14er Climber = Blood Donor?

[globehugger]

Donating is good. You get a cookie and a sticker. It's like being a kid again!!

I need to donate. I've gone a whole year without backpacking in a blacklisted country, so hopefully they'll take my blood. Plus, I'm a universal donor and got 2 transfusions in 2003. I owe.

[floodin1]

I think I've seen the blood donation topic on here before, and I applaud and cannot express enough my thanks to those that make the effort for others you may never meet. After my lung transplant, I had some major complications and went thru 92 units of blood. I finally turned the corner and 7 years later am still kicking. I attended several dinners and thank you events for blood and tissue donors and met many people who regularly donate, some over 50 gallons (not all at once...I actually had someone ask me that). Meeting these different people from all walks of life and understanding that I wouldn't be here without the altruism of strangers is a truly humbling experience. So if my thanks isn't enough, hopefully the t-shirts or coffee mugs will sweeten the deal .

[SharonH]

Wish I could donate; I lived in the United Kingdom during the mad cow scare and am now permanently banned from donating.

[hatidua]

Between malaria, typhoid, and a few other souvenirs from my travels, I seriously doubt anyone would want (or take) any blood I'd pump out. Add to that a severe fear of needles and I'm not likely to be spotted at many blood drives or IV drug use alleys.

[Vinegaroon]

I give regularly... On the mountain and at the blood bank... I give two pints of plasma... Allows me to drink less red wine with the same effect for a couple days... :D

[fleetmack]

I am a 2 gallon donor with Bonfils, and have probably given an additional gallon through other places, but I keep making myself ineligible. Was ineligible in 2002, 2008, and now will be ineligible the next 2 years ... all from being in countries which are malaria-prone. REALLY wish I could give more, it makes me feel extremely guilty for traveling and making myself ineligible as it's such a simple thing to do. I think when I become eligible again, I'm going to switch to donating platelets. My blood tests show I'm A+ (I wish every test I took was a blood test, I'd be a friggin' genius!).... which means that my blood is very common. Platelets take a lot longer, but I've got the time.

I proudly display my "2 gallon donor" pin on my backpack, and, in fact, I have a Bonfils Nalgene on my desk right now and a Bonfils beach towel in my gym bag. GO DONATE!! If for no other reason, you get free stuff ... and DELICIOUS white cheddar cheeze-its

[Iguru]

RA victim, meds for that (methotrexate), prevent me from being a donor.
But a friend has been donating for 35 years, and has 46, yes, 46 GALLON pins from the red cross.
That makes up for my not being able to donate.

[groomden]

i'm a blood donor that HATES needles. been given a year off since i had major abdominal surgery in january = ineligible to donate for a year. so i'm torn between thrilled at not being able to donate yet upset with myself because i'm enjoying the time off so much....

[sunny1]

Am on the low end of the size/weight limit for regular donations.
Donated earlier this year, it knocked me on my can for a good 3-4 weeks!
I'm shy now, but will reconsider coming out of hiding to donate sometime this winter. :D

Strong work, all you donors! You guys rock!

[Jim Davies]

I donated back in the early 80's, but stopped due to privacy concerns; it seems nobody would take my blood without also requiring my Social Security number. Has this changed, or do they still turn away donors who don't want to be victimized by identity thieves?

[sunny1]

I donated back in the early 80's, but stopped due to privacy concerns; it seems nobody would take my blood without also requiring my Social Security number. Has this changed, or do they still turn away donors who don't want to be victimized by identity thieves?

They should be able to use your driver's license as ID rather than your SSN.
Although alot of centers still require your SSN for donation - they use the number to identify you electronically.
They may think you are an ALIEN ( ) if you don't provide a SSN.
Check into it, if you're inclined to donate.

[alpenglow]

My husband and I donate platelets rather than whole blood because Bonfils likes our blood types (less prevalent in the general pop.). This discussion is a timely reminder that we need to go in and spend some time with the vampire.