2,952 people want to do this.

Give blood


 

People who have done this

   

How to give blood by 952

"I've given blood numerous times. Yesterday I gave platelets for the first time."

How I did it: I went to the grocery store after school to buy groceries and something for dinner.  When I pulled up, the blood mobile was there.  I thought to myself "I think it's been long enough since the last time I gave to give again!" and so decided to visit my friends before shopping(so the ice cream doesn't melt).

When I went inside, everyone was happy to see me, and offered me juice and cookies and stuff.  I had been snorkleing at school all afternoon, so was tired and a little thirsty, but ready to go.  Someone said:"you should do the ALYX today" and I said sure, not knowing what that was.  ALYX is a platelet machine, and so I donated platelets.

It took a little longer, and really felt creepy while the machine was cycling my blood back and forth with saline.  I'm going to donate regular next time, but plan to do platelets every other time(it really felt strange).  Everyone who is eligible should donate blood at least once, I believe.  Good for the soul.

In exchange for my blood, I recieved a pair of tickets to the movies, a free appetizer from Outback and a nifty tee shirt en espanol.  It was a nice perk, in addition to the snacks, and the knowledge that I helped save someones life.

Lessons & tips: Just do it.

Resources: South Florida Blood Bank.


6 people found this helpful
 

Sep 23, 2008, 09:06PM PDT | 3 comments | 41 cheers



More "How I Did It" stories

Thoughtcriminal31 - wondering why I haven't achieved these goals yet...

It took me
9 months
It made me
Rewarding

How I did it: It took me a while. I'm not scared of needles, but I WAS scared of feeling faint afterwards. Unfortunately I got so worked up and anxious that I actually did feel that way, probably mainly from anxiety. It's good to face one's fears sometimes, and this is something that could really help someone else. Read how I did it…

Nov 18, 01:04PM PST | 0 comments | 4 cheers


stuffandthingshappen

It took me
1 day
It made me

How I did it: I did this back in college; they were having a drive at the campus's main building, so I went.  More importantly, I got free juice and cookies.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to do it since then, between my low weight and anemia. Read how I did it…

Nov 18, 10:50AM PST | 0 comments


ConvertnotCoerce

It took me
1 day
It made me
Good

How I did it: I am sure that a clinic or school near you will be hosting a blood drive.  It is very simple to donate.  When I went to give blood for the very first time, when i first turned 16, I signed up at my school.  They made me fill out some light paperwork, then put a needle into my skin, with minimal pain.  The process took no more than 15 minutes.  Its nice to think that you may have saved someone's life from one small… Read how I did it…

Nov 09, 10:41PM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers


m88

It took me
1 year
It made me
Have a good feeling

How I did it: I wanted to donate blood since I don't know when, but since I have a skin condition I wasn't sure I was allowed to donate.Then one day I looked up information about it online, went to the FAQ's, found out I was probaly allowed to donate, made an appointment with the organisation to get my blood tested (and bloodpressure and stuff). After my blood was tested I got a letter inviting me for the next donation in my town. Read how I did it…

Nov 08, 09:14AM PST | 0 comments | 3 cheers


Robadjuster is Yeah,

It took me
1 day
It made me

How I did it: I first had the opportunity to donate blood a couple of days after I had gotten a tattoo. I could not give blood because of it. Several years later, I had heard that the regulations had been changed, and I was now eligible. Drove down to the nearest blood drive, and let them stick me. Read how I did it…

Nov 05, 08:36PM PST | 0 comments | 3 cheers


→ See all 98 "How I did it" stories

People doing this:

    		•
  • Melbourne
    4 entries
  • Sunset Beach
    4 entries

    • → See all people

    People doing this are also doing these things:

    Entries

    Phoebster128

    i waaaant tooooo! 2 days ago

    every fall we have a blood drive at school and now that i’m old enough, I DON’T WEIGH ENOUGH.

    i know that a lot of people would say ‘you’re seriously complaining that you don’t weigh enough to donate blood?’ but…yeah! i am! i really want to give blood, especially since i know a lot of people that have needed to have blood transfusions. but i WILL do it. maybe when i’m older or something and my metabolism slows down. I WILL GIVE BLOOD!

    Nov 17, 06:55PM PST | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    Ganeal

    Untitled 3 days ago

    I’ve wanted to do this for a long time now. Right now I’m 15 and close to actually being able to donate, I’m so excited! I do have a fear of needles, however I like to think as if I’m mabye a cancer patient. If I got the news that there is none of my blood type available at the time, that would be horrible. And just because one person didn’t feel like donating blood.

