One Blood, Life South, or Red Cross Donor Experiences.

[Taltarzac725]

The Moderator asked me to consolidate my various blood and/or platelet experiences rather than doing this each time I donate. We can start this thread where we talk about these details and also try to get more people to donate blood, red blood cells, plasma or platelets by setting examples.

[Taltarzac725]

5 Impressive Benefits of Blood Donation | Organic Facts (https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/blood-donation.html)

I found this very educational about how it helps us as far as our health is concerned for donating blood.

Health benefits of donating blood include good health, reduced risk of cancer and hemochromatosis. It helps in reducing risk of damage to liver and pancreas. Donating blood may help in improving cardiovascular health and reducing obesity.

Everyday blood transfusions take place that save lives of many people all over the world. About 5 million Americans need blood transfusion. Donating blood is good for health of donors as well as those who need it. It is important that blood donation takes place in a hospital or a clinic or a blood bank, in the presence of medical experts. Donors should ensure that they are in good health to avoid any health issues post transfusion to those who use it.

[Taltarzac725]

One day you just might need blood and there wouldn't be any.

At the One Blood Center there is a statistic that reads, 1 percent of the population is eligible to give blood and 1 percent of those eligible actually donate.

Just look at the wait list for human organs. There shouldn't even be one.

The Moderator wants me to start using a single thread for our discussions about our experiences donating blood.

He/she said there have been complaints about too many posts about individual blood donations.

I think donating blood, platelets, red blood cells, or plasma is one of the most selfless acts people can do even if there are gifts and the like involved.

[Polar Bear]

An overabundance of posts on this topic causes a negative reaction from many people. Instead of making them think about donating, it turns them off to the topic. Yes...I'm one of those. And yes, I do donate.

Thank you, moderator.

[Taltarzac725]

They are doing a platelet rewards drive again from July through the end of September 2017. Donate platelets twice each month and earn a $60 gift card. Save Lives With Your Platelet Passport This Summer (https://www.oneblood.org/promotions-rewards/save-lives-with-your-platelet-passport-this-summer.stml)

This is the third one of these they have done this year.

[Taltarzac725]

I noticed that many days this Summer when I am making my platelet appointments One Blood has $10 gift cards as rewards for blood, platelet, whole blood, and plasma givers an the Blood Centers. OneBlood - Home (https://www.oneblood.org/)

[redwitch]

Wish they could figure out how to get my blood. Never had a problem in California but they won't even try here (veins too small). Shame since I have AB-.

[Taltarzac725]

Wish they could figure out how to get my blood. Never had a problem in California but they won't even try here (veins too small). Shame since I have AB-.

That is a shame. I have AB- negative too so that they want me to do platelets as much as possible. My veins are pretty good sized but scarred from the 100 or so blood, platelet, plasma, or red blood cell donations I have made since 1985. So, once in a while the stick-ins do not go that well. Some of the phlebotomists are quite more skilled with putting the needle in than others.

[Taltarzac725]

Got to see most of Forrest Gump at One Blood while doing platelets today. 16.5 iron level which is not good. Very busy at the One Blood place today with a steady flow of whole blood donors. Did not get any invitations to meet female's younger friends like one of the recent previous visits.

I am on my way to getting the six platelet donations through the end of September to get $60. Only one donation so far though as I had to cancel one two weeks ago due to not feeling that well.

Hopefully, the Villages and Dell Webb communities will keep the One Blood Center as well as the blood mobiles busy.

[skip0358]

Parrot Head Club blood drive COMING up on 9/11 again at Station 44 on Morse Blvd movie ticket,Cody's discount coupons,Johnny Rockets and Americano's Coupon and a pint of beer for a pint of blood coupon. Just informed that Walgreens will be there again this year with Flu & Pneumonia shots. 9am to 4pm. Walk ins welcome. Please help us and roll up your sleeves. Thanks in advance I know several who will be there!!

DUE TO HURICANE IRMA the 9/11 BLOOD DRIVE is moved to 9/18 @ FIRE STATIO #44. Your Blood is desperately needed as Texas storm took a great deal. Hopefully we'll be luckier. All DONORS will get Movie Tickets, discount s at Cody'y, Johnie Rockets, Amerikanos and 1 free pint of Draft at Gators Dockside in Brownwood. Also Walgreens will be on hand for Fly & Phumonia Shots. So please stop by, Walk Ins are always welcome.

[Nucky]

I'm want to start donating again. I forgot my blood type and answered Ragu. I guess they didn't like the answer. I'm gonna try again.

[Taltarzac725]

I'm want to start donating again. I forgot my blood type and answered Ragu. I guess they didn't like the answer. I'm gonna try again.

Quite funny Nucky! :BigApplause: You could have said lobster.

[Taltarzac725]

Parrothead Club blood drive COMING up on 9/11 again at Station 44 on Morse Blvd. /11 shirt,movie ticket,Cindy's discount coupons,Johnny Rockets and Americanos Coupon and a pint of beer for a pint of blood coupon. . 9am to 4pm. Walk ins welcome. Please help us and roll up your sleeves. Thanks in advance I know several who will be there!!

