[MR] Re: blood donation info

[TychoandBert at aol.com]

Some advice from another list.


In a message dated 9/13/01 5:50:30 PM, marisella at juno.com writes:

<< "I'm glad you are posting this, I managed to donate at the Hagerstown
Elks Club on Wednesday, it took 5 hours from the time I walked in til the
time I walked out, they had to turn people away. 

Everyone who was turned away was given a list of more blooddrives to come
up here. I just want to warn you that if you are going to go, and they
list a set amount of time, do not think that you will be able to run in
and run out again. 

Go early, take a book, take a bottle of water and a snack in case you
have a long wait and take a cell phone to let people know where you are
and that you are OK.  

I do urge you to donate, but realise that the Red Cross is getting a
major number of first time donors, they do not understand the questions
being asked and that slows the process down. Also many of the Red Cross
personnel have been transfered to be closer to the disaster areas, so
especially those of us in outlying areas, may not have as many nurses
available to draw the blood.

 If you know that you are a hard stick (deep veins, lots of fat, rolling
veins), ask for their most experienced person, and tell them what
difficulties they may have before you get hurt. They feel really badly
when they hurt you, so understand they would like to know if you have had
problems before. If they do not have a tourniquette large enough for your
large arms, they can use a blood pressure cuff (It is more comfortable as
well). 

You are giving the gift of Life, do not go unless you are in good health,
If you have had certain diseases like Hepetitis, and gotten over them in
the past, you will still not be able to donate, because your blood has
antibodies to those diseases. ...It goes without saying about exposure to
AIDS and IV drugs... or does it? Ok, I said it anyway... If you have been
exposed, don't plan on donating, they will not take it.  But if you can
donate, do and plan it out on your calander for 8weeks later, get in the
habit of donating, because remember, some of the victims will still need
help months down the road.

 
Nancy Eleanor (Lea) Hall
marisella at juno.com
kenalepha at myexcel.com
www.excelir.com/kenalepha
www.mlmreporter.com/hugs2you >>