RR Blood Drive 2011: Help Save A Life
by jch24 on Apr 27, 2011 7:00 PM EDT
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PrintA little over a year ago Slyde asked all of us to do something we should be doing anyway - donate blood. Well I'm here to ask you this year: Will you please donate? It's for the greatest of causes (saving lives), you'll get some sweet karma for the afterlife, and you'll even be eligible for a prize from us here at Red Reporter!
(Votto & Bruce agree!)
I'll get to the prize stuff in a bit but first I want to preach for a minute. Cancer sucks, and it sucks bad. I've been unlucky enough to have people close to me afflicted more than a couple times, while being lucky enough not to have lost a family member to the disease yet. The facts are cold and hard - if you're male you stand a 44% chance of developing an invasive form of cancer before you die. Female? 38%. (source)
Cancer treatment is brutal and many patients use donated blood to help recover from chemotherapy. Throw in its use in treatment of trauma/accidents, hemophilia, burns, anemia, open heart/other more "standard" surgeries, and a slew of other maladies and you can certainly see why blood donations are in high demand.
The American Red Cross has some facts and statistics about blood if you'd like to read up as well as some FAQ about blood donation in general. For those in the Cincinnati area, you'll most likely be headed to one of the many Hoxworth Neighborhood Donor Centers. They also have a list of FAQ and general info for first timers on their site, which can be found here.
TL;DR - Giving blood doesn't hurt, doesn't take long, and could save someone's life or many someones' lives. Maybe even the life of someone you know. There's really no non-medical excuse for not donating. Go donate. Now.
If you're like me and haven't donated as often as you want/should, that's where the motivation of a prize comes in! Donate blood between now and June 30th, 2011 (be sure to tell them you're doing ti for Red Reporter!), fill out the form below or send me an email by clicking the email button next to my name at the bottom of the page and your name will be tossed into the hopper. I will be drawing out a name on July 1st and will ship/deliver to them a baseball autographed by former Reds SS Barry Larkin. Donate as often as you'd like or can to increase your odds of winning. To rectify a valid complaint from last time, donations will be weighted as follows due to recovery times:
Platelets - 1
Plasma - 2
Whole Blood - 4
Double Red - 8
All I ask is that you please be honest when filling out the form below:
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This is my favorite part of RR...
Yeah, y’all are smart, quick witted, and fun to ‘watch’ a game with…but one thing I’ve come to notice is the site is filled with good people who mean well. And giving blood is something I haven’t done since last summer, so I’ll make it a point.
What does a mama bear on the pill have in common with the World Series? No cubs.
Jesus, that sounds corny.
What does a mama bear on the pill have in common with the World Series? No cubs.
But it's true!
We’re a foul mouthed but well-meaning lot.
Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. ~Homer Simpson
by Hawkeyegirl96 on Apr 27, 2011 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Does anyone know what the blood donating rules are 'round here in Cincinnati?
Hoxworth does a blood drive at my office several times a year, but I’m unable to donate to them or within the Mercy system. They allow people with tattoos to give blood, but only if you received the tattoos in Ohio, Indiana or Kentucky. Despite the fact that my tattoo guy’s studio is more sterile than a doctor’s office, I can’t give blood here since I didn’t get them locally.
I was just curious if anyone knew if this was an area-wide rule, or just Hoxworth and Mercy. I give blood back home in Iowa with no problem, but I’d like to do so here in Cincy as well.
Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. ~Homer Simpson
I've given blood recently and I got my tattoos in Hawaii
/Obama’d
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
Cool.
Apparently it’s just Hoxworth and Mercy who think I’m a dirty girl.
Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. ~Homer Simpson
by Hawkeyegirl96 on Apr 29, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
What's the difference between "whole blood" and "double red"?
And why does it sound like I’m trying to place an order at a vampire restaurant?
"People don't kill people. Burning oreo packages kill people."
by crolfer on Apr 27, 2011 7:52 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
When you donate double red, you get a funny taste in your mouth.
I think it is from the saline they put back into you, or something.
Or even if I just like such as judged a fish contest that would get me outta the house and in some air.
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Apr 27, 2011 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I've never had that and I've donated double reds probably 15 times or so.
It’s usually just a mixture of your plasma and saline. I get cold though while doing it.
Calmer than you are.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Apr 28, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I usually get it
They give me a tums and it makes it better.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Apr 28, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
All I know is that giving double red looks scary
And they won’t let me do it because I’m not heavy enough. Apparently it’s pretty draining (zing!) and you have to be relatively decent sized to do it.
Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. ~Homer Simpson
by Hawkeyegirl96 on Apr 29, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
I've never given blood...
