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Do you give blood?
If yes: What made you decide to give the first time? Were you scared or nervous? Would you do it again? What were your feelings after?
If no: Why not? Would you do it if C”V a close family member or neighbor needed blood?
How about platelets? A kidney?
If you are considering giving blood, you should ask your Rav. There are those who hold you shouldn’t give blood in a general blood drive, but only give when it is designated for someone specific. The feeling is that if you give blood, and then a few weeks later someone in the community needs blood, you won’t be able to donate.
That being said, I have given blood in the past and I wasn’t scared or nervous. I don’t remember why I decided to give. And I’ve done it more than once. I don’t think I’m able to give currently because of medication I’m on. But if someone needed blood, I would certainly find out.
I know I can’t give platelets. That require better veins than I have. I tried once and they couldn’t get them from me.
I have no idea how I’d feel about giving a kidney.
I have been giving blood since I was eighteen.
The first time I gave, I passed out in the chair. 🙂 However, every time since then I’ve been fine*. B”H I have good veins and it goes very easy for me.
Six months ago, I took my oldest (he’s 16) to a blood drive and he gave for the first time. He’s since given another pint as well — he’s a quarter of the way to the gallon mark. Eeees often gives as well (although for her it’s harder as she has lousy veins). As my others get older, I am going to encourage them to give as well.
I personally recommend giving blood if you are able to.
The Wolf
* Except for the one time I gave platelets, when I passed out too. Go figure.
I gave blood for many years until a bout of cancer put me on the forbidden list. As of this week I am five years cancer-free and can donate once again. There will be a special blessing next week when I give thanks for having been passed over by Azrael this time around.
The first time I was a little nervous because of fear of the unknown. After that it was no big deal.
Why do I do it? Quite simply, it saves lives. Every time you do it it saves lives. This isn’t the 1900s where they went looking for family members to donate in special operations. The system absolutely depends on a stable, predictable supply of blood. If that exists the hospitals will have what they need when they need it. If they don’t they will be able to get it from nearby in minutes. If people don’t participate in blood drives that will not happen. The blood will not be there when it is needed. People will die. When someone needs blood there isn’t time to go door to door asking everyone if they have the right type and then to get them to the clinic and then screen the blood and then type and cross-match it and… well, you get the idea.
Another reason I give – a bit more selfish – is that I may need it some day. If people don’t support the system it will collapse.
EDITED
A kidney? I haven’t done that although I’ll be back on the donor list again. Thats’ a lot more involved. It’s major surgery, and you don’t have a spare if something goes wrong with the one you have left.
I wish I could donate a kidney, but my doc would never clear me because of hypertension. I think it would make me feel like I did something really important in life. What could be more important than saving another life? I think it would be an automatic ticket to Olam Habah.
Anuran- Generally, if kidneys go, they tend to fail together. Studies have shown that people who donate kidneys have as long a life expectancy as anyone else.
Anyone who is able to, should do so. There is a major shortage and people die every day waiting for kidneys.
Yanky55, I was thinking more of things like cancer or injury than hypertension or other common renal failure.
Old joke, vaguely on-topic…
There were two neighbors who absolutely hated each other. No matter what they were always at odds, always trying to snipe at each other. Finally the Almighty got tired of this and sent an angel to one of them.
The angel said “Greetings, mortal. The Most High has granted you a wish. Whatever you want you can have. But whatever you get your neighbor gets twice as much.”
“Anything I get that nudnik gets double what I do?”
“That’s right, mortal.”
“I want I should donate a kidney!”
Yes.
Seeing a family member needing blood and not having enough made me realize what a mitzvah and how important it is for e/o to di. I and many others in my family have not common blood types so in case of nessecity there is not normally enough in a general blood bank.
there is a big difference btwn giving to magen dovid edom and the american red cross which can and should be taken into consideration.
Also, it is just like a blood test. I was nervous before my first blood test as a kid and after that it was nothing.
The only reason I don’t give more often is because my health hasn’t allowed me too because of certain medications i am taking.
otherwise whenever i can i think ppl should make it a habbit to give whenever possible.
platelets is not more painful just a little more time and is no different to me as far as yes/no.
a kidney i would probably give if it was medically ok’d and it was a frum person.
Yes, I give blood…..
d a, nothing has ever gone wrong for me. My wife sometimes doesn’t have enough iron and is deferred until she does. And since she has tiny veins sometimes they have to poke a little to find them, but nothing serious.
