So, I just gave blood today...

[salgai]

Hi,

I gave blood about 5 times or so, and once I passed out while giving. The problem was that I hadn't eaten and drunk very much that day, so my body was a bit weak. But they got good kind-of deck-chairs there, in which they can turn you head-down-feet-up in just a second, and after a coke (you always get a coke and some chocolate after donating) I was back on my feet again.

Now it's been 5 years or so since I was the last time.
One reason is that I moved from the country to a town in the meantime - and while on the country there's the possibility to donate at about 6 dates a year, usually until 8 or 9 pm, in town there's one possibility every week - but just on wednesdays 'till 7 pm , which makes it virtually impossible for me to get there on time.
The other reason is the gay sex thing - not that I would have to lie about that issue yet to get accepted, but it's more a question of solidarity for me.
The official reason why gays aren't accepted here is that there is a small remaining risk for wrong test results, even with up-to-date PCR-tests. And because men who have sex with men have a greater risk of infection, and even using a condom doesn't give 100% security, they deny blood given by sexual active gays.
But of course, a guy who goes to a brothel on a daily basis and fucks 7 different women each week is accepted, as long as he uses condoms (a "one-time HIV-risky behavior" is a reason for 4 months exclusion - but I'm not sure if this only means having hetero-sex with a stranger without using a condom).

cu,
salgai

 

[thermodynamics]

...and honestly, it was one of the scariest experiences of my life.

The Red Cross was having a drive across the street from my work, so I went over during my lunch with a girl I work with. I really don't like needles or blood, but I figured I'd get over it for a good cause. She kept telling me that it was really simple, that she had given blood many times, and nothing had ever gone wrong with her.

They gave me the preliminary tests: checked my blood pressure, great, checked my iron levels which they were surprised to find were pretty high considering I don't eat meat. I lie down, they prep my arm, and they start drawing blood. Everything's good for a while as the woman tried to make small talk, presumably to distract me from my leaking bodily fluid. It was going just fine until my left arm started to tingle. I let them know, and they told me it was because they had to much pressure on my arm. They took off the blood pressure monitor, but as soon as they did I started to feel incredibly nauseated and lightheaded. My left arm went completely numb, and my right arm followed soon after. Next my stomach started to tingle and I lost the feeling in my legs. Then I saw my skin go pale white, and my hands and fingers started to cramp together to the point where I couldn't pull my fingers apart to hold the can of juice they were trying to get me to drink.

With the needle out and a couple cans of orange and cranberry juice later, my body started to calm down a bit. I was terrified and shaking throughout the entire ordeal, but they did manage to get the minimum amount of blood out of me, so it wasn't completely pointless. At this point I'm wondering if my body reacted that way due to them removing the blood pressure monitor, or perhaps I was too thin to give blood. Regardless and suffice it to say, I will never ever give blood again.

My first [and only] time went the same way. I was thinner than I am now. It felt awful. I haven't gotten a great explanation of why it happened. Maybe someday I'll get the courage to try it again.

 

[G-Lexington]

Let's repeat this part in case you missed it.

If you're not a virgin - if you've had sex with a man - the US Red Cross will not use your blood.

In short, there's no reason to donate. Once I had sex with a guy, I simply stopped donating. Not as a one-man boycott, but because it's pointless. Any blood I'd donate now would not "save a life". It would simply be destroyed.

Lex

 

[davy]

...They did not ask me if I was gay, but the computer questionnaire did ask me if I had sex with a man.

if you answered yes to that question, you wasted your time and well being.

they mark your donated blood as a biohazard and burn it later on.

 

[shainski]

I have now donated many hundreds of pints of blood. It is pretty easy, and i hardly feel anything, but...

The first time i donated blood - 27 years ago was a company blood drive. I hadn't eaten anything that day. I went around 11 am -

The actually donation was a bit painful, but not too bad. However, the instant they removed the needle, i passed out. Next thing i knew there were a bunch of people saying something to me to wake me up.

After making me sit and something with a lot of sugar, and drink juice or something, i felt a little better. They told me to drink a lot of sugary fluids that day. As i was taking the elevator back to my desk, i started feeling dizzy and faint again. I was going to stop by the vending machines, but i realized that i left my change in my desk.

I headed to my desk but honestly thought i was going to pass out. And on the way, my boss and another superior were talking and called me into the office. Honestly, i thought i was going to drop right there. I blurted out something quite irreverently: "Whatever it is, just tell me quickly."

But they could tell that i was very pale. After a couple of cokes (which was my soda choice in those days), i felt okay - not great.

After that, i always ate a good meal before donating. I think the first time you lose a lot of blood, your body is in shock. But after a while, your body adapts to the blood loss. I was told by professionals since then that because i am a regular blood donor, if i ever do lose blood in some incident, my body will better be able to handle it.

