I too was a longtime Blood and Plasma Donor. First Blood, in Honor of my favorite Author Robert A. Heinlein (read his “I Will Fear No Evil”) and then, years later, a Plasma center opened around the corner from my apartment. “Wow, you mean they’ll PAY you?”
Helped “tide me over” when they started cutting our hours at Work.
We used to call that “Vampire Liberty” in the Navy. We’d get 5 to 8 dollars per pint, depending on blood type, then reap the benefits of drinking while a pint low.
Thanks to all donors. I have a relative with clotting problems and those transfusions have saved her life many times.
BTW, I started donating in HS in 81 and started giving platelets 10 yrs ago. Since Platelets can be donated about every 2 weeks, I’m closing in on 300 units donated.
I stopped giving blood when they couldn’t get their database straight. I’d go bleed; the next night I’d get a call from them saying, “We see you couldn’t make your appointment; would you like to reschedule?” First time it happened, I said, “Excuse me? Would you like to see the hole in my elbow?” Girl got very flustered and apologetic and said she’d call back in two months. Two months later I went and bled again. Next night, got another call, same as before. “OK,” I said, “once is bad enough. But your record-keeping is just terrible. If this happens again, I’m cutting up my donor card and sending it back to you in little pieces.” The very next night I got a call from the main office downtown. I hung up on the caller as soon as she identified herself as being with the ARC. Of course, she called back immediately. I asked one of my roommates to take the call: “Hello…yes, he’s here…no, I don’t think he wants to talk to you…no, I don’t think he can see the color of your skin through the phone, he’s just tired of you folks calling him the day after he donates and saying he missed his appointment…thank you.” And as soon as he got off the phone, I went up to my room, shredded my donor card, and stuck in into an envelope with a scathing letter berating their poor record-keeping and inviting them to contact me when they got their act together. That was 25 or 30 years ago. I’m still waiting. Besides, I’ve been ineligible to donate since I had a carcinoma removed from my arm about 10 or 12 years ago.
LuvThemPluggers almost 10 years ago
Yay for him! I used to donate all the time but they don’t want me anymore. That’s okay, I need it myself.
LeoAutodidact almost 10 years ago
I too was a longtime Blood and Plasma Donor. First Blood, in Honor of my favorite Author Robert A. Heinlein (read his “I Will Fear No Evil”) and then, years later, a Plasma center opened around the corner from my apartment. “Wow, you mean they’ll PAY you?”
Helped “tide me over” when they started cutting our hours at Work.
Celarius Premium Member almost 10 years ago
since 2000 I’ve given 6 gallons and am working on my 7th For my 66th birthday I gave a pint
kcase246 almost 10 years ago
83 donations so far
flyertom almost 10 years ago
We used to call that “Vampire Liberty” in the Navy. We’d get 5 to 8 dollars per pint, depending on blood type, then reap the benefits of drinking while a pint low.
IndyMan almost 10 years ago
I have a daughter that donates platelets but only when the Red Cross calls her.
ladykat almost 10 years ago
Because I have veins that tend to collapse, I can’t donate blood any more.
Sangelia almost 10 years ago
I found out that due to me catching mono like a common cold in 10th grade. That I was now unable to give blood.
TLH1310 Premium Member almost 10 years ago
Thanks to all donors. I have a relative with clotting problems and those transfusions have saved her life many times.
BTW, I started donating in HS in 81 and started giving platelets 10 yrs ago. Since Platelets can be donated about every 2 weeks, I’m closing in on 300 units donated.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member almost 10 years ago
Nobody can even find my veins, they have to take blood out of my hand.
Caldonia almost 10 years ago
Smugness is a renewable resource. Sheesh!
neverenoughgold almost 10 years ago
I also want to thank all who give blood. I tried to give blood quite a few years ago; but, they wouldn’t accept me as a donor. Too many meds, I guess…
pathfinder almost 10 years ago
Donated from 1960 through 2012 — had to give it up because of blood pressure meds 8>{( – 200 pints
K M almost 10 years ago
I stopped giving blood when they couldn’t get their database straight. I’d go bleed; the next night I’d get a call from them saying, “We see you couldn’t make your appointment; would you like to reschedule?” First time it happened, I said, “Excuse me? Would you like to see the hole in my elbow?” Girl got very flustered and apologetic and said she’d call back in two months. Two months later I went and bled again. Next night, got another call, same as before. “OK,” I said, “once is bad enough. But your record-keeping is just terrible. If this happens again, I’m cutting up my donor card and sending it back to you in little pieces.” The very next night I got a call from the main office downtown. I hung up on the caller as soon as she identified herself as being with the ARC. Of course, she called back immediately. I asked one of my roommates to take the call: “Hello…yes, he’s here…no, I don’t think he wants to talk to you…no, I don’t think he can see the color of your skin through the phone, he’s just tired of you folks calling him the day after he donates and saying he missed his appointment…thank you.” And as soon as he got off the phone, I went up to my room, shredded my donor card, and stuck in into an envelope with a scathing letter berating their poor record-keeping and inviting them to contact me when they got their act together. That was 25 or 30 years ago. I’m still waiting. Besides, I’ve been ineligible to donate since I had a carcinoma removed from my arm about 10 or 12 years ago.