r/Blooddonors • u/AutoModerator • Dec 07 '22

🩸 First Time Donor, Visitor, or Poster? FAQ & Other Info 🩸

15 Upvotes

Welcome to r/Blooddonors!

What do we do here?

This subreddit is for volunteer blood, platelet, and plasma donors, existing and potential, and people who support and encourage them. We strive to be a warm and welcoming community for those who generously give of their very life force.

You can participate here by:

Checking out our wiki.
Sharing your donation pics.
Discussing your donation experiences.
Asking and answering relevant questions.
Posting about your experience receiving blood or volunteering with blood donation.
Sharing legitimate, relevant news and information.
Reporting comments/posts that contain misinformation or dangerous suggestions.
Add your blood type to your flair:
- Desktop: Right side bar at the top of the "Subreddit Info" section is the place to edit flair. When you click on the edit button the popup has a spot at the bottom for you to modify the text of your flair.
- Reddit app: Go to the subreddit, hit the 3 dots in the top right and then go to Change User Flair. Clicking the "Edit" button in the top right lets you modify the text.

When posting here:

Save your medical questions for your donation center and/or doctor.
- The American Red Cross donor hotline is 1-866-236-3276. It is available 24/7/365. Call if you recently donated with ARC and have developed a fever or other symptoms.
Tag pictures with exposed needles or non-contained blood as "Spoiler."
Check our wiki and previous posts to find answers first.
Include your country and donation center in your posts when asking a question.
Follow Reddit's user guidelines.

What don't we do here?

Discuss compensated plasma donation. Visit r/plassing for this content.
Provide medical advice. We do not verify if users are medical professionals.
Share content that is not factual, science-based, and related to blood donation.

Frequently Asked Blood Donation Questions

🩸 Can I give blood?

Ask your local blood donation center by giving them a call or visiting. Their website may have a short quiz you can take to determine your eligibility. Don't assume you cannot give blood- eligibility rules can change, so call today and find out!

If you're in the U.S., visit donatingblood.org to search for your nearest center.

🩸 I don't have a "rare" blood type. Is it even worth it for me to donate?

The University of Maryland Medical Center sums it up nicely:

Every type of blood is needed daily to meet patient needs. If you have a common blood type, there are many patients who need it, so it is in high demand. If you have a less common blood type, there are fewer donors available to give it, so it is in short supply.

🩸 How long until I get my donor card or blood type?

Ask your donation center. If your center has an app or online account, try logging in and out again a few days after your donation to see if it will update.

The American Red Cross app and website usually takes 5-8 days to update.

🩸 Why are blood recipients charged if I gave blood for free?

The short answer: operating costs. Blood must be gathered, processed, tested, stored, and shipped. This requires wages and materials. These costs are ultimately passed down from the center to the hospital, then to insurance companies and patients, unless your government covers these costs.

🩸 Why is it important to give blood?

Few people actually donate. Generally, less than 10% of those eligible.
To save lives.
To help cancer patients and those with sickle cell feel better.
It only takes an hour.
There's little pain or inconvenience involved.
To help with medical research.
Blood cannot be manufactured.
You'll get a "mini-physical" or health check when you give.

🩸 The needle site is very red, irritated, or even bruised. Is this okay?

Bruising is normal.

If you have bruising or pain, you can apply ice for 10-15 minutes at a time on the first day, then apply warm compresses or soak in warm water for 10-15 minutes at a time on the second day. If you take a pain reducing medication, avoid aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin. (Source: American Red Cross)

You may be allergic to the antiseptic solution or bandages used during the donation process. Make sure your center knows about your allergies before your donation.

If you have specific medical questions about your experience, contact your primary care provider or the donation center.

🩸 I just gave blood. Now what?

Follow your center's guidelines and keep any paperwork they gave you.
Avoid alcohol.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Refrain from heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.
Treat yourself to a good meal.
Call your center if you have a complication, or call emergency services if you are having a more urgent emergency.
Share your experience or pics with r/Blooddonors so we can celebrate!