Hope you have a lot of donors on 9/11.

For those doing platelets there is a really cool Tervis Tumbler being offered as a gift. Also goes to whole blood donors at the One Blood Centers.

[Taltarzac725]

Hope you have a lot of donors on 9/11.

For those doing platelets there is a really cool Tervis Tumbler being offered as a gift. Also goes to whole blood donors at the One Blood Centers.

There is a short announcement in 7/30/2017's Villages Daily Sun that blood donors from Tuesday through August 31, 2017 will get a Tervis Tumbler for donating blood at any One Blood Donor Center. This paragraph in the paper was written by Lurvin Fernandez.

Check out OneBlood - Home (https://www.oneblood.org/). They have $10 gift certificates as well on certain days.

[Taltarzac725]

There is a short announcement in 7/30/2017's Villages Daily Sun that blood donors from Tuesday through August 31, 2017 will get a Tervis Tumbler for donating blood at any One Blood Donor Center. This paragraph in the paper was written by Lurvin Fernandez.

Check out OneBlood - Home (https://www.oneblood.org/). They have $10 gift certificates as well on certain days.

Got another Tervis Tumbler on Monday and have one more donation in August 2017.

It was quite busy on Monday and I had to wait for a while as I chatted with a man whose wife was donating platelets that afternoon.

I hope people keep donating like this!!!

[Taltarzac725]

Yesterday's platelet donation had to be cut short at about 90 minutes by me as I was getting too cold and given my benign enlarged prostate was not a good day to try to stay immobile for that long. They did shut it down as soon as I said I was having a problem getting too cold and my inners feeling like I was about to spring a leak.

Reached 18.125 gallons and should, with luck, get to 20 by the end of the year 2017.

Hard to judge how much to drink before donating platelets because of the often long times spent in the chair.

Quite busy yesterday because of all the donors. And the cookies were all gone. Also think they had a cookie monster attack. That is to say-- someone got quite greedy about the cookies.

And the phlebotomist I had forgot to give me the Netflix controller so I had to settle for 90 minutes of USA's NCIS shows. Which is OK as that is one of my favorite programs.

Taking a few weeks off from donating while I recover and plan for the next four months of platelet donation. I sure miss the short and sweet blood donations but my blood type AB- is best for platelet donation.

I also have to factor my BPH into the whole process. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)-Treatment Overview (http://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/tc/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph-treatment-overview#1)

[leftyf]

I was there yesterday and had a very bad day. There was a person from Ocala in the front office and she was very dis-organized. She even forgot me in the questions room. It took me 45 minutes to get into the donation room and it was a very slow day. Then about 5 minutes before the end of my donation I felt a pain in the right arm and asked Charli to check it. It was just starting to swell and turn red. Charli and Juanita immediately unhooked me. I did get in my donation, but I cannot donate again for 8 weeks, Mid October.

[Taltarzac725]

I was there yesterday and had a very bad day. There was a person from Ocala in the front office and she was very dis-organized. She even forgot me in the questions room. It took me 45 minutes to get into the donation room and it was a very slow day. Then about 5 minutes before the end of my donation I felt a pain in the right arm and asked Charli to check it. It was just starting to swell and turn red. Charli and Juanita immediately unhooked me. I did get in my donation, but I cannot donate again for 8 weeks, Mid October.

I hate it when that happens. Both the unorganized front desk person and the slip of the needle or whatever causes that.

About last year this time I believe I had an incident like that as well and could not donate for two months. Could have been year before that though.

I am not donating again until September and will try to get just two more donations in which will stop me at 5 donations in the three month period. So, I will not get the $60 card but can donate 5 times in the next three month period from Oct-December.

[Taltarzac725]

Parrot Head Club blood drive COMING up on 9/11 again at Station 44 on Morse Blvd movie ticket,Cody's discount coupons,Johnny Rockets and Americano's Coupon and a pint of beer for a pint of blood coupon. Just informed that Walgreens will be there again this year with Flu & Pneumonia shots. 9am to 4pm. Walk ins welcome. Please help us and roll up your sleeves. Thanks in advance I know several who will be there!!

I cannot make it but hope many others will show up. I did donate blood at the two previous Parrot Head Club drives this year. :wave:

[Taltarzac725]

I was there yesterday and had a very bad day. There was a person from Ocala in the front office and she was very dis-organized. She even forgot me in the questions room. It took me 45 minutes to get into the donation room and it was a very slow day. Then about 5 minutes before the end of my donation I felt a pain in the right arm and asked Charli to check it. It was just starting to swell and turn red. Charli and Juanita immediately unhooked me. I did get in my donation, but I cannot donate again for 8 weeks, Mid October.

I donated platelets yesterday but cannot go back again until very late October. Probably because of the volume limitations. My stays on the chair are often quite long with me doing double or even triple units.

[Matzy]

I donated blood for many years. But since I visited UK and stood there for 2 weeks ARC don't want to take my blood anymore. I understand, but it's sad anyway.