I started when I was 17. Gave religiously. Then someone in Yeshiva put me on his donor list. I forget whether it was for Chai Lifeline or Bikur CHolim…When someone needed blood he would send 2 or 3 guys to which ever hospital it was (usually NYU, sometimes Mt. Sinai) and we gave for a specific CHoleh. Once I got married and started working I “slacked off” a bit because of my schedule. I have gone to some local blood drives. Then they arranged a blood drive at work (for NY Blood Center). I asked my Rov if I can give. He said it was OK. I think it’s a Kiddush Hashem for people out on Long Island to see a frumme yid giving blood. I have given platelets for specific cancer patients (through a Chai Lifeline “agent”). My only issue is that it is time consuming (1.5 – 2 hours vs. 20 – 30 min. for whole blood).
;
On my 18th birthday, I went to donate blood to Bikur Cholim, and blacked out in middle. Haven’t given again since then and its been quite a while.. maybe I’ll try again one day.
On my 18th birthday, I went to donate blood to Bikur Cholim, and blacked out in middle.
Don’t let that stop you. I passed out my first time, but I’ve given many times since then without problem.
The Wolf
Anuran, a variation on your joke:
A man finds a grimy jar on the street, and rubs it with his sleeve. A genie pops out of the bottle and exclaims, “Thank you for releasing me! I will now grant you three wishes for anything you desire!”
“Anything?” the mans asks.
“Anything,” the genie responds, “But you should know that whatever you wish for and receive, your shvigger will get twice as much.”
The man rubs his chin and thinks. “I want a million dollars.”
Poof! A briefcase with one million dollars appears at his feet. At the same time, his cell-phone rings. On the other end of the line is his wife, who breathlessly exlaims, “Yankie, Ima just won a two million dollar raffle!”
The man wrinkles his nose and thinks again, determined to outsmart both the genie and his burdensome mother-in-law. Suddenly he smiles and says, “I would like a new Buick.”
Bling! A shiny new Park Avenue appears at the curb. Momentarily, his phone rings again. “Yankie, Ima just inhereted Uncle Abie’s brand new Cadillac!”
Now the man is peturbed. He thinks, and thinks, and thinks – quantitatively and qualitatively, his shvigger has beaten him twice. Suddenly an evil glint appears in his eye. He turns slowly toward the genie and asks, “So, I’ve got one more left?”
The genie says, “Yes.”
“And whatever I wish for, my mother-in-law gets twice as much?”
The genie says, “Yes.”
“Well, in that case,” says the man, “I would like you to frighten me half-to-death.”
I donated blood a few times and almost fainted once. I almost fainted in middle of plasma/platelets. One thing to consider is to eat very well a few days before, and not just pasta, you need meat or other sources of iron. Also, if you are prone to not feeling well, ask them right away to raise your legs.
Actually it takes weeks to reestablish your red blood cells. Taking iron a few days before won’t help. Carbs won’t either. The fainting or light-headedness is due to the relatively rapid lowering of the blood volume (some have a psychological reaction as well). Make sure you are well hydrated when you go in there. Follow their instructions afterwards (like getting up slowly).
The Blood Center says it takes 1-2 months to replace the blood cells.
The blood volume (liquid) is replaced in 1-2 days.
The feeling is that if you give blood, and then a few weeks later someone in the community needs blood, you won’t be able to donate.
That’s odd. The only time I could possibly see that being a problem is in one of the following two scenarios:
1. All potential donors give blood at the same time (which is unlikely).
2. If the potential donor has a particularly rare blood type.
But for someone like me who has “gutter blood,” there are always plenty of other people with my blood type available for donating.
In addition, there are times (especially WRT emergencies) when the doctors won’t have time to wait for donors — they need to have the blood on hand right away.
The Wolf
When would warts be an emergency?
When would warts be an emergency?
If you’re a frog and are attracting amorous toads
I LOVE giving blood! I gave in December when I found out I was old enough (at 16– no you dont need to be 18, I just need a parents note…)
It was so amazing! That was the first time… the second time wasnt so pleasent.