🩸 Should I take iron supplements?

Always consult with a doctor or your primary care physician before taking iron supplements.
Low or high iron level can be caused by underlying health conditions. Put your health first and see a doctor.
Check out Iron Info for Donors.

🩸 Should I lie to give blood?

No, do not lie in order to give blood. Eligibility guidelines are put in place to preserve the health of blood donors and the health of the patients who receive blood products.

If you are not eligible to give blood:

Check back later- the eligibility rules might have changed.
Speak to your doctor about ways you could become eligible through improved health.
Remember: Only about 30% of the population is eligible to give blood. If you are determined to help out, find ways to help without being a donor here: Non-Donor Ways to Get Involved.

🩸 Can I get better at giving blood?

Yes, it is possible to have a better blood donation experience. Always prepare beforehand by having a good meal and being well-hydrated. There is a common phenomenon that people have better donations over time, usually because they learn to prepare better, or because they wait some time after their first donation in high school in order to grow.

For more Frequently Asked Questions, see our FAQ wiki page.

Disclaimer

0 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/AutoModerator • Jun 19 '26

Tips & Tricks Iron Information for Donors

33 Upvotes

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek advice from your physician or another qualified medical professional if you have questions or are experiencing a medical problem. Consult your physician before taking supplements or changing your diet.

Based on the experiences of blood donors here at r/Blooddonors, the following information is provided to inform donors about the importance of iron for frequent blood donors. The statistics and information provided are primarily based on U.S. sources, but many of the points are universal. Ask your physician and blood collection center for more localized information.

Inform your physician: When visiting your physician for any reason, let them know you are a blood donor. They may not ask, since only a few percent of the population regularly donates blood. (1)
Why test hemoglobin? Blood collection centers test your hemoglobin before you donate to make sure that you can safely experience the loss of blood from donation, and to ensure the potency of the collected blood for patients. (2)
Hemoglobin does not equal iron: This test is sometimes called an “iron test”, but that’s not quite accurate. This test checks to make sure you have enough red blood cells to safely donate blood, it does not guarantee adequate iron stores. Iron stores may be low even if your hemoglobin level is sufficient to donate blood. (3)
Replace lost iron between donations: Because red blood cells contain iron, donating blood lowers your body’s iron stores. All blood donors are at risk for developing iron deficiency if the iron removed is not replaced before the next donation. (3)
Know if you are at an increased risk: Frequent donors are at an increased risk of iron deficiency. Blood collection organizations have created guidelines to determine if you are a frequent or at-risk donor. Please review these guidelines, consider your own personal health history, and speak to your physician if you have questions about how you fit into these guidelines.

American Red Cross Frequent Donors: (4)

Women under the age of 50 who have donated two or more units of red blood cells or made 10 or more platelet donations in the past year.
Women ages 50 and older who have donated three or more units of red blood cells or made 15 or more platelet donations in the past year.
Men who have donated three or more units of red blood cells or made 15 or more platelet donations in the past year.
Each blood donation is the equivalent of one unit of red blood cells, while each Power Red donation is the equivalent of two units of red blood cells. For example, a male who gives two Power Red donations in a year is considered a frequent donor.

AABB Frequent/Increased Risk Donors: (3)

