts his right bicep to the bone.

Severed Bicep, Severed Nerves and Severed Artery.

Were it not for the quick action of the homeowner, R's worker and two passersby that stopped to help R would certainly have bled to death in the street.

It took surgeons 8 hours to put his arm back together.
It took 5 units of blood to bring him up to the "full" mark.

Sure brings into sharp focus what is important in life.

He's home, still has his right arm and all five digits wiggle on command.
That is the rare win-win-win.

So, if you are a blood donor I say THANKS!
If you have never donated before, please consider it.
How many other things can you think of that take about an hour from your day that can save a life?

Jeff, still fat

Lije Baley

Thanks for putting our donations in perspective. Really folks, it's easy and relatively comfortable. You even get cookies and drinks afterwards. Something so easy that means so much to someone else. Something that only can be given by each of us. There is no substitute in the lab.

jdon

As a former recipient of 17 units of other peoples kindness, thank you in advance for donating.

qcpmsame 

Glad your nephew is going to have full use of the arm, as you said, that is rare. Thanks to you for your blood donations that are so needed.

Bill

DnvrFox

I was able to donate once, but due to current health history, I can't any more. My thanks to all who do. Is there an upper age limit for donating blood. if I could?

BlazingPedals

Yes, I believe there's an age limit; 65 or 68 or maybe 70? There's also a weight limit (lower.) I gave for years, reaching the 6-gallon level; but eventually as I got 'more mature,' I took too long to recover and I had to give it up.

To hear them talk, they are always on the verge of a 'critical shortage' of blood, especially 'O' which is universal donor. It's too bad more people don't donate (without re-infusing it during multi-stage events.)

DnvrFox

Here is one response:

"A person may donate up to age 75. At age 76 the donor must provide a letter yearly from his/her private physician indicating that he/she is in good health and capable of donating a pint of blood."

And another

"You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply, or 16 years old with parental/guardian consent, if allowed by state law. Learn more about the reasons for a lower age limit. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities."

Condorita

The last time I donated blood (back in September, when my fellow Washington Capitals fans were doing the same thing on the other coast), for the first time in over 15 years, I prepped by taking a couple of iron tablets each week for about a month beforehand, had a good breakfast before my appointment, and drank plenty of fluids all the rest of the day. The next day, I did a 30-mile bike ride and felt wonderful.

Esteban58

I'm at 80+ donations (mostly platelettes and plasma) - I got started when my daughter had a (mild, easily corrected) heart condition that required surgery at 2 weeks of age... I've been on hiatus from donating while I got my own health back in order but this is a reminder that I need to get my rear back in there.

Most healthy people can donate 4 times yearly without any worries, and if everyone who could do so did, we'd have no shortage issues.
I know that for me, I take a day to recover (they typically take 2 units of platelettes and 2 units of plasma from me), but its really worth it...

Jeff, thanks for posting this, its great to hear of such a happy ending.

Cougrrcj

A-pos here. I had to stop donating for a number of years due to my own health/blood pressure problems. Now that it is finally under control, I can start donating again! I was somewhere near the five gallon mark.