So, while this time was a horrible incident. After a period of time, please consider another donation. Donating is now probably the easiest thing i can do to help other people. That said - we all have our own ways to help other people - and donating blood is not for everyone.

 

[JonHCA]

if you answered yes to that question, you wasted your time and well being.

they mark your donated blood as a biohazard and burn it later on.

I have not had sex.

 

[G-Lexington]

Then good for you (for donating, not for not having sex). And keep it up.

Lex

 

[GamerBear]

I really don't know, I believe it's just one of their policies..

Yeah most likely, when I was going to College I walked past by a blood drive tent and they tried to get my attention, I walked over there. They asked me if I was gay I said yeah and they said "Ok thanks have a good day" Should of ignored the bitch and kept walking.

 

[Aaron]

I went to seminar with Blood Services Canada and there was a lot of discussion about the MSM policy. My understanding is that HIV antibody tests can produce false-negatives immediately after infection, and that it can take three to six weeks for the test to be accurate. The shelf life of whole blood is 35 days. BSC's stated position is that due to that overlap, there is no effective way to test for HIV, and therefore they must screen out "high risk groups". I'm no expert and don't have the data to back that up, so I'm making no assertions about the credibility of that position. (And yeah, it pisses me off a bit.)

During the seminar, I was impressed with their public relations folks. They had a very open exchange with me in front of the whole seminar about how the gay community perceives the ban, regardless of any scientific basis for it. I tried to make the point that a community that deals with structural discrimination on an ongoing basis will perceive prejudice regardless of BSC's efforts to explain themselves; impact, not intent.

I will not lie to donate for transfusion. If they don't want it, then they won't get it. But let's be fair; (in Canada at least) the policy singles out men who have had sex with men - not gay men. My straight friend in Vancouver who admits to one drunk fuck back in college, who is now married with children and hasn't been with a man since, is affected by this policy, too.

 

[Georgiadude]

this topic has come up several times here on jub and I replied to those threads. I know new people join all the time so I will gladly try to help clear a few things up. Before I get started I'd like to say "don't kill the messenger." I'm not defending any policy or organization. I'm simply explaining the what happens and why. I worked at a blood bank for almost 2 years so I know a lot about it.

All blood banks and plasma centers fall under the FDA (food and drug administration). Blood and it's different components are considered a "drug" and must be processed in very specific ways. The rules the FDA issues must be followed to the letter. Any variation and the blood bank will be fined, closed or both.

Being gay is not an automatic deferral. Having had sex with a man is. That is why you were allowed to donate. Had you answered "yes" to the question "have you had sex with another male?" They wouldn't have even taken your blood. They would have told you that you were "deferred." I know it's splitting hairs and isn't right but the FDA views gay sex as "high risk" and will not allow sexually active gay men to donate. It doesn't matter what political party is in office. The rules come from the FDA. The Red Cross MUST follow what the FDA says. When I worked for the blood bank we "deferred" people all the time. Not only for this issue but for travel to areas of the world where malaria is present. There are many, many reasons people can be deferred. You would think with the supply being short they would re look at things and change their policies to match today's technology but that's the government. Never up to date on anything.

There is a minimum weight limit as well. What you experienced is referred to as a "reaction". Your body reacted to the loss of blood as if you had suffered an injury and were losing blood. It starts shutting down the blood supply to the extremities and other "non vital" organs to keep the blood your heart, lungs and brain are going to need to keep you alive. Most "reactions" are shot lived and people recover pretty quickly. They have you drink lots of fluids as your body replaces the plasma (fluid part of the blood) pretty fast. People of all sizes had reactions. Of those that had reactions, most of them it was their first donation. After that things usually went just fine.

Hope that helps clear some things up. Again. Please don't pm me or flame me. I'm not defending the FDA or it's policies. I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can.

Steven

 

[Críostóir]

If they knew you were gay, they probably won't have taken blood form you.

Did they ask you if you were gay?

Sadly, after becoming partnered briefly in Alaska, I immediately disqualified myself from giving again until the Red Cross changes their rules about men who have had sex with other men.

I feel disrespected as a citizen now, and disallowed to be charitable in that life-giving manner.

I really don't know, I believe it's just one of their policies..

Don't blame the Red Cross. It's the CDC's rule, and they don't dare to change it because of the Republicans, who want to make sure gay people can't do anything socially productive like get married or give blood. It's entirely political.

 

[Georgiadude]

Don't blame the Red Cross. It's the CDC's rule, and they don't dare to change it because of the Republicans, who want to make sure gay people can't do anything socially productive like get married or give blood. It's entirely political.

Sorry but I have to disagree. It's the FDA and the policy has been in effect since the 80's. Bill Clinton's admin and our current leaders have turned a blind eye to it. BOTH parties have refused to change the rules. I'm not defending the Republicans. I'm saying neither group has the guts to take on the topic and actually change the archaic rules/regulations.

Steven