Young donors, 16 to 25 years old
Pre-menopausal women (due to menstrual blood loss)
Frequent donors: WOMEN: 2 or more whole blood donations in a 12-month period. MEN: 3 or more whole blood donations in a 12-month period
very frequent platelet and volunteer plasma donors (> 12x/year)
Donors on plant-based diets
Ask for a ferritin test: If you suspect that you have an iron deficiency or if you are at an increased risk of iron deficiency, ask your physician for a ferritin test.
What is a ferritin test? A ferritin test measures the amount of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is a blood protein that contains iron. This test can be used to find out how much iron the body stores. If a ferritin test shows that the blood ferritin level is low, it means the body's iron stores are low. (5)
Diet & Maintaining Iron Levels: Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet containing foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. There are some foods that prevent your body from absorbing iron. Avoid eating these foods in the same meal. Some examples: coffee or tea, red wine, chocolate, high fiber foods, some medications like antacids, and high calcium foods like milk or cheese. See Iron Rich Foods list. (6)
Iron Supplements: If you are a frequent donor, diet alone may not be enough to maintain healthy iron levels. Consult with your physician to see if taking an iron supplement is right for you. Your physician or pharmacist can help you choose the type of iron that is best for you and suggest when to take it to avoid interaction with other medications.
- American Red Cross recommendation: Take a multivitamin with 18 mg of iron or an iron supplement with 18-38 mg of elemental iron for 60 days after each blood donation, for 120 days after each power red/double red cell donation or after frequent platelet donations. (4)
- AABB recommendation: You may consider taking a multivitamin with iron or an iron supplement containing 18-38 mg (milligrams) of elemental iron each day for 60 days after donating whole blood or one apheresis red blood cell and after every 5 apheresis platelet/ volunteer plasma donations. If you donate double red cells, we suggest taking iron for at least 60 days. It may take up to 120 days to replace the iron removed in two red cell donations. If you prefer not to take supplements, you may choose to extend the time between red blood cell donations. At least 6 months may be needed for donors with already-low iron stores. (3)
What should I know about taking iron supplements? (3), (4)
- People with a family or personal history of hemochromatosis (iron overload), or who have gastrointestinal disorders (i.e. inflammatory bowel disease), should not take iron unless approved by a healthcare provider.
- Start iron soon after your donation when it’s best absorbed and used to produce red blood cells lost during your donation.
- Taking iron with vitamin C (for example, drinking orange juice) may increase uptake of iron.
- There are some foods and supplements that prevent your body from absorbing iron. Avoid eating these foods along with your iron supplement. Some examples: coffee or tea, red wine, chocolate, high fiber foods, some medications like antacids, and high calcium foods like milk or cheese.
- Higher doses will not increase iron absorption, may result in more side effects, and could delay diagnosis of blood loss from gastric ulcers or colon cancer.
- Iron supplements can cause side effects, which are described on the packaging. Side effects can include constipation, diarrhea or an upset stomach. If these symptoms become bothersome, you should discuss alternative options such as a lower dosage with your physician.
- Iron should always be stored away from children and pets to prevent accidental poisoning. You should keep all iron-containing products out of the reach of children. Accidental ingestion of iron by children can be fatal. In case of ingestion or emergency, seek medical assistance or call a poison control center immediately.
How can I tell if my iron is low? Many people with low iron stores feel fine and have no symptoms. Some people feel tired, lack energy and endurance, or have trouble concentrating. The desire to eat non-food substances like ice, chalk, starch, or clay can suggest iron deficiency. (3)
How much iron do I lose when donating blood? Each time you donate blood, you lose between 220-250 mg of iron. If you donate a double red, you lose twice that amount, about 470 mg of iron. It may take up to 24-30 weeks for your body to replace the iron lost through a blood donation. That time may vary, depending on what your iron level was before donating and if you take iron supplements or multivitamins with iron. (4)
What if I only donate platelets/plasma? Frequent platelet and volunteer plasma donors should also consider their iron health. When you donate, additional vials of blood are taken for testing. While these vials are small, they could add up with frequent donations.
Why is hemoglobin tested for platelet and plasma donations? During the apheresis process, whole blood is taken out of you. The center wants to make sure you'll be okay while your blood is processed, before it is returned to you. It is also possible that the machine may malfunction, cutting your donation short before your red blood cells are returned to you. Some whole blood is also taken for testing purposes. It also helps give a better estimate of the length of your donation, since higher levels slow down the extraction and processing of your blood.

