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OT...Give Blood this Holiday Season

Photo Egg
Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
in EggHead Forum
It's an easy thing to do for most people and takes very little time.
Donating Blood around the Holidays will help so many people.
We all have family members and friends who have cancer or have been treated for cancer. And unfortunately many have lost people close to us.
Once you have been diagnosed with cancer one of the privileges you loose is donating blood.
Think about someone you care about or have lost and make that donation for them.
Feel free to brag about it. Call that person if you can and tell them...Hey, I'm donating blood today FOR YOU, because I know you can't. I have a time slot tomorrow.
Be safe and Happy Holidays!
Thank you,
Darian

Galveston Texas
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Comments

  • canoebldr
    canoebldr Posts: 16
    Great post, there is ALWAYS a need for blood. I have donated Platelets for many years which takes about 2 hours. Unfortunately I have just been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, so I'm unable to donate anymore until I can get this taken care of. Take time to donate and help someone who needs it.
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  • JohnnyTarheel
    JohnnyTarheel Posts: 6,629
    edited December 2018
    Always a need for blood  and life.... donate.. 
    Charlotte, NC - Large BGE 2014, Maverick ET 733, Thermopen, Nest, Platesetter, Woo2 and Extender w/Grid, Kick Ash Basket, Pizza Stone, SS Smokeware Cap, Blackstone 36"
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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,610
    canoebldr said:
    Great post, there is ALWAYS a need for blood. I have donated Platelets for many years which takes about 2 hours. Unfortunately I have just been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, so I'm unable to donate anymore until I can get this taken care of. Take time to donate and help someone who needs it.
    Sorry to hear, friend. Keeping you in my thoughts. 
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  • TN_Egger
    TN_Egger Posts: 1,120
    Had the same thought - went to donate today and they wouldn't take me.  I had malaria about 20 years ago.  I thought there was a statue of limitations on that...
    Signal Mountain, TN
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  • Gulfcoastguy
    Gulfcoastguy Posts: 7,339
    I have tried before. Due to prescription drugs that I take they won’t take my blood.
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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 17,377
    Good post, @Photo Egg
    I've had two DVT blood clots in my legs, and two PE clots in my lungs, so I'm on Xarelta/Xaralto/howeveryouspellit for life now, and can't donate anymore either.  
    What's frustrating, personally for me, is that my Red Cross card showed 49 donations, I was cut off before I hit my SemiCentennial donation; argh!  :anguished:

    "Dumplings are just noodles that have already eaten"   - Jon Kung

    Ogden, UT, USA


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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    My time slot for tomorrow got bumped to the Monday after Christmas. Patient care comes first.
    Sorry to read the posts above about current medical issues with our fellow Eggheads.
    @Botch , I know it wouldn't be the same, but I would be happy donate at a Red Cross in your name to fill your 50th spot. That's a great accomplishment Buddy.

    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 17,377
    Photo Egg said:
    @Botch , I know it wouldn't be the same, but I would be happy donate at a Red Cross in your name to fill your 50th spot. That's a great accomplishment Buddy.

    Very kind of you Sir, but its just a number.  Donate, let me know, and we can BOTH have a piece of pecan pie, just because!   :)

    "Dumplings are just noodles that have already eaten"   - Jon Kung

    Ogden, UT, USA


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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    You're a good egg, Darian. Thanks for doing what you do. 

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    Botch said:
    Photo Egg said:
    @Botch , I know it wouldn't be the same, but I would be happy donate at a Red Cross in your name to fill your 50th spot. That's a great accomplishment Buddy.

    Very kind of you Sir, but its just a number.  Donate, let me know, and we can BOTH have a piece of pecan pie, just because!   :)
    That's more than just a number. That's incredible dedication Botch.
    Embarrasing to say, but I have a bit of a needle phobia. In my job I see all kinds of medical surgery and handle all kinds of specimens. It's just needles that bother me. Donating blood has helped me with this issue. Call it a win-win.


    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • KennyCJR
    KennyCJR Posts: 262
    I donated “double red cells” a few weeks ago. You can only do double red every 4 months, but I’m told every time that it’s really needed and helps a lot.  

