CQ
October 8, 2011 / 13:19

reprinted from CQ's .25 blog
Dried-up Blood (Sep 5th, 2006)

_About a week ago, I received a message call regarding an upcoming local blood donation event. While I have given before [ 2004/05 supportive entries ], I stopped participating as of last Spring.
_It has turned into becoming a hassle for me to give blood. The last time, I spent a full 70 minutes before finally "rolling my sleeve up". Yet, there were only about half a dozen persons in front of me and I had a pre-booked appointment time.
_After the initial finger prick test sample, I waited to be confidentially questioned by a nurse or assistant(?). There were five privacy screens set-up. Someone had also tacked up a sheet of paper indicating a different interviewer's name for each - yet throughout this weekday evening event I only saw two such nurses for this portion of the procedure.
_Once I made it to the table bed area, I then had to deal with a changed physical apparatus (from 2005). Before then, I used to freely let my unelevated arm simply lie down next to my body. Now, I must raise my arm above my overall body position and onto an "arm-rest" bar. My actual needle time had definitely slowed down and my same arm's elevated hand will then feel slightly 'sprinklely' as well during this process.
_Plus there is a small loose vinyl pillow insistently placed at my already slope supported head. So whenever I slightly shift, the pillow pushes down into the back of my neck. The last couple of times or so, I had to almost argue NOT to place this pillow jammed behind my discomforted head and neck. I will note here that I do have occasional upper back/neck flare-up troubles.
_I was once regularly attending, and it's a shame, but [as it is] there's no way that I'll ever donate blood again.

Mike: Hey, I used to proudly blog in support of CBS. They still need to address my multiple concerns as reprinted above.

Cheryl
October 8, 2011 / 13:33

I know this is an unselfish thing to do, but I can't. I have low iron stores. I was told that I can't.

elvis
October 8, 2011 / 17:10

CQ's arm and head were uncomfortable when he/she donated last in 2006. Seems a good reason to boycott donating again and saving lives. Smooth move.

I'm a veteran of 25 donations yet cannot donate anymore. I'd gladly take your spot if I could, even with a 70 minute wait. I hope someone else does.

CQ
October 9, 2011 / 08:31

Hey. I'm doing CBS in Toronto the favour! I used to give blood. (And I used to regularly blog in support, too.) It used to be entirely painless and quick and professional! It wasn't just a one time visit that made me quit. It got steadily worse each time out for me.

If Cdn Blood Services (Toronto) can reply to the effect that:
Yes, they corrected their faulty and altered procedures (as noted).
Yes, they had fired a top executive or two for it.
... Then, hey, I will re-consider signing up again.

Joe Jackson
October 9, 2011 / 08:52

I have been donating on a regular basis for 48 years. Not a big deal, but an easy way to perform a valuable service.

(P.S. Back in the 60s you would even get a shot of brandy to go with your coffee after donating!)

Douglas
October 9, 2011 / 10:36

I gave my donation on Thursday in Ajax. The clinic was rather quiet, the whole process quick. I was in and out in about 45 minutes. Next year, I will pass the 100 donations mark. My goal is to pass my father, who managed 137 donations before he could no longer donate.

CBS Toronto's importing blood issues are the result of a combination of several factors, a major one being Toronto itself - the "too busy" people, donation venue availability, demographics. This is not a shot at Toronto - the situation is similar in most larger U.S. cities.

I am happy to be able to donate my blood for someone who needs it. I have been fortunate enough to never need blood myself. If I ever do, I hope that people have been able to take a bit of time to donate their blood for the lives of others.

Tom
October 9, 2011 / 12:37

Sorry, Mike. The powers that be have disqualified me and my partner, at least if we answer the screening questions honestly. While I'd like to think that our sexual behaviours have been exceedingly safe, far safer than lots of straight people, apparently they're not confident enough in the medical tests to prevent the next blood scandal.

It's not fair, because one day I may well need blood. But the only way for me to pay it forward would be to lie, and I'm not doing that.