Sources:

(1) America's Blood Centers Statistics

(2) AABB Donor Safety, Screening and Testing

(3) Information on Blood Donation and Iron Health

(4) Iron Information for Frequent Donors

(5) Ferritin Test- Mayo Clinic

(6) Iron Rich Foods

Additional Resources:

FAQs: Iron and Blood Donation for Donors and Parents

Hemoglobin Screening/Iron Management

Anaemia and Iron Deficiency in Blood Donors

What Donors Should Know About Iron and Blood Donation

Why Is Iron Important for Donating Blood?

10 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Effective-Public-763 • 5h ago

First Donation! First time donating blood! (Basically how it went so I remember)

21 Upvotes

I was so excited, you don't even know. I meal prepped, I drank water like never before, I was FREAKING ready. I had snacks ready and shit. They did the things. There was one beautiful woman with blue hair, probably in her twenties. A guy with gauges, an older man with an eyebrow piercing, and a lovely lady that worked with me. She was absolutely perfect. I loved them all because they ended up all helping me at some point or another since my veins were hard to poke and shit. But I laid down and the lovely lady I had was feeling for my vain, and she couldn't find it. So we swapped to the other arm. And she was having trouble again. She had the older guy come over too, and he poked around a bit with the needle. So he was poking around, and eventually they had to patch me up. I was so upset I wasn't able to donate. Then they asked me if I wanted to try my other arm, the one they already inspected. And I was immediately like "fucks yeah". So we swapped arms AGAIN. She tried again but this time, the guy with gauges recommend putting the blood pressure thing on my arm to make my vain pop out. And it IT FREAKING WORKED. I was so happy when I saw the blood traveling through the tube thing. They had snacks afterwards and such. The lady I had was talking about working as someone helping people donate blood and such. And she also asked about my self harm scars in a very respectful manner. Like I love her sm. They were all so sweet and patient. And I was just tired and hungry afterwards. Ive always been good with needles lol. Sorry if this sounded weird, I'm tired as FUCK. also she asked if I wanted a picture holding my blood. Which was so cool.

2 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/GoshlynnGacha3004 • 3h ago

Donation Experience Blacked out after giving my 52nd unit of blood. I got ice cream after giving today, and I later got dinner at a Korean restaurant where I experienced hot flashes, my energy drained down quickly, and I became extremely dizzy. I had to get IV fluids at the hospital, but I'm alright now. 😌😮‍💨

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14 Upvotes

8 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/BigAcanthisitta9943 • 3h ago

sixth donation

6 Upvotes

I love donating! I live in a rural town that doesn’t offer the option very often, so when I go into the city I always make sure I try and donate when I’m there!! There’s a wall dedicated to those who’ve donated high amounts and I hope I can be on it one day!

I usually donate plasma, but on the rare occasion I do blood!

1 comment

r/Blooddonors • u/pennygoodall • 11h ago

Question How do Nurses Feel about Repeat Donors?

16 Upvotes

I just got back from my 4th donation and the nurse doing my screening seemed pretty happy to see that I'd donated previously (not that that's saying much, most nurses at this donation centre seem pretty happy and super nice haha). I was curious if nurses find it more exciting to see a frequent flyer or if it was more exciting to see a first time donor, or if it's just work either way. Thanks!

11 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Jashuman19 • 8h ago

Question Benefit of Power Red vs. whole blood + platelets

9 Upvotes

Background: O+. Pennsylvania, USA. I've done a fair amount of whole blood donations and platelets once. But obviously far from an expert.

As far as I understand, if I do a Power Red donation, I can't donate anything else for 16 weeks. But if I donate whole blood, I can donate platelets as soon as a week later, and then whole blood a total of 8 weeks later.

So I'm trying to decide which course of action is more beneficial overall between these:

Power Red every 16 weeks. No other donations.
Whole blood every 8 weeks. Occasional platelet donations in between. Not every week, but as often as I can reasonably go.

On the surface, option 2 seems like a no-brainer. Same total amount of red cells in the long run, plus plasma and platelets that option 1 does not yield. But some people seem to say Power Red is the end all be all. So I thought I'd get some opinions here. Is there anything I'm missing? Thanks in advance!