But I was a stem cell donor for my brother’s bone marrow transplant last year. It’s great that you all do this.
by badenjr on Apr 27, 2011 8:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
oy
yer pretty great yerself, you big lug. great thing.
Brother is doing better, I hope?
CET Brown
Can't Evaluate Talent.
by supergrover on Apr 27, 2011 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't give blood because of this disease I have.
It is called “winning”.
But, in all seriousness I used to give blood a lot, but not much in the past year with my work schedule. I should probably get back on the train and give much more. The funniest part is the last three times I have given blood they targeted me for double red, I think it has to do with that 220lbs of man that I am. But, every time they get ready to do it, they can’t find a vein, or something weird happens, and they only take a regular pint. Usually I will tell them to just take too anyway, it allows for some really sweet naps.
Why are you working the permit's desk, and why was that child clubbing your nuggets? ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Apr 27, 2011 8:42 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm always asked to do double red because I'm O Positive.
I’m in high demand!
And you get cookies and lemonade at the end! I usually go with the Nutter Butters or Lorna Doone
Calmer than you are.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Apr 28, 2011 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions
It has been confirmed that Nutter Butters are the cookie of choice at Valhalla
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
It seems like most places I go they have cold sandwiches or pizza.
The thing I love most about giving blood is the free t-shirts. I’ll do almost anything for a free t-shirt.
Why are you working the permit's desk, and why was that child clubbing your nuggets? ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Apr 28, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
A free t-shirt might could be arranged
XL baby doll right?
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
I'll squeeze into it if it is free.
Why are you working the permit's desk, and why was that child clubbing your nuggets? ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Apr 28, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm O negative, so they always try to get me to do it
but I had a horrible experience giving double red last time, plus it took something like two hours. So I’m back to just giving a single unit each time. I’m fine with going more often if it doesn’t take two hours.
Still not a candidate.
I tried to weight the types of donations by how often you could theoretically go in two months so as to alleviate the one complaint from last time
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
I'm actually not sure if I'm even able to go again before July 1
since the waiting period after double red is 112(!) days.
Still not a candidate.
When did you go? I set the end date specifically at 9 weeks so someone who had just given a double red could donate
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
You're not calculating that correctly.
Here’s the frequency chart:
Donation Type Donation Frequency
Blood (whole blood) Every 56 days
Platelets Every 7 days, up to 24 times / year
Plasma Every 28 days, up to 13 times / year
Double Red Cells Every 112 days, up to 3 times / year
Still not a candidate.
Oh, right
I forgot about that. I decided 4 months was too long to draw this out so I capped it at 9 weeks, gambling that no one had donated a double red in the last two months.
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
So if I donate twice in that period
should I submit the form twice, or just mark it as a double?
Still not a candidate.
Once for each donation
If it’s two regular whole blood donations, two forms entries.
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
But in my specific case
it turns out that I donated exactly 112 days ago, so I made an appointment for tomorrow.
Still not a candidate.
I've never had a problem. I'm usually done giving in 35 minutes or so.
Calmer than you are.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Apr 28, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not a huge guy, and more importantly
I lucked into getting a woman being trained on that machine. So she was both incredibly slow and not very good at it.
I didn’t like feeling like I was having a medical procedure with actual risks, administered by a nurse’s aid in training.
Still not a candidate.
Understandable.
I wasn’t besmirching your experience, merely stating that I’ve had pretty good luck.
Calmer than you are.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Apr 28, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh, I didn't think you were.
I’ve given blood a ton and never felt like I was at any sort of risk until that time. And then it took more than twice as long as a regular appointment, which kind of defeats the purpose.
They actually lowered the required weight fairly recently. Before, you had to weight 155 pounds for the double, and I didn’t qualify. Given that I’m 6’3", I should just stick to giving whole blood and leave the double machine to the larger individuals.
Still not a candidate.
Someone get this man a sammich for god's sake!
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
jch, it's up to you.
Take him on one of your burger runs.
"The USA despite its flaws and corruption and overall messiness is still a great and powerful instrument of freedom and hope for the entire world." - Madville
That happened to me once in the AF
I needed an IV and the person giving it to me was in training. It sucked HARD.
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
Your wife is a lucky one
I’m usually done giving after about a minute and a half.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds and The MSP Reds Annual today!
by Slyde on Apr 28, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Who's this new juvenile Slyde?
Welcome!
Calmer than you are.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Apr 28, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the last time I gave blood they had the needle in me for five minutes, and that is a big maybe.
I like to think I have a lot of blood, so it comes out fast.
Why are you working the permit's desk, and why was that child clubbing your nuggets? ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Apr 28, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey, I'm O positive, too!