    Facts: Red blood cells only stay good for 42 days. White blood cells only 5 days. (This is bad because a main reason people need blood is obviously the immunt system is in bad condition.) Plazma however can be cleaned and reused. Also only 3% of people go through their lives with giving blood at least once.

    So please, be one of the 3% and spend mabye 15 minutes to save a life.

    Nov 17, 03:04PM PST | 0 comments


    clare90 He's so confusing :(

    Blood Donation #2 2 weeks ago

    I went on Wednesday, it was great!

    Nov 06, 01:41PM PST | 0 comments


    sierraxdopex

    You Know, 2 weeks ago

    It’s all recycling, folks.

    Nov 01, 11:21PM PST | 0 comments


    ashawa

    Fatness 3 weeks ago

    Apparently, I gained a few pounds. I find this strange due to the fact that if anything I have been eating healthier and I actually felt as though I had lost weight. On the upside, if a blood bank happens to be near by anytime soon, I can legally give blood. I pray I find one fast.

    Oct 27, 02:38AM PDT | 0 comments


    jomc

    Cant do it 3 weeks ago

    Actully can’t do this coz i had a blood transfusion b4! Quite relieved but also disapointed as i’ll never know if i would have been brave enough to go and do it! I would like to think i could have got over myself and donated but i’ll never know!

    Oct 26, 03:45AM PDT | 0 comments


    _Nessa all i can say is..wow

    The age you need to be is 18 3 weeks ago

    So i guess i have to wait a year and a bit. And i also have a huge fear of needles, sharp objects, blood, diseases, being cut etc. so this may be an issue!

    Oct 25, 07:33AM PDT | 0 comments


    AaroninsouthMN is thinking road trip.

    Untitled 4 weeks ago

    Ever time I can I donate, I may need some blood someday so I give now.

    Oct 18, 10:24PM PDT | 0 comments


    Mrs_Allen

    waiting to donate 1 month ago

    I had a tattoo done at the end of June so I have to wait 6 months until I can donate.
    I’ve researched it tho and found my local place.
    Something to do at the beginning of the year

    Oct 10, 07:58AM PDT | 0 comments


    Pancemaster is measuring her worth by things that dont matter

    Coming Soon 1 month ago

    So I walk by a sign for blood drive coming up in a couple weeks every once in awhile at school.

    Thinking about doing it. I just hope this time I can get my blood sugar and iron (and nerves) up enough to do it without getting nauseous and dizzy…

    Oct 07, 10:33PM PDT | 0 comments


    → See all 1759 entries

    Ask for advice: Get help from people who've accomplished this goal


    Açores
    		 Ironically Zen asks, “As a vegetarian how can i improve my hemoglobin levels to become an acceptable donor?”
    — 2 years ago


    		 35 answers

    Massachusetts
    		 stressybessy asks, “Does anyone know whether immigrants to the USA can give blood? I immigrated from the UK to the USA two years ago and I was just wandering”
    — 2 years ago


    		 9 answers

    Leeds
    		 summer_in_europe asks, “Can you do it just once or is it compulsory to do it a certain amount of times a year?”
    — 2 years ago


    		 18 answers

    Louisville
    		 jewels is sparkling this season! asks, “What's the general weight requirement? I'm usually about107-110pds. How can I add on some healthy weight to give blood?”
    — 3 years ago


    		 13 answers

    New York State
    		 Deirdre asks, “is there anything special i need to do before i go, like not eat something, etc?”
    — 4 years ago


    		 19 answers

    Peterborough
    		 Praias asks, “If you are REALLY scared of needles, like you really panick, can you do it?”
    — 4 years ago


    		 11 answers

    People who once wanted to do this are now doing these things:

    People have suggested "Give blood" is really the same as:

     

    I want to:

    The world wants to...

    work out at least 3 times a week play halo bartzturkeymom wants to watch all movies on AFI's 100 Best movies list Speak French fluently napoleon write a book buy a car Take the GRE learn to crochet participate in a protest take dance classes build something look closer wants to find out who's subscribing to me :) go back to school get rid of my acne get my private pilot's license Watch all episodes of "Futurama" ever made Visit Germany watch the full episodes of roswell, buffy, dawson's creek, smallville, heroes, prison break, veronica mars, lost live off the grid learn to snowboard Locate a few useful library related blogs and/or news feeds. bspolo wants to become debt free Volunteer at a hospital have a nice wardrobe kayak in Alaska beg for money appreciate life
    43 Things Login