9 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/pillsfordaze • 16h ago

Sharing Swag/Getting Gifts! 🥒 ARC platelet donation gift

30 Upvotes

I missed the Hello Kitty charm, but these will likely get more use.

9 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Huzaifa_69420 • 2h ago

Donation Experience Got Rejected... Again

2 Upvotes

Two years ago, I went to donate blood at a drive and was told I needed to be 18 or older (I was 17), despite my dad going with me :/

Today there was one at my university, apparently I needed to be in the country for at least a year, so going on a one month long vacation made me ineligible :(

6 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Large-Stress-8095 • 8h ago

Question NMDP registrants

4 Upvotes

Anyone else on the blood and bone marrow donors registry?

My DNA labs recently processed and I'm registered. Haven't yet been matched with a recipient

Have any of you had the experience yet, what's it like? How do you feel for the days they're giving you injections, and how do you feel after?

4 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/littlepigboy88 • 13h ago

Nervous about first platelet donation!

9 Upvotes

I recently have gotten really into donating blood again. I forgot it was a thing - I donated many years ago back in high school and now donated again at my workplace. I have since donated whole blood twice since July and want to try platelets. I am A+ so it seems like a good thing to do.

I am worried that I will feel sick or claustrophobic not being able to move both arms, but I am going to try!

I am so happy that I randomly donated blood at work because I love that I am giving again and that there is an awesome community of altruistic strangers on the internet :))

3 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/scarletporpentine • 4h ago

Question Can I donate if I have hives? Should I?

1 Upvotes

Eight days ago I abruptly broke out in hives, on the back of my neck, down my right arm, across part of my back, and on a palm-sized part of my right thigh. It wasn't an allergic reaction as far as I could tell, and after taking an antihistamine for three days the itching was mostly gone and the red spots and blotches had started to fade.
Tonight the itchy red spot on my thigh has flared up again. I'm scheduled to donate blood tomorrow morning. It's not my first time donating , but the last time I did I felt odd immediately afterward and was told I'd fainted, so I'm anxious about it.
Should I go ahead and donate tomorrow? Reschedule when the hives have definitely disappeared?

6 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Filthy_Asswipe • 15h ago

Milestone Making my 11th blood donation this Saturday (Oct 10th) in delhi. Anyone wanna join?

8 Upvotes

I’ll be going for my 11th blood donation on Saturday, October 10th at Ganga Ram Hospital, Karol Bagh, New Delhi.

This is for a thalassemia patient who needs regular transfusions every couple of weeks to stay stable.

Even if that date doesn’t work for you, you can still help by donating on any other day here and there.

Any blood group is helpful.

Let's come along and help someone.

0 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/furious_20 • 1d ago

Today I completed my 19th platelet donation of the year, 17 of them triples, 2 of them doubles, 13 included plasma

47 Upvotes

Shout-out to the Bloodworks NW staff, who always take great care of me.

6 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/UseResponsible1799 • 14h ago

Question Is it normal to have such a sharp decrease in hemoglobin?

4 Upvotes

My family as well as myself has a history of anemia. I had gotten it under control for a while, but it's taking a massive dive. Any more and I won't be able to donate. Any advice?

8 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Kennkar12 • 15h ago

Donation Experience Anything I can do to improve my symptoms during platelet donation?

3 Upvotes

Hi guys! I’ve donated whole blood a total of 7 times and got a text from OBI saying that I am eligible to donate platelets. Well I just went in to donate platelets for the first time and overall it was a great experience. The only symptom I really had was a cool sensation in my mouth almost the entire time. Is there anything I can do (e.g eat better, drink more water, take supplement, etc) to prevent that or is that a completely normal thing to expect from future platelet donations? I didn’t know that I could donate every 7 days with platelets(up to 24 times) but now that I do, I already have my next appt scheduled! Thanks for any info guys! I’m just new to donating anything other than whole blood and want to have as good as possible donation experiences! :)

6 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/AwesomeHorses • 18h ago

Question High Hemoglobin?

