Why not? It does not really hurt, and it's good for you.

You get to leave knowing you helped a total stranger with something that can't be synthesized. If you ever have a family member or loved one that would have died without a source of blood you will see how vital it is.

I had the blood institue call my one Saturday and thay admitted they were bending the rules. They were trying to save the life of a little boy and my apheresis donation was going to be needed since I was a perfect match. I already had plans for the day but how could I say no?

I have no idea if the kid survived but at least I helped as no one else could.

I know it doesn't hurt.... Its the blood itself, not the pain. I get very squeemish. Its gotten worse in the last few years too. Which will be interesting Saturday as I have to sit through another RedCross first aid cert....

Just turn your head when they stick ya. You will never see any real blood, just a warm reddish brown tube of plastic that goes over the edge of the chair.

You get a free cookie and a t-shirt. :) I usually trun down the t-shirt.

have done hundreds of sticks /IV's..
often under crazy conditions..
I'm good at it..
I hate needles when I'm on the other end..
so I prefer a pro..

Rika

Experienced each and everytime --assuming we are sticking to medical procedures

flo

is worthless without pictures...

I've given blood for 20 years, but as I've aged (51 now), my iron count/content/? has been low, to the point I wasn't able to give. In addition, they had a hard time finding a vein. Maybe more fluids and a multi-vitamin are needed?

Always better not to be on the receiving end....but if you are, have the pro do it! Until a blood substitute is widely used, it really is the noble thing to donate blood. Consider, it may your family member in need...somehow you'll get over being squeemish.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290209290.jpg


I'm pretty sure she could poke me as many times as it takes!

Didn't you mean that the other way around?

Heheheh. Love needles. Used to be fearless. Was recovering from a bug and had been up all night, my first year or two of school. My dad picked me up to take me downtown to a doc for some testing (unrelated to my bug). Hadn't eaten anything all day. You see where this is going.

First up, ok, let's get some blood. Sure, go ahead, take all you want. In goes the needle. That's the last thing I remember.

Next memory is being flat on my back. Doctor, phlebotomist, nurse, and dad (who had been out in the waiting room), all standing over me. All white as sheets. As I take it all in, I notice the entire room is hosed down in blood. All over the walls, everywhere. Phlebotomist and nurse are covered in it. Doc and dad are clean. I ask what happened. They don't say anything. I feel more lightheaded than usual. No idea to this day what happened.

These days I prefer large marge.