Can I call you if I ever get in an accident?
by the finest muffins on Apr 28, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Aw man, I wish I was O-positive
and you were in an accident. :(
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds and The MSP Reds Annual today!
O, I'm positive I was an accident
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
by jch24 on Apr 28, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I'm O positive, and I was in an accident last week
Irony. Or something.
Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. ~Homer Simpson
by Hawkeyegirl96 on Apr 29, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I just want people to call me
#sadface
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds and The MSP Reds Annual today!
It's nice to feel wanted.
Calmer than you are.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Apr 28, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Lorna Doones are underrated cookies
especially if with lemonade.
Let's not kid ourselves. It's really, really, bad.
Love to give but can't
they tend to not like passing cancer dude blood :(
CET Brown
Can't Evaluate Talent.
The funny thing about donating platelets
Is that nurses administer a medication that makes your nose itch, but you are not allowed to move your arms during the procedure.
by LyotardFactory on Apr 27, 2011 10:29 PM EDT reply actions
I have a feeling I'm gunna regret admitting this
but I can’t give blood because I was born in London, and there’s a chance that Mad Cow Disease could still be dormant in my blood. I’m pretty sure whatever the disease equivalent of a statute of limitations is for Mad Cow will expire pretty soon, but every time I go try, they tell me no. Anyway, at least know that the sentiment is there, and also that tomorrow I might wake up foaming at the mouth and mooing.
[commence UncleWeez Mad Cow jokes…NOW]
Joey Votto on Colin Cowherd: "I don’t know who he is"
I don't think there is a statute of limitations for Mad Cow
That’s the problem with prion diseases – the incubation period can be decades. Fifty years or more is possible.
Mad Cow (variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease) is really interesting. Everyone who got sick in the UK had specific genetic type – what they call mm, meaning they got the m version of the gene from both father and mother. You can also be mv or vv. They used to think that people who were mv or vv were immune, but now it looks like they just take a lot longer to get sick. It’s quite possible there will be a second and third wave of vCJD in the UK in the future.
Do they ask you if you eat squirrel brains?
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
CJD scares the living hell out of me
You can’t realistically kill prions, and the disease is just terrible. My ex-wife and in-laws are from Evansville, home to some yearly festival that celebrates cow brain sandwiches as a delicacy. I eat a lot of bad stuff and revel in eating weird stuff, but no thanks.
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
yeah
There have even been cases where prion diseases have been spread via surgical instruments. The sterilization procedures that work for bacteria and viruses don’t work on prions.
I’ve heard cow brains are delicious. They get very light and fluffy if you deep-fry them. But I don’t think I want to risk a prion disease.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
so you're saying that I actually might wake up with mad cow?
way to ruin my day!
just kidding. The doctors always say that I’m at virtually zero risk, but that I can’t donate due to ta technicality. They just say to “keep checking” as the stipulations might change at any time. Anyone know? I was born in 1986.
Joey Votto on Colin Cowherd: "I don’t know who he is"
the risk is very low
There have been, what, 170 people so far who have gotten Mad Cow in the UK? That’s with 40% of the population genetically mm, and therefore vulnerable in the first wave. Out of 60 million people.
But the disease is so bad, the American Red Cross sees no reason to take the risk. Also, blood transfusions may be especially risky. (For the recipient, not the donor.) Only one person who wasn’t mm has gotten vCJD in the UK: a vm person who contracted it via a blood transfusion.
In the UK, they figure it’s worth the risk. One, there would be no donors if they screened like they do here. And two, they figure everyone in the UK has already been exposed, and so a transfusion is a relatively small additional risk.
There has been talk of a reliable blood test recently. They would really like to know how many people are incubating the disease without showing symptoms.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
they weren't exposed by eating beef
They could still be exposed via blood transfusions, or by contaminated surgical instruments (and maybe cooking implements?).
There’s also some concern that it could be transmitted from mother to child via the placenta or breast milk, though there’s no evidence that it has ever happened.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I just realized that I'll be out of the country on July 1st so the winner will actually be announced on the 4th of July or thereabouts
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
Mexico, actually
To see the second half of the duo that heckled a Reds fan for proposing in 2007 get married.
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
Anyone want to go on a bender after donating?
I’ll let you buy the first round. That should be enough for me!
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds and The MSP Reds Annual today!
You'll buy the first round you say? I'm in!
"I'm telling you, my other poo story is much better." -- btcoop71
So I donated yesterday
and was told that my blood would be going to a newborn. There’s apparently a different sort of bag for that, though the woman taking my blood was kind of vague on what that actually meant.
But kind of neat to know.
Still not a candidate.
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