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jess24
01/13/13 7:50 pm

I'm not allowed to because I am gay! So dumb

sarah1911 Poolesville MD
01/13/13 3:59 pm

All my life I've been too anemic or weighed too little. I'm just a small person at only 5ft. For awhile it was because I had had blood transfusions during surgeries but luckily they can test the blood so transfusing is save now. :)

ndkdjsbxodndn
01/11/13 6:42 pm

Never gotten past the weight requirement...I'm really short!

susanr Colorado
01/11/13 2:26 am

Yeah, I just checked the RC web site & they list all if what they test EVERY donation for, and HIV is on the list. They're very specific about which viruses they test for (HIV 1, HIV 2) and what tests they use.

susanr Colorado
01/11/13 2:22 am

...has injected drugs including steroids, prostitutes, anyone who has received clotting factor concentrates, & for a few other reasons. I wish they'd let gays who are celibate or in monogamous relationships donate, but I understand their caution. (I'm prohibited from donating for a related reason.)

susanr Colorado
01/11/13 2:19 am

I thought all blood donations WERE tested for HIV, but that if one had recently acquired the virus it would not necessarily show up in testing, and they have to be as careful as possible. There is NO myth within the Red Cross that only gays have HIV - they also prohibit from donating anyone who...

kstodc
01/10/13 9:42 pm

I've got an appointment to donate next week :)

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poorincollege Boston metro
01/10/13 8:33 pm

I don't actually like this. Just agree with the statement.

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emosauce
01/10/13 8:35 am

The sad truth is that the Red Cross doesn't HIV screen all the blood they take. There is still a myth within the organization that HIV/AIDS is a gay man's disease.

I don't agree with it, but that's why.

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jayj
01/08/13 9:03 pm

I'm gay and Im not allowed to

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xxclixxx Rhode Island
01/08/13 6:47 pm

its my blood back off you vampires

RGirl
01/08/13 4:47 pm

I am too young to donate blood

RGirl
01/08/13 4:46 pm

Bad blood is what I meant to say

RGirl
01/08/13 4:46 pm

I don't understand why being gay has anything to do with that because it doesn't mean you have blood.

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rb928 Northern Kentucky
01/08/13 10:55 am

Right? It's so stupid. Even if you are in a loving, monogamous relationship (as I am). That rule plays off archaic stereotypes and fear.

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bhuelska
01/07/13 9:13 pm

Well because I'm gay (and not willing to lie about that fact) I'm not allowed to give blood in this country

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tuvwxyz New York
01/07/13 8:26 pm

Hate needles due 2 a rlly bad experience when I was really lil (I have med issues) but I really want 2 donate blood & my skl does a drive but I'm too young. Def gonna do it when old enough tho! Pat on the back for those who do and it's okay for those who don't, just do something else 2 give bck!

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JanuaryLove
01/07/13 4:03 pm

Thanks for the info, tommy. I am O+. Didn't realize it was the most common. I enjoy trivia like that.

tommysq Chicagoland
01/07/13 3:51 pm

O+ is the most common, don't worry.

cornybread The Large Malus Fruit
01/07/13 3:49 pm

it's better than getting a shot, where they inject stuff into your arm and it feels like your muscle is expanding and contracting at the same time. I hate that feeling!

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cornybread The Large Malus Fruit
01/07/13 3:42 pm

aha. now that I think about it, I do remember my 9th grade biology teacher telling me about AB+. what's the deal with O+ then? I was all excited because I thought it meant they would always have blood for me...

jamjay Atlanta, Ga
01/07/13 3:14 pm

Do Not do Needles. Nope. Thank you to those of you who donate.

bop
01/07/13 1:46 pm

my blood pressure is so low that I'm practically dead. I once lost vision for an entire roller coaster, though I was still conscious. I should probably stay away from losing any...

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bop
01/07/13 1:46 pm

my blood pressure is so low that I'm practically dead. I once lost vision for an entire roller coaster, though I was still conscious. I should probably stay away from losing any...

trace1285
01/07/13 11:53 am

I can't donate because I'm anemic, have chronic Lyme Disease, and they usually can't find a vessel even with a butterfly. There are so many reasons why some people aren't able to donate...

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justin1121
01/07/13 10:40 am

I voted no because I'm not allowed

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wrabbit26
01/07/13 10:04 am

Since I lived in England in the early 1980's, most places won't accept my blood because there isn't a test for mad cow disease yet.

Let me know if this is no longer true. I want to donate.

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tommysq Chicagoland
01/07/13 9:09 am

JLove is correct.

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JanuaryLove
01/07/13 8:52 am

AB+ is the universal receiver. O- is the universal donor. I believe that an exact blood type match is always preferred, but O- can be given to anyone in an emergency.

JanuaryLove
01/07/13 8:41 am

O- is the universal donor. I am O+ like you, and we can definitely still help people with our donations.

sccr28jb No No No
01/07/13 3:48 am

AB+, if I'm not mistaken, can only donate to AB+ people.... Which happens to be about 1.7% of the US

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sahmiam
01/07/13 2:30 am

I have only been able to donate once, though I have tried to several more times. I can't keep my hematocrit high enough for them.

cornybread The Large Malus Fruit
01/07/13 12:44 am

is that right? I was told O+ was the universal receiver, but it's not a universal donor. O- is the universal donor, so of course I would be able to receive O-

cornybread The Large Malus Fruit
01/07/13 12:37 am

in new York you just get a million questions about people you've had sexual relations with and who those people have had relations with. it gets confusing.

cornybread The Large Malus Fruit
01/07/13 12:31 am

you should be ok as long as you eat BEFORE next time...

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andy123
01/06/13 10:07 pm

The solution may be to give up the donation, but you could try increasing the sugar and liquid intake after donating. It just might work, but everyone is unique

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LilWing00
01/06/13 9:37 pm

3 times in the past few months. I have a universal blood type so Red Cross is always blowin my phone up

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PSU.labtech
01/06/13 9:34 pm

Sometimes I work part time as a phlebotomist when a local blood drive is happening. So I usually give at the end of the day, especially if we didn't reach our goal.

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dreamitliveit IDLH
01/06/13 8:59 pm

I find it rude that blood banks say they need blood so badly, yet they refuse to accept blood from healthy gay/bi men. The sad part is that it's the patients who are really losing out. :(

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CultureChic
01/06/13 8:47 pm

I would and I really wish I could, but I'm restricted because I've spent too many years living in Europe.

jlwillard New York
01/06/13 7:38 pm

I haven't yet because I missed the blood drive at my school but you get a free taco when you do. I mean I don't ask for anything in return but that is seriously awesome.

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sportsballa
01/06/13 6:53 pm

Amen I'm a what some call as an invincible teenager and I hate flu shots due to the needle.

sportsballa
01/06/13 6:49 pm

I'm scared of needles!! I would be the worst heroin addict ever!!????

Destroyer Instillation 04
01/06/13 6:24 pm

10 times so far and I'm only 19.

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xarb93 Indiana
01/06/13 5:56 pm

I can't. I'm a bisexual male who has had gay sex. My blood is forever tainted apparently...

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mama3
01/06/13 12:13 pm

I donate every 3 months. I try to donate platelets whenever I can as well.

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