OT: Blood shortage

Re: OT:  Blood shortage

John K Jordan

Do you happen know if they will take you if you currently have breathing problems due to asthma? I could call Monday and ask.

I have O-neg so I'd like to donate.

Website

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

Your local blood bank's website will no doubt have details on medical bases for not donating, as well as a list of medications that, if you take them, bar you from donating.

I have asthma, but only very mildly so; they haven't flinched when it comes up.

I donate, not as regularly as I'd like; I finally, last December, allowed them to schedule the next donation as I left, and it worked. I'm due to donate in mid-April again, although, since my county is turning into a coronavirus hot spot, we're on shelter-in-place status, and my bride is a high risk, if she gets the virus. So, before I go over, I'll be calling them to discuss how they're sanitizing the donation environment. I'd hate not to donate, but I'd hate endangering my sweetie even more.

Re: Website

John K Jordan

>>>So, before I go over, I'll be calling them to discuss how they're sanitizing the donation environment.

I'm also at high risk with a history of lung infections so I had the same concerns. What concerns me about the mobile units is in the past everyone who came in the door sat together in one area while waiting for the interview. My wife said the regional blood center she visited had space for separation. The news claimed they were all fastidious concerning sanitation.

Re: Website

TomD

Up here in Canada, they have the same appeals out. I have desirably blood, but have never made it past screening. They are tough up here and keep inventing new reasons to deny one.

Does anyone know whether donating is an issue if you are at risk relative to the the Corona virus? Difficult to google as there are tons of articles being produced. In general, though, you are not supposed to donate if you have the same kinds of risk factors that exist for corona virus. So for now I am going to assume that there could be some kind of crossover.

Wish I Could

David Yoho

I'm not able to donate due to a situation that came up many years ago.

Back when I was working the local blood service would come to our plant for a day to receive donations. I had just gotten to the point where I had received my "gallon" pin. This was when they started screening for HIV and I was notified the test on my last donation came back indeterminate, which means neither positive or negative. Due to federal law, I was not allowed to donate ever again no matter what.

Went to a specialist for more testing but the tests kept coming back the same. I was offered no hard reason why but told not to worry and unless symptoms arose just forget about it. Well, fast forward to today and I'm still here. No HIV and healthy as a horse (according to my doctor) but I can never give blood again. What a bummer.

Re: OT:  Blood shortage

Tom Norton

We made our appointments and will give this Thursday.

Re: OT:  Blood shortage

Jason Roehl in Lafayette, IN

I gave double-red cells a few weeks ago, so I can't give for about 3 more months. I definitely give more since I started working for the county because they bring in a bloodmobile once in a while, so I only have to walk across the street to give, but I still don't give anywhere near as often as I could. I'm up to averaging 1-2x per year versus my old average of once about every other year.

Jason

Re: OT:  Blood shortage

John McGaw

I donate four times yearly and they called me in early at the beginning of the month claiming a severe shortage then. I used to give six times a year but when I turned 65 I cut back. The venous puncture sites of both arms are now solid knots of scar tissue. I'm O-Positive so I'm not quite a universal donor but I'm also what they call "special antibodies" so that my blood it especially needed for infants and children (I don't understand fully but that is what they tell me). Having given so recently I'm off the books for at least six more weeks.

I only donate at the central location in Knoxville and they always have been fastidious about sanitation and they say that they have redoubled their efforts, wiping down and sanitizing everything constantly.

Re: OT:  Blood shortage

John K Jordan

>>>I only donate at the central location in Knoxville and they always have been fastidious about sanitation and they say that they have redoubled their efforts, wiping down and sanitizing everything constantly.

Is that the one on Ailor avenue? I just called and found out they are open Sun from 1-4.

JKJ

Re: OT:  Blood shortage *LINK*

John McGaw

Sorry to get back so late. Yes, Ailor is the closest one to you, the next being in Farragut.

1601 Ailor Avenue

Knoxville, TN 37921

(865) 524-3074


Medic Blood Donation Centers

Will they be having regular drives?

JL

I donate on a regular basis - usually every 2 months.

I wonder if they will be having regular drives.

Can't

Kevin French

I stationed in Germany '80-83

I MIGHT have Mad Cow Disease