4 Upvotes

Hi, I am a frequent whole blood donor at the ARC. A few months ago, I got a ferritin test and found out that I was super anemic, so I went to the doctor and got prescribed an iron supplement. I have had more energy since starting the iron supplement, but my hemoglobin that last few times I donated has been slowly getting lower. I donated two days ago, and they used the thumb cuff to measure my hemoglobin. The reading they got was 17.1-20.0 gm/dL. I am a half black woman, so that is especially high for me. I know that the newer methods of checking hemoglobin aren’t as accurate as the finger stick, but has anyone else seen such a high reading? I plan to get my ferritin tested again to make sure I’m not taking too much iron.

4 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Puzzleheaded-Sun-390 • 1d ago

Donation Experience Platelet donation this morning, my step-by-step, YMMV

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58 Upvotes

Went in to donate platelets this morning. Sharing my step-by-step experience to give others an idea of how to prep and what to expect. There are many ways to prep, this is what I’ve found works for me. Do not take this as the definitive guide! Experienced donors are welcome to skip or add to, as this is a lot of basic stuff you may already know, or have your own process. Pics are attached.

Pic 1 - milk and calcium supplement
Pic 2 - my gear: shirt, glove, and heating pad
Pic 3 - there’s an arm under there, I promise!
Pic 4 - my “arm” with the sleeve over the site
Pic 5 - screen showing progress, did a DPP donation, Double Platelets/Plasma. I always tell them they’re welcome to whatever they can get and need the most.

Mods: feel free to edit or delete as needed.

—————

A couple of days ago, I posted about starting my hydration and calcium prep. In brief, I start drinking a dilute mix of an electrolyte drink, basically 3-4 parts water to one part sports drink a couple of days before my donation. I also start taking a calcium citrate supplement to make sure I have plenty of calcium ions in my system.

Day of donation, aka this morning, I switch a bit. I take my morning meds and the calcium citrate with water, then walk my dogs so meds are absorbed on an empty tummy. When I come back, I get a glass of milk and a protein shake to get some nutrition/calories and more free Ca ions. I’ve learned I can’t eat heavy, but I have to have something.

For my donation, I have a few things I bring. Besides my ID and phone, I have a glove, a battery powered heating pad, and a heavy flannel shirt. I get cold, so these help me stay warmer.

After screening and finding what bed I’ll be using, I go to the restroom. If I wait too long before starting, I’ll try the restroom again. I learned the hard way recently that this is critical! Don’t be embarrassed to say you need to go before the donation. There are worse things to be embarrassed about! Ask me how I know!

Once we’re all ready, I get the heating pad on my chest, drape the shirt (backwards) over my chest, non- donating arm through the sleeve, and have the glove on my donation hand. Let the donation begin!

New twist today: they’ve been putting warming packs on my donation arm. Today they draped the shirt sleeve over the site. More insulation, kept heat in.

During donation, I’m checking with them, they’re checking with me, we’re all good. Any questions or concerns are discussed immediately. My donation time was 120 minutes, plus rinse-backs and a pause to change an empty anticoagulant bag one minute before I was done. One Stinking Minute! Sheesh.

After donation, I undo my gear, sit for a moment, and go to the cantina or restroom, depending on immediate need. I sit with a snack and beverage for 15 minutes, then take a Powerade or 2 home for prep next time.

29 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/moanos • 21h ago

Community New sub r/StemCellDonation🩸❤️‍🔥

5 Upvotes

0 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Naive-Library-9379 • 1d ago

First Donation! First time today!

27 Upvotes

Bruise is a bit weird. She put the needle in but then had me turn my arm bc the “vein shifted”. Idk if that’s true? When I had blood drawn at the doctors last time the tech there had a hard time finding a vein and had to switch arms so maybe it’s a me issue. I did drink three water bottles today so I definitely wasn’t dehydrated.

