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3 Gallon Donor
Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:58 pm
by TheCalvinator24
With today's donation of Double Red Blood Cells, I hit the three gallon lifetime donation mark. I've been giving regularly since January 2004.
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:06 am
by MarleysGh0st
Congratulations, Cal, and thank you!
Re: 3 Gallon Donor
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:08 am
by earendel
TheCalvinator24 wrote:With today's donation of Double Red Blood Cells, I hit the three gallon lifetime donation mark. I've been giving regularly since January 2004.
Good for you, Cal. I started donating blood in seminary back in the late 70s, but had to stop because it became increasingly difficult for the phlebotomist to find a good vein (mine have an unfortunate tendency to roll and lie deep). My hat's off to anyone who donates blood regularly.
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:12 am
by peacock2121
Thank you.
Re: 3 Gallon Donor
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:29 am
by BackInTex
TheCalvinator24 wrote:With today's donation of Double Red Blood Cells, I hit the three gallon lifetime donation mark. I've been giving regularly since January 2004.
Congrats, and thanks.
I haven't given much lately, too busy. I need to remember to do it next week while I am taking a few days off.
Re: 3 Gallon Donor
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:39 am
by PlacentiaSoccerMom
TheCalvinator24 wrote:With today's donation of Double Red Blood Cells, I hit the three gallon lifetime donation mark. I've been giving regularly since January 2004.
Thank you.
I am too chicken to give blood, because I hate the needles.
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:31 am
by ne1410s
Blood donors are special people. Thanks, Cal.
Re: 3 Gallon Donor
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:32 pm
by littlebeast13
PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:TheCalvinator24 wrote:With today's donation of Double Red Blood Cells, I hit the three gallon lifetime donation mark. I've been giving regularly since January 2004.
Thank you.
I am too chicken to give blood, because I hate the needles.
I am the same way, though my problem is the blood itself.
The worst part of when I had my kidney stone 4 years ago was all the IV's and blood draws I wound up getting over such a short time. I have to look away until all the dirty work's done....
lb13
Re: 3 Gallon Donor
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:54 pm
by Bob Juch
earendel wrote:TheCalvinator24 wrote:With today's donation of Double Red Blood Cells, I hit the three gallon lifetime donation mark. I've been giving regularly since January 2004.
Good for you, Cal. I started donating blood in seminary back in the late 70s, but had to stop because it became increasingly difficult for the phlebotomist to find a good vein (mine have an unfortunate tendency to roll and lie deep). My hat's off to anyone who donates blood regularly.
I have the same problem. They had to use my hand instead of my arm today when I had a CT scan.
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:39 pm
by macrae1234
The treatment for my Haemochromatosis is monthly phlebotomies, after 10 years it is becoming increasing difficult to find a good vein in either arm. The sad part is that while in all other aspects my blood is fine they still won't use it. Doing the math 100+ pints or 12 gallons down the biohazard drain.
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:45 pm
by Shade
I usually faint when blood is taken, I had to have monthly blood tests because of a medication I was taking and unless I layed down while they were doing it I'd faint. And one time I did lay down and felt fine after ward but the I had to run because I was late for school and then in first period Forensics class I fainted, it was humilating and they insited on taking me to the hospital. That day was fun!
Re: 3 Gallon Donor
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:16 pm
by ladysoleil
TheCalvinator24 wrote:With today's donation of Double Red Blood Cells, I hit the three gallon lifetime donation mark. I've been giving regularly since January 2004.
Congrats! That's awesome.
I really should try again. I have lousy veins, but type O blood, so I should probably just suck it up and get stabbed a few times for the cause.
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:42 pm
by Bob Juch
macrae1234 wrote:The treatment for my Haemochromatosis is monthly phlebotomies, after 10 years it is becoming increasing difficult to find a good vein in either arm. The sad part is that while in all other aspects my blood is fine they still won't use it. Doing the math 100+ pints or 12 gallons down the biohazard drain.
Maybe you should adopt a family of leeches?

Re: 3 Gallon Donor
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:18 pm
by themanintheseersuckersuit
TheCalvinator24 wrote:With today's donation of Double Red Blood Cells, I hit the three gallon lifetime donation mark. I've been giving regularly since January 2004.
That's 3/4 of a BUCKET OF BLOOD.
Re: 3 Gallon Donor
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:24 pm
by themanintheseersuckersuit
PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
I am too chicken to give blood, because I hate the needles.
The last woman woman who told me that was a Local TV reporter who had her ears pierced 7 times each.
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:06 pm
by macrae1234
Oh you've met my ex-brother-in-law
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:28 pm
by Im_Ace
People can give blood (single pints, not double red cells) every 56 days. You must be on that schedule to have given so much in such a short period of time.
I'm working on my 17th gallon. Started when I turned 18, at college.
Keep up the good work.
I would highly recommend you consider double red cells. When my fil was in the later stages of his multiple myeloma, he was transfused with red cells a few times. It got me to do the red cell thing. Takes a little longer. Sort of neat when they put the remnants back in you. It's a bit on the chilly side.
And yes, giving double red cells prevents you from donating again for 112 days. But it's worth it. WELL worth it.
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:47 am
by TheCalvinator24
Im_Ace wrote:People can give blood (single pints, not double red cells) every 56 days. You must be on that schedule to have given so much in such a short period of time.
I'm working on my 17th gallon. Started when I turned 18, at college.
Keep up the good work.
I would highly recommend you consider double red cells. When my fil was in the later stages of his multiple myeloma, he was transfused with red cells a few times. It got me to do the red cell thing. Takes a little longer. Sort of neat when they put the remnants back in you. It's a bit on the chilly side.
And yes, giving double red cells prevents you from donating again for 112 days. But it's worth it. WELL worth it.
I'm O+. They asked me to do Double Reds starting on my 3rd trip in 2004. I had given in January at a work blood drive. I took a few months off before beginning my regular routine in July of that year. Starting in November 2004, I've been doing Double Reds. For some reason, my eligible date is always a few days past the normal 16 weeks. I think it is related to the actual volume they take. It "supposed" to be 500ml, but it's usually between 502 & 507. When they go over, it can affect when they'll declare me eligible.
It was my blood donor routine that made me wait so long to get my tattoo. Until this year, the rules required a 12 month deferral for a tattoo. Now, as long as the tat was done at a licensed Texas shop, there is no deferral.
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:08 am
by SportsFan68
Well done! They love us O pluses.
I've been donating since I was a kid and was thrilled when I got my 10-gallon plaque. I think SuitDude has his too. Kudos to Ace on 16 going on 17!!!
I donated six times a year back then and am trying to get back to that again. I've had several one-year deferrals for malaria risk which have set my pace way back. I loved Costa Rica, South Africa, and the Yucatan Peninsula, and apparently mosquitos love 'em too.
I'm not eligible to give double reds -- the requirement here is that women have to be at least 5'5" tall, and I'm 5'4"
My brother's in the same boat as Shade. After he lost his spleen, he started fainting when he donated. So they gently suggested he should stop coming in.
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 8:41 am
by christie1111
When I donated last week, I gave the first pint on my way to the 4th gallon. So we are only 1 pint apart.
I used to be very afraid of needles but decided to start donating before getting pregnant so I could get used to it.
Husband1111 was into double digit gallons until they changed the rules about being in England. Now he can't donate at all.
Congratulations!