The first time i gave blood right after i turned 18.  Sadly i am one of those people with a low resting BP.  Right after giving blood I was very woozy.  Lots of commotion and fussing and extra juice for me.

I have since learned to eat a good breakfast, get up slowly, and rest my required time rather than rushing out.

And you??

I have 67 donations to my name.  I am hoping to be able to give my 75th donation the same day my Dad makes his 150th.

I couldn't wait to turn 17 and give.

I think my next donation date is in July.

I have never had a bad experience giving (other than the one time the poor nurse squirted blood all over my white shorts :D ).  I do know, I need to drink lots of water that day and stay away from too much tea.  My kids like to go with me and they watch what's going on.  They too will be donors when the time comes.

 Hi Lastpointe,

I have been donating since I turned 17 regularly.  The only time I have had difficulty was when I lived in St. Anthony and there was no blood collection in the area.  Over the span of five years I missed out on the opportunity to make 30 donations.

As it stands I'm just a bit behind boneswife at 52 donations.

My average donation time (needle in to needle out) takes about 8 minutes.  Apart from a pinch there are no problems.

Grace and peace to you.

John

Much as I'd love too they won't take my blood anymore.

I'm a melanoma-skin cancer-survivor and while I have no effects other than scars, my blood is no longer acceptable for donations.

I think I donated 15 times or so before this! I was quite down the day I went to donate and was rejected as i'm far from fragile and healthy as a horse!

I did my bi-monthly donation today. I'm at 67 donations. And the tea is always superb.

Thanks to any and all of you who are able to respond.  I'll let Seelergirl know about the blood drive. 

And to those who would like to be who cannot, I understand.  I gave blood three or four times in my late teens/early twenties.  Then I had surgery, low hemoglobin, got pregnant, developed crohns, and was refused as a doner several times.  But I was glad that I had given when I could when I needed blood myself.   I think I've received more than I gave over a lifetime - but Mr. Seeler, Seelerboy, and Seelergirl have all been donors, and this is the first any of them has required any. 

It's easy to do and yet it makes a big difference to the person who needs it. 

Great idea lastpointe!  I hope you send your "donated in honour of .." idea to the Blood Services folks ... they do call it the "gift" of life.

I've given a couple of times - the donor clinic used to come to the hospital, so that made it very convenient, but then they stopped due to a space issue - but I think they're back now quarterly.   Unfortunately I'm a 'slow bleeder' it seems - no match for RevJohn's 8 minutes!! 

I rec'd several units of blood after an emergency C-section, and my mother had multiple units during her cancer treatment, so I'm definitely due for getting back to donating more regularly.  I will do it. 

 Good idea Lastpointe!  But I can't donate now.

I did it once and it took me 6 months to recover.  At the time I was borderline for the weight cutoff and the iron cutoff (my blood didn't sink for the 1st test) and I suspect that I was also B12 deficient (that wasn't tested).  I did fine the day of, I made sure I was eating and drinking enough in advance and that day.  It seemed to take me forever to get over the anemia that resulted though.

I might donate in the future, if I'm allowed to.  I think it will be at least a year until I'm healthy enough to do so though, and without a diagnosis as to what happened to me I'm not sure if they would let me, even if I'm healthy.

Great idea.

I would give if I could but I can't. They won't take my blood because I'm on medication.

I'm rejected cause of meds but I'll encourage friends and family to go..

8 minutes? I'm normally no more than 5. In and out yesterday in 45 minutes. Including tea.

Hey Seelre,

Gave Blood this week in honour of you.

thinking of you and hoping things are smoothing out

Wish I could but I was permanently deferred when I was 22 for tripping a Hep B test - which I never had!  I'll encourage others to donate...cms

I am inspired - Wondercafe is an incredible source of strength. I have had a lifelong phobia of needles - so imagine when I was diagnosed with a hormonal disorder requiring biannual blood tests? Between those and now this story, I've been thinking, if my disorder and meds allow me to donate, why not? I will definitely look into this sometime in the next few days. Thank you lastpointe for the last kick in the butt I needed to resolve to do this!

They don't want my lovely B positive anymore or I'd love to support seelergirl in this way. 

I can`t give because of medication but was very thankful that  someone gave the gift of life when I required a blood transfusion following surgery.

I see so many of you who desperately wish to give or have given and now are not permitted to... and it makes me think that - because I am able - I should be giving.  Not only for seelergirl (which is a great reason on its own) but for each one of you who wishes you could help.

One pint for pommum,

one pint for abpenny,

one pint for cjms,

one pint for gaiagrrl,

one pint for chemgal,

one pint for Tabitha...

am I empty yet?

 Thanks Hilary! 

Please add me to your list Hilary ... unfortunately I can't donate because of CFS.

you want me to donate ANOTHER pint?  how much blood do you think a girl's got?!

just kidding - of course I'll donate on your behalf, myst!

I am going tonight.  I will see if they will take an extra one for a friend :D

Hilary - I think you have to limit yourself to just one pint at a time with a waiting period in between.  But Seelergirl and I appreciate being at the top of your list. 

To all those who donate - thank you.  Your blood won't go directly to Seelergirl, but the goodwill in your hearts certainly will, as you help to replenish the blood bank in case she needs more - and for those others who never know when they or a loved one will need blood.

For those who can't give - thanks to you too for your best wishes.  I understand.  By no means try to give if it will endanger your own health, or if for some reason your blood would be rejected.

I have a friend whose blood tends to build up too much iron.  Every few months he has to go into the clinic to be bled.  You would think he would make the perfect blood donor, with iron rich blood that he is giving anyway.  But his blood cannot be used for transfusion.  Either the extra iron, or the underlying condition that causes it, disqualifies him as a donor.

Thank you Hilary!

**juice and cookies to Hilary**

Hilary thanks - but you should take an iron pill with your milk and cookies!

What about me, Hilary? You didn't give any yet for me.

TWO pints for jae!