[quote=Nanwa][quote=Tom Thumb]

You were questioning why the Red Cross wasn't taking the politically correct line on the subject.

I'm with ya, Nanwa. Heck, they discriminate against those who've visited certain other countries, those who have had tattoos, those who have taken certain meds, and those who've had cancer!

My daughter has received over 24 blood transfusions. To those that donate thank you.

She received "infected blood" once - it contained Pseudomonas - which can be deadly. It was one of our scariest moments in the hospital. Almost as scary as the time that she almost bled to death in the PICU. Things get past the screening. Period.

To that person that suggested to lie on the questionnaire...I am so angry and disgusted that I am shaking.

My uncle died of AIDS. Yep he was gay. To heck with being PC. I've seen it first hand. And not really wanting to see it again.

Things DO get past screening! About a month ago or so I read an article which stated that 4 organ recipients contracted HIV from the donor, who's blood tested negative for the virus during the screening process, yet was infected. I had to have about 40 units of blood and packed cells transfused back in 1983. I was living in an area about 100 miles outside of San Francisco. I am sure some of that blood came from high risk donors. NO test is failsafe. It comes down to the benefit outweighing the risks. Period. I give blood regularly, and have since I was a teenager. It is the right thing to do!

If you read my post, I didnt suggest to lie on the questionnaire...and I'm offended that you implied that I did.

"my question is - how do they know? why wouldnt you just lie and donate anyways...I'm sure the blood is screened right? It's not like it's labeled gay blood after the fact.... "

I was questioning the fact of how would Red Cross know the true answers to the questions...What does being PC have anything to do with it??? I was supporting the fact that anyone should be able to donate as long as the blood is screened after the fact.

I'm sorry I disgust you.

how silly of me. how could i suggest that you weren't analyzing every word of a post.

breaking out each statement in separate quote highlights doesn't make you clever or smarter than anyone else. more anal, yes. but more clever, hardly.

I give blood, but I haven't been able to for 2 yrs b/c I got a tattoo, and several piercings.

I'm O+ they are always sending me stuff in the mail about donating, I like to do it. Except I hate needles!! I have almost fainted a few times giving blood.

I used to donate more often because there were more drives in the area of my old office. Now I pretty much donate when there is a drive at my current office. I need to do it more often. I am AB- which is the rarest. Less than 1 in 100. They call me all the time to donate.

In the same post:


And then, nUnZ wrote:



You hate needles but you got a tattoo and "several" piercings?!? That makes no sense to me.

Giving blood is definitely a great thing, but I won't be an organ donor, I hear it makes ambulance drivers drive slower to the hospital.

Oh, BlueHen, that is sooooo not true!

I think organ donation is another great thing to do.

Nunz, I always would be fine donating blood until the nurse would walk by and say "Almost done", then the room would spin, and they'd put the ice packs on the back of my neck! I could never watch them put the needle in!

They always loved me.. I'm a speed bleeder. In and out in 15-20 minutes tops.

Needle-phobe here. I get all woozy whenever I have to have blood drawn or have an injection of any sort.

I tried to tough it out one time in college, but was really skinny at the time and passed out cold as soon as I stood up. Between those two things, I don't even try to donate any more.

Yeah, they want you to be at least 110 pounds. I'm 125 now, but boarderline anemic. In the past, they would sometimes send me home, because my drop of blood wouldn't sink in that blue solution they use to determine iron levels.

Now they use a capillary tube and a centrifuge.

I know. I was kidding!

Careful BlueHen or I'll rip your spleen out! Hmmm....could probably get alot for it on the black market....

Listen, I read your post, and responded to something that was incorrect. Why don't you take some time and think about how it is that you came to believe something that was completely incorrect, rather than getting mad at me for questioning you about it.



I'm not trying to be clever, dear. I'm trying to be clear.

please don't call me dear.

Tom, chill! And roll up your sleeve please!

Duly noted.



Nanwa, I'm as cool as a cucumber, and have given plenty.

i would like to donate but i am unable to since i used to live in england before 1990.

i am an organ donor though.

How do you know a cucumber is cool? Did you, personally, take a cucumber out of a refrigerator? Was it on ice?

*giggles*

Yep, I wanted a Tatoo and Different piercings. I don't sit there and watch. Anyway I don't have to explain anything to you, I'm sorry that just "doesn't make sense" to you

I don't like getting shots either and when I watch Intervention and it's about a junkie who shoots drugs through needles I turn my head.

Why don't you find something better to do than pick apart other posters posts.

Good thing that I kept reading... I was getting ready to start fightin with the bluehen

Nanwa I don't think that you can get much for a spleen...liver maybe...but the spleen is similar to a sponge - just absorbs really.

Sure if helps the immune-system and your WBC, but you can live without it. It was suggested that we remove the bear's.

Nunz, I really just think he was teasing. I know a lot of folks who hate needles but have tats and piercings.

Easy Nunz, I think Hen was merely pointing out the irony of it. I had to chuckle myself when I read it. It's funny.