Show of Hands

Same here

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

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. :)

Hello I m stoopid

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

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.

...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.)

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...

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

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

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.

I'm gay and Im not allowed to

its my blood back off you vampires

I am too young to donate blood

Bad blood is what I meant to say

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

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.

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

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!

Andy, thanks, I'll try it :)

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

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

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!

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...

I'm usually given oreos and pretzels

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

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...

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...

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...

I voted no because I'm not allowed

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.

JLove is correct.

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.

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

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

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.

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-

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.

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

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

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

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.

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. :(

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

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.

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

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

10 times so far and I'm only 19.

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

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