Gave platelets today for the first time.

[RSKY]

Thank you sir. It is a truly honorable and selfless thing to do. There's a high probability that it will save someone's life. That, IMHO, is the definition of a heroic act.

Also, I can tell you from first hand experience that the medical community is very careful that that valuable gift is not wasted or used ineffecently.

Thank you.

It is not a heroic act to sit on a couch and watch a movie while trying not to go to sleep. I put this on here to try to get more people to do the donation. I have given maybe two gallons of blood at the most. A disabled neighbor across the street from me has given more than fourteen gallons. THAT is a lot.

RSKY

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

It is not a heroic act to sit on a couch and watch a movie while trying not to go to sleep.

RSKY

We'll have to agree to disagree I guess... :laughing:

 

[QRTRHRS]

I donated whole blood this past Thursday for about the third or fourth time the blood bank has been in my area and my 56 days were up again. Previously for the last couple of years my iron has been hit or miss. After trying several ideas I got onto one that is working. About a week before donating I start taking iron pills with a glass or two of orange juice daily right to the day of donation. My iron has been coming up at around 14.3-14.5.

However, that regiment makes me run to the bathroom to urinate so I could never sit for two hours.

 

[Jim Shooz]

Way back (about 40 years) I was called regularly and gave just over 6 US gallons until it was found that I had a predisposition to diabetes. As I recall it the needles were the size of drainpipes.

 

[RSKY]

If you have low iron try getting a bottle of sweet red wine and drinking about 6-8 ounces before bed every night. Doing that will increase your iron, lower your blood pressure, and make you sleep better. I did it for years then got to the point that I would either forget to buy some when I ran out or just forget to drink it. But it sure is better than taking iron pills. Been there, done that.

RSKY

 

[3Ts]

I need some education on blood donations. When I've given blood before, they stuck me with a needle and drained it into a plastic bag. Then a bandaid, some cookies and some OJ and back home, probably half hour at most. I was under the impression that that blood would then be separated into it's components and distributed as needed. The platelet donation sounds like they separate it while they are drawing it and put part of it back into you. Why not take the whole sample? What is the benefit here?

 

[ruffdog]

A double red also uses the machine that separates the red blood cells and returns other liquid back to your body through 1 needle. A person also may get cold from the cold saline fluid going into your body. The first time I was very cold but now I seldom get cold. A DR uses a smaller needle than the one used for whole blood too. The higher your iron level, the quicker the DR goes...I have good iron so they like using me. The last time I went in, one machine was not working so I just did a whole blood instead.

 

[bigtiller]

I need some education on blood donations. When I've given blood before, they stuck me with a needle and drained it into a plastic bag. Then a bandaid, some cookies and some OJ and back home, probably half hour at most. I was under the impression that that blood would then be separated into it's components and distributed as needed. The platelet donation sounds like they separate it while they are drawing it and put part of it back into you. Why not take the whole sample? What is the benefit here?

This explain the 4 types of donations pretty well.


Types of Donations - LifeServe Blood Center

 

[Streetcar]

I need some education on blood donations. When I've given blood before, they stuck me with a needle and drained it into a plastic bag. Then a bandaid, some cookies and some OJ and back home, probably half hour at most. I was under the impression that that blood would then be separated into it's components and distributed as needed. The platelet donation sounds like they separate it while they are drawing it and put part of it back into you. Why not take the whole sample? What is the benefit here?

Blood bank here has big push for platelet donors. They always ask regular donors if they want to try platelets.

 

[Guidshir]

once you give, the red cross will call you every 3 days. I've told them that they are in fact running off people who are willing by calling too often but they don't seem to care. The donation time is more than two hours which not many working folks can afford to do every week. I usually end up donating when I have time off and am still in town.