    We have a donation bus that comes to our office building once a month.  If you live around the Texas gulf coast, check http://www.giveblood.org/  for their scheduled mobile donation locations.  
    Llano, TX   -  Med and XL BGE’s
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    caliking said:
    You're a good egg, Darian. Thanks for doing what you do. 
    My brother Mark had surger 2 weeks ago to remove cancer. You met him at Salado Eggfest a few years ago. He just turned 50. 
    He was just given the all clear a few days ago from all the pathology. Last tube removed yesterday. It's been a happy few days.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 17,377
    Photo Egg said:
    Embarrasing to say, but I have a bit of a needle phobia. In my job I see all kinds of medical surgery and handle all kinds of specimens. It's just needles that bother me. 
    This made me chuckle.  My last GF had been an Emergency Room RN for several years, yet when she pulled a piece of cheese out of my frig, and saw a bit of mold on it, she threw up!!  
    Funny how different things can make us lose it!  
     
    That's more than just a number. That's incredible dedication Botch.
    Not really.  Because I work for the fed guv'mint, I get 4 hours' "convalescent leave" every time I donate, and I gave blood at Friday noon every two months or so.  
    As did most folk at Hill AFB...  =)

    "Dumplings are just noodles that have already eaten"   - Jon Kung

    Ogden, UT, USA


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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,806
    edited December 2018
    Last 8 week donation was Dec 1st so no go here.  My routine cycle of every 8 weeks (with the occasional hic-cup) infrequently lands in the mid-late Dec time-frame.  Having gone down that road a few times, I will avoid it at all costs as it is a nightmare.  Glad that the one-offs show up but what a circus. 
    That said, if this inspires one more donation then worth it. 
    Regarding the cancer deal, I have had a few conversations with the regional managers going in with "If I donated yesterday and found out I had cancer today...?"  Following up with, "Given I have it and have not had any treatment for it...?"  Needless to say, they are overly cautious but with all their testing you would think an out-lier would be flagged.   IDK-
    Edit:  Some cancers are best left untreated... so where does that fit?  IDK-
    Should probably post on the "What do I want to know" thread...
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    I would, but my blood be like:

    https://youtu.be/i0IAwe_mxSY
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    I can't. I tried when I was in high school. Somehow my blood got flagged. I got a letter telling me to call the doctor to find out why, it mentioned HIV. I was worried, and that simply could not have happened. I called, and they told me the first screening got flagged for something, could have been common cold. Second screening was clean. But since first screening flagged something, I was banned for life to donate.
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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  • st¡ke
    st¡ke Posts: 276
    Got my five gallon pin, and then was unable to donate ALL FRIGGING YEAR

    O-neg here. They call constantly and I feel like a schmuck when I can't 

    don't be a pvssy. Just do it. 

    Honestly, worst part is the finger prick. The needle in the arm is painless. 

    A pro tip: ask them to do the finger prick in the SIDE of your fingertip

    fewer nerve endings than the pad of your finger 

    after that it is even less painful

    give double reds too. After a pint of whole blood you have to sit around drinking apple juice and eating cookies. 

    With double reds, they take twice the amount (two pints), but centrifuge the reds out and return the plasma. 

    Drive straight home. Plus, it helps TWO people

    I don't give as often as I wish. And I was still able to do five gallons

    you have no excuse
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  • KennyCJR
    KennyCJR Posts: 262
    Very nice, @stike
    Llano, TX   -  Med and XL BGE’s
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    st¡ke said:
    Got my five gallon pin, and then was unable to donate ALL FRIGGING YEAR

    O-neg here. They call constantly and I feel like a schmuck when I can't 

    don't be a pvssy. Just do it. 

    Honestly, worst part is the finger prick. The needle in the arm is painless. 

    A pro tip: ask them to do the finger prick in the SIDE of your fingertip

    fewer nerve endings than the pad of your finger 

    after that it is even less painful

    give double reds too. After a pint of whole blood you have to sit around drinking apple juice and eating cookies. 

    With double reds, they take twice the amount (two pints), but centrifuge the reds out and return the plasma. 

    Drive straight home. Plus, it helps TWO people

    I don't give as often as I wish. And I was still able to do five gallons

    you have no excuse
    You nailed it...
    Agree, hate the finger prick the most.
    Appreciate side finger tip.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • Kayak
    Kayak Posts: 700
    I work just blocks from a donor center, so I can do it every eight weeks without much effort. Just passed the 17 gallon mark in October. The funny part is, my wife & I both donate, I'm O-, she's not, so I get all the goodies in the mail. Tickets, dinner invites, junk. Got a heavy glass paperweight with a blood-drop design inside it once?? If I get one more t-shirt though, I'm quitting and opening up a stall at the market.