[Taltarzac725]

I donated blood for many years. But since I visited UK and stood there for 2 weeks ARC don't want to take my blood anymore. I understand, but it's sad anyway.

They do have many limitations on those who can donate. Even among those who can donate blood, red blood cells, platelets, or plasma few actually do.

[leftyf]

I donated platelets yesterday. Charli called in sick and there was only 3 people there and it was very slow. Juanita said that last Saturday they had 4 platelet appoints and only one showed up. The other 3 didn't even call to cancel, how rude.

[Taltarzac725]

I donated platelets yesterday. Charli called in sick and there was only 3 people there and it was very slow. Juanita said that last Saturday they had 4 platelet appoints and only one showed up. The other 3 didn't even call to cancel, how rude.

I had Juanita part of the time and the newest woman as well. Teresa maybe??

I cannot go back until late October but had already set up two appointments for early and mid October. Had to cancel those. This was my 18th donation so far this year. 16 of these were platelets. I like to donate whole blood once in while but often get the person who checks me in on the tablet telling me I should be doing platelets with my AB- blood type.

[leftyf]

They all tell me to never donate whole blood unless it is for lowering my iron levels. They are desparate for the Platelets. Juanita and Charli had me cut off from donating, but Blanca corrected them and got me donating again. I now make my own appointments and go back one year to see when I am eligible. Been working good so far. The other person you were talking about is Terry, she used to work on the mobiles.

[SFSkol]

Donate Blood on the Big Red Bus
at the Segway Riders Club of The Villages BLOOD DRIVE

Tuesday, October 3 • 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Seabreeze Recreation Center
2384 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages, FL 32162

As a thank you for saving lives, all blood donors will receive a FREE Rialto Movie Ticket,* a FREE Coupon to Cody's Roadhouse,* and a FREE wellness checkup, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening. (All ALYX (double red cell) donors will receive an ADDITIONAL Rialto Movie Ticket)

Make an appointment.

[Taltarzac725]

They all tell me to never donate whole blood unless it is for lowering my iron levels. They are desparate for the Platelets. Juanita and Charli had me cut off from donating, but Blanca corrected them and got me donating again. I now make my own appointments and go back one year to see when I am eligible. Been working good so far. The other person you were talking about is Terry, she used to work on the mobiles.

This is not Terry but a newer woman. She has only been there a few months. She is a thinner African-American woman.

[Taltarzac725]

One Blood has stepped up for helping victims and others affected by the Las Vegas mass shooting.

OneBlood Sending Blood to Las Vegas After Mass Shooting | Mediakit | mysuncoast.com (http://www.mysuncoast.com/mediakit/oneblood-sending-blood-to-las-vegas-after-mass-shooting/article_34d5f04e-a794-11e7-bc3d-4f15e641e9d6.html)

OneBlood preparing shipment of blood, platelets to Las Vegas shooting victims | WEAR (http://weartv.com/news/local/oneblood-preparing-shipment-of-blood-platelets-to-las-vegas-shooting-victims)

[Taltarzac725]

Am allowed to donate platelets again and may do this next week. We will see.

[leftyf]

I donated yesterday

[Taltarzac725]

I donated yesterday

Good for you, leftyf.

[Taltarzac725]

I had a 12:15 PM, 10/13/2017 appointment and did not get seated until 1:25 PM or so and then the 1:45 PM sticking went bad so they stopped the process when I complained about pain the stuck arm.

Had been in such a rush to get out of the house and on time that I put on two different black shoes from different pairs.

Did talk to a very nice platelet donor while we were both waiting.

I will try again whenever the bruise and the computer as well as visitors from various places allow me to do so.

The movie I started to watch on Netflix looked quite interesting War Machine with Brad Pitt.

[JohnN]

I'm a regular ALYX double red donor at both One Blood and Life South (different times obviously). Over the last 40 years, I've been a regular donor and I used to manage a local blood drive where I worked.

In The Villages over the last 10 years, I'd say
1) I don't much care for the One Blood Donor Center at Spanish Plaines. The folks there seem a bit "edgy" and the facility is not very comfortable, plus it's often crowded with long waits. The Life South center in Ocala does not have a double red machine so I don't visit there.

Thus I use the buses.
2) The One Blood bus is easier to find in the area and have better "rewards" such as they are (ie: movie tickets)
3) I like the Life South personnel somewhat better, the reward is a tshirt of which I have a hundred. I've had a better donor experience there overall but it's close.
So it's a coin toss.

[Taltarzac725]

Did this yesterday and it turned out it was for the good cause of the relief of the shooting victims of Parkland.

Villagers Help Victims Of Shooting Through Blood Donations - The Villages Daily Sun: In Today's Daily Sun (http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/in_todays_daily_sun/villagers-help-victims-of-shooting-through-blood-donations/article_18487db0-12d9-11e8-ac38-8babd592bd67.html)

[Taltarzac725]

Platelet donation today went well. Had not donated since around Halloween of 2017. For platelets I mean.

Juanita did an excellent job with the needles. :bigbow:

And I got to watch all of the movie Moana which has the rock singing as well as a very good 17 year old.