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Are you a blood, bone marrow, and/or organ donor? Why or why not?
- Thread starter RumblingRosco
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The Maverick
Member
Organ donor, yes.
About to start donating blood, if I can.
Marrow, no. I just can't get over it mentally.
About to start donating blood, if I can.
Marrow, no. I just can't get over it mentally.
Wibblewozzer
Member
Sorry to bump this oldish thread.
On 9/28 I signed up for bethematch.com and became eligible on Thanksgiving which was four days ago. Today I got the email telling me I was a possible match and have already started the next steps and will schedule the blood work very soon when I can sort out my schedule for it.
So my question is for those that have been selected before. Is it common to be selected as possible and find out you're not a match after testing? Or is it the opposite that you're only picked as possible when it's nearly guaranteed? I'm curious to see what comes next. This went a whole lot quicker than I expected.
Also since this thread I went and donated blood a couple weeks later and just did platelets about ten days ago. Blood is so simple that everyone should do it. Platelets I can understand people being disinclined due to the time commitment and possible discomfort.
So I guess wish me luck? And wish the 48 year old lady with leukemia luck that I'm a possible match for.
On 9/28 I signed up for bethematch.com and became eligible on Thanksgiving which was four days ago. Today I got the email telling me I was a possible match and have already started the next steps and will schedule the blood work very soon when I can sort out my schedule for it.
So my question is for those that have been selected before. Is it common to be selected as possible and find out you're not a match after testing? Or is it the opposite that you're only picked as possible when it's nearly guaranteed? I'm curious to see what comes next. This went a whole lot quicker than I expected.
Also since this thread I went and donated blood a couple weeks later and just did platelets about ten days ago. Blood is so simple that everyone should do it. Platelets I can understand people being disinclined due to the time commitment and possible discomfort.
So I guess wish me luck? And wish the 48 year old lady with leukemia luck that I'm a possible match for.
Intheflorsh
Banned
My blood is the primo shit-- O negative and pure enough for babies. I go down to the blood bank at least once a month.
brianjones
Member
nobody would want my organs
my organs don't even want me
my organs don't even want me
Wibblewozzer
Member
Are you donating platelets or something? Red Cross has me wait 56 days between whole red blood cell donations and 112 days if I do a double red donation (which I haven't yet and they may not need so much since I'm A-).
I'll try to make it monthly for platelets but I intend to do blood each time I can every eight weeks.
God Dayumm
Banned
I'm organ donor and will mention it again when I test for my license (and donate $1), in the hopes they will forgive my driving errors XD
I know I'm late to this but... wat?
Chance Hale
Member
What reasons do people have for letting their perfectly good organs that could save a life rot in their coffins? It's absurd, doctors aren't going to slit your throat for a lung.
Congrats on being a possible match. For me, they had to do a more thorough test to make sure you're compatible. It still is a possibility that you are not compatible, which is why they need to do more testing.
There are a few steps that will come next, just bare with it and know that you could possibly be saving someone's life. Over here in FL, they reimbursed me for gas and some other stuff, so keep track of mileage if you're going out of your way. After they find out if you're compatible, you'll probably have the choice of doing it through the blood (longer process) or through the marrow. Good luck to both of you, and let me know if you have any other questions.
I'm automatically an organ donor since I haven't expressed any opposition to the idea during my life. I think that's the new law. Unless you have opposed the idea of donating organs after your death you will automatically be considered a donor.
As for blood and bone marrow... I definitely need to get on that. No other reasons than laziness. Which is of course unbelievable stupid.
As for blood and bone marrow... I definitely need to get on that. No other reasons than laziness. Which is of course unbelievable stupid.
SeriousApes
Member
I'm an organ donor because, why not? I have no particular beliefs against it.
I'd donate blood/plasma, but I have trouble with needles. I hate getting my blood drawn.
I'd donate blood/plasma, but I have trouble with needles. I hate getting my blood drawn.
Intheflorsh
Banned
I go to a place called United Blood Services and donate plasma, which can be taken more frequently than whole blood.
Edit: After doing some research, it seems it would be much more useful for me to switch to donating whole blood. Who knew!
jamesinclair
Banned
My body is such a pussy. Even tiny void samples put me close to fainting.
I imagine if I donated I'd actually die
I imagine if I donated I'd actually die
User 100115
Banned
Yes, I am an organ donor.
Can't donate blood because of random anemia.
Same for bone marrow apparently.
Can't donate blood because of random anemia.
Same for bone marrow apparently.
richardhawk
Member
Yes to all. Take all my shit if it means someone who needs it will get it.
Organ donor and I've given blood here. I don't give money to charity so at least give resource to those that may need it.
I hope this is a joke, because organ donor is when you don't even have yours and blood donor is when you have too much.
I hope this is a joke, because organ donor is when you don't even have yours and blood donor is when you have too much.
