I've noticed a trend, a lot people who aren't against giving blood (Needle-phobia, religious views, etc) who just don't think about it or are a tad lazy. I want to say that one of the highlights of my month is going to give blood or plasma. Not because I have a needle fetish or anything, but because I see each donation I give as a life or two saved or improved. There are people out there who are sick or dying who need it way more then I do and it's the one way where I feel like I making a difference to someone's life.

Giving blood is something I'm very passionate about and I think that this is something that everyone should try to do, because chances are, you'll need blood some day.

Here's my plea, if you dont have a problem with giving blood, give it a go. Take half an hour out of 3 months and make a difference.

Now, opinions! You've read mine and I want to know yours. If you don't give blood, why? If you do, why?

Needles... Stay away from me with that pointy thing or I will break your wrist... That's usually how things go when you put me and needle together.

I've got nothing against it. I think its a kind and generours thing to do. Besides I always like a free orange ^^

RetiarySword:
I've got nothing against it. I think its a kind and generours thing to do. Besides I always like a free orange ^^

The milkshakes are the best!

I can't stand doctors surgeries, and have a crippling fear of medical procedures.

Seriously, right now just the thought of a needle is making me cringe in my chair and making me feel a tad nausious. I would if I could though.

If I can and when I can I plan to give as much as possible. It's a worthy cause and people who are just too lazy to sit still for a couple of minutes to save another persons life (possibly) deserves a serious kicking.

I have received substantial amounts of blood, probably more than the average 18 years old has. So I would be glad to give it back, I'd have no problems with that. Ironically, because I have received blood I am not allowed to give :-/

I would give blood, but:

a) I have high blood pressure for unknown cause (I'm going to a hospital every few months, hopefully I'll get rid of that problem).

b) I'm still underaged (17, in Poland you must be 18 for blood).

Seriously, this are the only things that are stopping me. I have so many nose bleeds anyway, I might as well give some of my blood before it happens again.

Besides, my blood is apparently excellent for me to be a donor. I have blood thinkness 16 (that's really big, so I can give a lot of blood without serious side effects) and I am 0+, universal blood type.

cuddly_tomato:
I can't stand doctors surgeries, and have a crippling fear of medical procedures.

Seriously, right now just the thought of a needle is making me cringe in my chair and making me feel a tad nausious. I would if I could though.

Sissy. I'm getting an alergy shot every Tuesday or Wednesdey, one every week.

Needles are horrible, that said its never stopped me getting an injection and i intend to go give some blood either as soon as i get a car or when one rolls by where i live.

Abedeus:
I would give blood, but:

a) I have high blood pressure for unknown cause (I'm going to a hospital every few months, hopefully I'll get rid of that problem).

b) I'm still underaged (17, in Poland you must be 18 for blood).

Seriously, this are the only things that are stopping me. I have so many nose bleeds anyway, I might as well give some of my blood before it happens again.

Besides, my blood is apparently excellent for me to be a donor. I have blood thinkness 16 (that's really big, so I can give a lot of blood without serious side effects) and I am 0+, universal blood type.

O+ is the most common blood type, with about 40%. O- is universal, it's the blood they give to people when they dont have time to find out their blood type, the body is less likely to reject it.

Edit: I dont know why I know that..

I'd actually love to donate blood. I've got plenty of it and I'm not going to miss the amount they take from me. I also take blood tests every 6 months since I was 11, so I have no problem with needles. Sadly though, I take medications that wont let me donate blood. There were plenty of times where a blood donation event was going on at my school and I just couldn't do anything.
It's a bit sad how it seems like all the people who can't donate blood actually want to do it, and those who have no problem doing it are just too lazy.

I tried to donate blood once. But extracting liters of blood leaves me very lightheaded, ill, generally blargh and I almost passed out.

So, no thank you :)

When I tried to donate blood, they only got about half a pint in the required half hour. So it was useless. Curse my wimpy veins. (BTW, I'm A+)

I'm not old enough to give blood yet but I do really look forward to doing it when I am.

Guvnorium:
When I tried to donate blood, they only got about half a pint in the required half hour. So it was useless. Curse my wimpy veins. (BTW, I'm A+)

Hey A+, I'm O-. Pleasure to meet you!

I give Blood every once in awhile.

I'm O-, they say I am very hard to get blood from, and usually they miss my veins like 3 times before they get me, but they tell me to come back because I am O-.

Just thinking about giving blood makes me feel sick.
No.
Edit: Also, fuck you for making me think about giving blood

jdnoth:
Just thinking about giving blood makes me feel sick.
No.
Edit: Also, fuck you for making me think about giving blood

Next time dont click buddy!

Everybody knows they just take the blood and give it to the secret underground vampire network to try and curb the amount of people they take each month for food. Sheesh.

On a serious note, I really wouldn't have a problem with it, and I'm most likely going to go along with my mum the next time she goes to give blood.

I went to give blood once. But I had gotten a tattoo like a week before and that apparently is a no-no for a whole year.

You know, I should probably start donating blood - not out of charity, mind you, no, because frankly I couldn't care less about who's getting my blood, but rather for the money. Depending on how much I get for a donation, that could be a new computer game each month!

I have a solid alcoholic concentration in my blood 24-7 so I can't give blood any more.

I once lost 6 units of blood (total not all at once!) and managed to take 8 back in, so I've made sure to give back twice what I figure I owed (that would be 16 units people).

For those at a school or place of employment, you can usually convince them to send you along on a schedule (which means you get out of school/work for a while) - so long as they get some sort of "My $Place donates blood".

I pass a donation centre on my way to uni, but every person I know who has given blood has had some kind of minor problem with it. Can't find/missing a vein, having to actually hold a syringe with their blood in it etc..

I want to do it, but I don't need all that going on. I would like to be conscious for my labs

I would donate blood, except that I have an irrational fear of needles. Well done to those who do give blood though, keep up the good work :).

Beacon:
I went to give blood once. But I had gotten a tattoo like a week before and that apparently is a no-no for a whole year.

Is it not a voluntary thing? :S

As soon as I am old enough I will start donating blood, they actually have a day at my school where the students above 16 can give blood in the morning and then go home.

another trypanophobe here. i actually don't mind vaccination shots (which are typically in the shoulder - painful, but extremely quick; just have to hype myself with science first), but you better keep those gorram needles away from my veins!

giving blood is a good thing to do (but needles! we hates them!), but i think it's pushed too hard (at least here on American college campuses - may be different elsewhere). i really don't need people begging me to let them stick me on my way to class >_>

but you "normal" folks can keep on giving blood if you want; no real moral objections here, just needle squick.

Im turned away if i try to give blood due to health and safety reasons. I have a record of fainting when i see (alot) of blood, and the thought of having some removed from me does cause me to go light headed.

Its a shame as iv always wanted to do it.

Cahlee:
I want to say that one of the highlights of my month is going to give blood or plasma.

Being 15, I'm not legally aloud to give blood, and if I am I can't anyway because I'm constantly ill, but I know roughly how they do it. But how do you give plasma...