    Bob

    New Cumberland, PA
    XL with the usual accessories

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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,806
    DMW said:
    I can't. I tried when I was in high school. Somehow my blood got flagged. I got a letter telling me to call the doctor to find out why, it mentioned HIV. I was worried, and that simply could not have happened. I called, and they told me the first screening got flagged for something, could have been common cold. Second screening was clean. But since first screening flagged something, I was banned for life to donate.
    I would give it another go or at least give them a call.  Surely if they can ban you they can tell you why beyond a half-baked answer. 
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,806
    Pro-tip if you are a regular whole blood donor.  A couple of years ago ARC raised the minimum HCT level for males to 13.0 from 12.5.  I would occasionally be challenged to clear the old bar (even with taking a routine daily vitamin), never mind the new standard.  The solution-take Flintstones Vitamins (chewable with iron) daily for the week or so prior and there you are.  FWIW-
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
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  • thetrim
    thetrim Posts: 11,387
    My midi-chlorian levels are thru the roof, so I can't do it either.

    Kudos to all of you who can and do!

    =======================================
    XL 6/06, Mini 6/12, L 10/12, Mini #2 12/14 MiniMax 3/16 Large #2 11/20 Legacy from my FIL - RIP PitBoss Navigator 850G 11/25
    Tampa Bay, FL
    EIB 6 Oct 95
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    lousubcap said:
    Pro-tip if you are a regular whole blood donor.  A couple of years ago ARC raised the minimum HCT level for males to 13.0 from 12.5.  I would occasionally be challenged to clear the old bar (even with taking a routine daily vitamin), never mind the new standard.  The solution-take Flintstones Vitamins (chewable with iron) daily for the week or so prior and there you are.  FWIW-
    Another great tip. I have been borderline a few times. Got to love the Flintstones!
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • canoebldr
    canoebldr Posts: 16
    Kayak said:
    I work just blocks from a donor center, so I can do it every eight weeks without much effort. Just passed the 17 gallon mark in October. The funny part is, my wife & I both donate, I'm O-, she's not, so I get all the goodies in the mail. Tickets, dinner invites, junk. Got a heavy glass paperweight with a blood-drop design inside it once?? If I get one more t-shirt though, I'm quitting and opening up a stall at the market.
    I hear ya, I have so many t shirts I could fill a dresser drawer,  plus blankets, polo shirts, lawn chair, binoculars, thermos etc. Crazy
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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    lousubcap said:
    Pro-tip if you are a regular whole blood donor.  A couple of years ago ARC raised the minimum HCT level for males to 13.0 from 12.5.  I would occasionally be challenged to clear the old bar (even with taking a routine daily vitamin), never mind the new standard.  The solution-take Flintstones Vitamins (chewable with iron) daily for the week or so prior and there you are.  FWIW-
    A minor quibble, so please don’t mind, but I think you meant hgb (hemoglobin) instead of hct (hematocrit).  Hct 13 means you should be getting blood, rather than giving it :)

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    Photo Egg said:
    caliking said:
    You're a good egg, Darian. Thanks for doing what you do. 
    My brother Mark had surger 2 weeks ago to remove cancer. You met him at Salado Eggfest a few years ago. He just turned 50. 
    He was just given the all clear a few days ago from all the pathology. Last tube removed yesterday. It's been a happy few days.
    That ,by itself, is reason to celebrate!

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    caliking said:
    Photo Egg said:
    caliking said:
    You're a good egg, Darian. Thanks for doing what you do. 
    My brother Mark had surger 2 weeks ago to remove cancer. You met him at Salado Eggfest a few years ago. He just turned 50. 
    He was just given the all clear a few days ago from all the pathology. Last tube removed yesterday. It's been a happy few days.
    That ,by itself, is reason to celebrate!
    Yes it is, thank you!
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    Trying the platelets thing for first time

    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,936
    I’m O- and used to donate fairly frequently, but started traveling to India for work about five years ago and that usually gets me ruled out as I don’t often go more than 12 months between visits.  I think it’s the Malaria risk that does it.  It’s a shame.
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
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