I used to, but since I have contracted Long Covid, I’ve stopped, as both would sap my energy too much.

But in the past I have donated about 20-25 times. (once every 3-4 or so months)

How I felt afterwards depended a little bit on the nurse administering the needle, some are really careful and it’s a painfree experience, others are a little less careful and then it can hurt like a motherfucker. (but for first timers they’re always extra careful is my experience)
And for me, I just get a bit tired afterwards. Never really gotten woozy, but do take your time to recover in the waiting area after donating, and ask for something to drink (I recommend tea or fruit juice)

But it’s also very important to drink and eat enough during the day before donating.

And the meme in The Netherlands is that you do it for the “pink cookie”, which is a small cake-like cookie with pink icing on top. We don’t get any financial benefits (other than reimbursement for any parking costs at the hospital)

Unfortunately I was rejected as a donor, the nurse had too much trouble hitting a vein (mine are difficult to spot and tend to roll when sticking a needle in them) for drawing blood for the pre-donation bloodwork. So that meant an automatic rejection as they prefer not turning the donors into living pincushions. ☹️

I’m so tired of getting my blood taken for work at the doctor so I don’t know if I will consider donating

O+ over here so I know I am able to help a lot of people. When I donate, I do a “power red” which gives more than a standard pull. Using the American red cross app makes it a bit more fun since I collect badges and can track all my visits. Also, since I read it can reduce plastic in your system, I see that as a double win.

As someone who has received a blood transfusion, thank you random stranger whose blood is now inside me!

I want to “give back” somehow, but I obviously can’t donate blood (yet?).

Just to add to the conversation I’m in school to be a med tech and transfusion is one of the proficiencies! Its pretty cool how it works, basically after the donation we spin it down into packed red cells and plasma. Plasma gets pooled and treated and can be fractionated out into specific coagulation products or used as a suspension for platelets. Packed red cells are filtered (leukocyte reduced), sometimes treated or irradiated and have SAGM added (saline, adenine, glucose, mannitol) to stabilize the cells for storage.

In the lab we test and crossmatch to make sure everything is compatible before giving the ok! Sometimes it is just ABO and Rh grouping but there are a bunch of other antigens on red cells that recipients can develop antibodies to with repeat transfusion so sometimes we need to identify if that antibody is present and match with units that don’t have it so it won’t react.

There are also a bunch of complications with testing like nonspecific antibodies, cold reacting antibodies, subgroups of antigens, Its really interesting!

I recently found out the blood bank has an office near my favourite bar. So I’m going to give blood before a few beers and see how I go. Should be a cheap night.

I would but they don’t want it.

Yes. I used to donate the maximum amount of 4 times a year, but due to my inability to reasonably eat the required iron supplements, I’m now only allowed to donate once a year.

I do it for a mix of reasons - it makes me feel good about myself, I get a gift and a little bit of food, and I’ve told myself that it’s probably not a bad thing to do health-wise, although the last one is completely unfounded.

After having donated, I feel noticeably weaker when trying to do things like bike or walk fast. Usually nothing major, though.

I would, but I can’t. I am medicated for my ADHD and depression. Both disqualify me in that regard

I donated three times. The first was through a campaign at my workplace. Absolutely nothing worth noting happened. The second was through a campaign at my university. I fainted and my blood pressure went way down. The third time, a friend needed transfusion, so, the hospital asks for friends and family to replenish it. Since I fainted the second time, they took less blood. I was still a little dizzy but ok.

I’ve tried three times and passed out twice. I pass out with simple blood draws, so they don’t like me at the Red Cross.

Started last year and donated twice so far. The first time I got dizzy, so I did a half bag the next time and felt better. Felt better the second time, even after a long day at work.

No specific reason other than feeling good about yourself and reap any health benefit to it, if at all. Surely it must be good somehow to stimulate blood creation ? I’m happy to do it, I feel a better person for it.

You are weak the day and the next day, so better not plan any long hike or strenuous activities. But it’s okay for another long day in office.

Financial incentive plus I have a blood group that’s beneficial to patients

Once around every 2ish to 3 months - essentially however often I’m allowed to

Usually good. Don’t feel dizzy or sick afterwards since I eat and drink well before donating.

I do donate plasma quite regularly too - around once a week - but have not four a couple months now since I got a new tattoo in November. For similar reasons as with blood donations

If you can you should. If you’re healthy giving a pint of blood is not going to be much of a bother. Eat a good meal before hand and then have some of the snacks provided afterwards. Even if your blood isn’t suitable for transfusion it can be used for research.

I always felt good after I donated.