For one, I am not the type to get freaked out by needles, or pass out. I was just annoyed because they gave me such hock about having a form (even though i gave before and had a donor’s card!) so i waited two hours to give (they were also majorly understaffed and prepared) and didnt drink for two hours before so basically, i gave 3/4 of a pint, but they arent going to use the blood for anything because I didnt give enough… sigh, will try again in tw months, but i reeeeeeeally love giving blood. And Baruch Hashem, needles dont freak me out, though this time, it was a tad painful when the needle went in.. oh well..
EDITED
I gave blood for the first time 2 weeks ago. When we were eating afterward, I told everyone that dam dagim and dam adam are both assur because of maris ayin. Now, fish blood is allowed if you put scales near it to show that it is fish blood. So I assume that human blood would be permitted if you put teeth and hair near it.
I know this is slightly off topic, but I thought it was important.
Boruch Hashem, I’ve been giving a pint of blood, via Bikor Cholim, every eight weeks for the past fifteen years. People used to pay to let their blood, now you can refreash your blood for free and help others at the same time.
I actually just donated blood for the first time a month ago… but more interestingly I was just contacted on Friday of Chol Hamoed with the news that I am a match for a 56-year-old woman with leukemia for bone marrow. I’ve noticed that this is not as rare as one would have expected in the Jewish commmunity (I know 3 other people who were discovered to be matches and ended up donating). They are going to call me back on Wednesday to work out the details, so I was wondering if anyone else has donated and knows what kind of issues I should be aware of/questions to ask.
well, I got lox and bagels and orange juice for my blood (and a stress ball). I can only imagine what refreshments you get for marrow or a kidney! go for it!
i never understood why someone wouldn’t donate blood. i thought it doesnt hurt…now reading these storis, i understand a little more…but i’m still gonna give Bli neder when i turn sixteen!!!!!
n addition, there are times (especially WRT emergencies) when the doctors won’t have time to wait for donors — they need to have the blood on hand right away.
When would warts be an emergency?
Sorry… I wasn’t clear. WRT is an acronym. It stands for “with regard to.”
The Wolf
but i’m still gonna give Bli neder when i turn sixteen!!!!!
Good for you. My sixteen year old has already given twice.
Just remember that in New York, you need parental permission to donate at sixteen. (You can donate without parental permission at seventeen.)
The Wolf
I tried to donate blood when I was old enough, but I found out that the minimum weight requirement isn’t just a suggestion. The nurse told me to get on a scale & said, “You need the blood more than we do.”
However, when I had my babies I donated the cord blood, as there is no minumum weight requirement for that.
whats minimum weight…though im sure i’m good. 🙂 🙂 🙂
for adults(or beyond heights) -110
teens
boys- 4’10-120
4’11 115
girls-
4’10 – 146
4’11 141
5′ 138
5’1 133
5’2 129
5’3 124
5’4 118
5’5 = 115
“ny blood center”
I told everyone that dam dagim and dam adam are both assur because of maris ayin. Now, fish blood is allowed if you put scales near it to show that it is fish blood. So I assume that human blood would be permitted if you put teeth and hair near it.
Why aren’t you allowed to eat the blood on a wounded finger? Thers a nail right there.
Yes, I donate blood through the American Red Cross. I’ve been doing it 4 times each year for 45 years. In fact I chair a blood drove in our CT town 4 times each year.
In 2003 I needed blood during surgery. Early this month Mrs. CTLawyer needed 4 units during her lengthy hospital stay.
Blood in CT is free. All collections are handled by the ARC. Patients are only billed for the expense of administering the blood by the hospital or doctor, not the blood itself.
As an FYI> effective late May, 2016 the minimum Iron level for donating males was raised to 13 from 12.5. This will probably cause most males to only be able to donate 3 times per year not 4. There is an acute shortage of blood in the US this summer brought on by travel restrictions caused by the Zika virus.
How does people not travelling affect blood supplies?
There’s a famous story where a kid who was not old enough went to donate blood and lied that he was old enough, and then lied again that he weighed enough, and then lied again that his iron level was high enough, and then lied again that his blood pressure was correct enough, and he gave the blood, and it saved someone’s life.
So you see there’s hashgacha pratis.
Popa –
So I guess the moral of the story is if you lie 4 times while giving blood it’s a segulah to save a life.
Popa…
the travel; restrictions are not restricting travel. The travel restrictions prohibit donations of blood by those who traveled to the Carribbean within 30 days.
I just got a call about donating platelets with the New York blood center, I scheduled it for this Tuesday
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