Yes on organ donor.
Because I'm not a bad person.
Cant give blood, though. At least not in the US. Apparently living in Germany between like 82'-85' or some shit meant I was at risk for some Mad Cow crap and all my blood is therefore useless to people who might need it.
<shrugs>
Because I'm not a bad person.
Cant give blood, though. At least not in the US. Apparently living in Germany between like 82'-85' or some shit meant I was at risk for some Mad Cow crap and all my blood is therefore useless to people who might need it.
<shrugs>
peanutbutterlatte
Member
I have a thing about needles. If they could magically transport my blood out of my body somehow that didn't involve stabbing me, they'd be welcome to it.
All of them. I'm a bag of useful meat. Tbh I don't have a great deal of respect for cultural or religious reasons against that form of charity.
sorry to anyone offended.
however I am also a universal blood donor, but thanks to lazy policy I can't donate (mad cow disease panic)
sorry to anyone offended.
however I am also a universal blood donor, but thanks to lazy policy I can't donate (mad cow disease panic)
BloodMoney
Banned
Organs - Yes, because I will be dead.
Sedation?
Brianemone
Member
Thanks for the info. I was obviously misinformed by my consumption of media, having never heard of it being done in NZ.
I give plasma whenever I can, it has been hard in the past to find the time with work and looking after the kids. I'm on stand down at the moment after my latest tattoo as well. As for the reasons? I just think its the right thing to do, it helps people, and costs me time and a I have a plaster for a day........... not a huge cost to potentially save someones life.
I'll have to look into the marrow registration thing here in NZ.
Wibblewozzer
Member
I knew the reason for more testing but I was wondering more if they're fairly certain or if I was selected as part of a group and from the further testing one person is picked as the best match. In other words, are my odds pretty high that since I'm a possible match that I'm their main hope or if there's a handful of people picked? I'm going through with all of it anyhow but this is more for curiosity and making sure I plan work accordingly since I'll have to take some time off.
Glad you looked into this. Definitely make sure you donate whole red blood. It's even quicker to do and can't be done as often so the commitment is minimal. Besides, you can still donate plasma if you wish, just plan a little time between whole blood and plasma days.
I've heard it varies. The website says to expect a week of time off and up to around three weeks until you feel back to normal. At Red Cross I talked to them recently and one regular donor there has been selected three times for bone marrow. He's a marathon runner and has described it as feeling similar to what it's like to run a marathon and the few days of discomfort that follows.
Regardless, it's definitely not a comfortable thing and can expect at least a few days of being down following it if not a little more. There's also a small (around 1.5%) chance of a serious complication for the donor. So let's hope my odds don't fall in line with that one, eh?
No.
If a family member was in a life/death situation and i was the only match or bone marrow or some organ i can live without and i was guaranteed i wouldn't die i would do it. Otherwise nope. And i am not letting someone gut my insides when i die.. I want mother nature to feast on me.
If a family member was in a life/death situation and i was the only match or bone marrow or some organ i can live without and i was guaranteed i wouldn't die i would do it. Otherwise nope. And i am not letting someone gut my insides when i die.. I want mother nature to feast on me.
Is it lazy policy? I'm in the same boat. My understanding is that it's currently impossible to screen for CJD, so they're just being sensibly cautious. I was told a test is on the way, and potential blood donors should keep an ear to the ground. No idea if that means it'll hit in the next couple of years, or just that it's expected sometime this decade.
At least the potential CJD thing doesn't disqualify people from donating bone marrow/stem cells or organs/tissues.
CountAntonius
Member
Organ yes, bone marrow never looked into it, blood I have but not as often as I should. B Positive blood type. Was cool finding out.
Im an organ donor, but due to an illness and medication they wont let me donate blood. Im very anemic as well, so my blood isnt very viable for people that need it the most unless there is no other option. I get blood transfusion several times a year, and among other things that bounce around your head during the transfusion, you start to grasp what an incredible gift you are being given by a complete stranger. It is strange at first seeing blood from a random person go into your arm, but after a couple of minutes you realize how special of a gift it is. You will never get a chance to thank the person other than try to pass the good will onto strangers.
Statistically I have as much chance of having mad cow disease as some random bastard who has never left Mississipi. So it's lazy because it's bad science. And you can test for it, which is possibly an unnecessary expense for anything except rare and extremely useful blood types. Which is what I have.
thesoapster
Member
Organ donor. See avatar (hurrr)
BannedEpisode
Member
Blood when I have the opportunity and time. I dont go out of my way to find drives or anything but when I was in college I donated a couple gallons I'd bet.
Organs are up for grabs too if I die. I wont be needing them and a part of me will get to keep on kicking for a while after the fact.
Organs are up for grabs too if I die. I wont be needing them and a part of me will get to keep on kicking for a while after the fact.
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