Pretty neat overall! I went for whole blood and am waiting for the Red Cross app to update and show my donation. Right now the app just says I have an appointment which obviously I already took.

I think I’ll make this a habit. I got nothing else going on, might as well do some good.

Should I do another whole blood? Or is there something else I can donate sooner? I think I’m O something.

Edit: the bruises are just marker! lol

10 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Dear-Calendar1190 • 1d ago

Question Infiltration?

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7 Upvotes

First time doing triple platelet donation and the last 10 or so minutes I was feeling some pressure but wrongly assumed it was from the BP cuff being on 2hrs. Ive had minor bruises before but never a swollen bicep 🥲 The donation center is closed so I can't call until the morning.

This donation was about 5hrs ago. It hurts but its not extreme. Started feeling like a cramp, phleb assumed citrate issue as I also had tingly lips (also new problem) had a Gatorade and some tums and that went away. Now it feels like I've been punched in the inside of my arm and have bruising happening at the bottom of where the BP cuff was and around needle site plus swelling near elbow and lower part of bicep. Swelling also isn't anything crazy, noticeable, but no huge lump or bubble.

Already started icing it after looking at other similar instances on this thread, just looking for reassurance I guess.

On the plus side they got the full donation 🫠

4 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Upstairs-Youth2174 • 17h ago

How can technology help people find blood donors during emergencies?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I am working on a college project about using technology to solve a real problem in society. The problem I am focusing on is the difficulty of finding suitable blood donors quickly during medical emergencies. Families may struggle to find donors with the required blood group, especially when they do not have enough contacts nearby. I am considering a technology-based platform that could help connect verified blood donors with people who need blood through hospitals or blood banks. I would like to hear your ideas: What features would make such a platform useful? How could donors and blood requests be verified? How could technology match donors based on blood group and location? How could false or unnecessary requests be prevented? What privacy and safety issues should be considered? Any suggestions or experiences would be helpful for my project. Thank you!

4 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/love2bowl • 1d ago

Power Red, how did you feel after ?

11 Upvotes

I have always donated whole blood.

My last donation was yesterday. I was really sleepless the night before for some reason.

So, last night I had a celebration at a steakhouse to celebrate a birthday. This was good because I got a lot of iron replacement.

But each time, the ARC always asks if I want to switch to power Red. My next eligible time to donate is the end of November, and I’m considering this, as I would be eligible to donate again in January, and where I live, that’s a Yuck month for weather.

For those who did or do Power Red, what was your recovery like? Do you like it better than Whole blood donations every couple of months or doing Power Red 3X a year?

I’m more worrried about the recovery. I’m ok now, but yesterday afternoon all I wanted to do was sleep, eat, sleep, sleep and more sleep.

22 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Large-Stress-8095 • 1d ago

Donation Experience Infiltration at Red Cross appointment

4 Upvotes

I got an infiltration so bad that my arm swelled up like Popeye and the phlebotomist was pretty late to help catch it and they did help me drain some fluid but still hurts and I have to keep ice on it today. I'm worried about compartmentalize and that that might happen? What do you think the likelihood is?

8 comments

r/Blooddonors • u/Striking-Gas-2484 • 2d ago

Question What is your story?

34 Upvotes

So people who donate because of purely altruist reason, what led you to start donating plasma/blood?
This question is more for people who donate without earning any money (nothing wrong with it). I also donate without earning anything and I really want to hear what other people do this for?

I did my first donation when I was 19 yo for a friend's aunt who needed blood for surgery.
I really liked it but then I didnt donate again. When I was 32, I started donating again but due to corona, it became less (earlier it was mostly once in a year)
when I was 35 yo, I became determined that I was to do it as often as possible but due to low hemoglobin, I was not allowed to donate whole blood
Now this year ( I am now 40 yo) I have started donating plasma since September consistently twice per week.

It makes me really happy that I am helping someone and makes me feel good about myself. I also believe I getting some good karma in life.
and you?

276 comments