Are you a regular blood donor and what caused you to start donating?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 22:26:00 -0500

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 28 at 2015 10:33 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 22:33:25 -0500

I gave blood regularly until those people who were stationed in Germany in the 1980's were prohibited because of the threat of Mad Cow [bovine spongiform] SFC Private RallyPoint Member>
I hope one day to be able to donate blood again.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 10:44 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 22:44:07 -0500

I really never have been a regular, but started to give more frequently. My blood type is one that is needed a lot.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 10:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 22:53:27 -0500

No I am not a regular downer. I give blood when I am able to due to deployments and I run into a blood drive.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 10:58 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 22:58:11 -0500

I started donating blood in high school and there was cookies and ice cream, I donated blood graduation week of basic because there were no instructors and there were cookies. My employer now routinely hosts blood drives so I can donate on the clock and it gets me out of the heavy lifting, but I'm mostly about the cookies....sometimes there's a free t-shirt too...

Each pint of blood can save three lives. Some people's blood has such unique characteristics that they can save many more from the medications developed from their blood. I think that anyone physically capable of giving blood is morally obligated to do so.

Sometimes you get out of work, can eat cookies, and get a t-shirt. If anyone hates on you about it, you just say "I saved 3 lives sitting on my rump, what did you do?" Nobody hates on you though when you donate blood because they also give you a sticker that says "Be Nice To Me, I Gave Blood Today".

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 11:02 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 23:02:56 -0500

I first gave blood in Boot Camp at San Diego in 1968. I have since donated blood over 150 times. I had Melanoma skin cancer which has a three year waiting period before you can donate again. The three year period will be up in August 2016. I just had Squamous Cell skin cancer surgery a week and a half ago, so I hope to find a taker for my blood in August 2016. Donating blood is a very good cause!

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Dec 29 at 2015 12:02 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 00:02:00 -0500

I used to donate regularly (I have O- blood). Haven't been able to since I was stationed in Europe in the early 2000's because of the Mad Cow panic.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 29 at 2015 12:11 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 00:11:55 -0500

I had donated several times, until I returned from Germany,,and was informed I could never donate again..

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 29 at 2015 1:58 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 01:58:05 -0500

I'm way over 5 gallons. Being O Neg the blood center tends to hunt you down. Much easier once they decided they'd rather have double pack red cells. That way I only donate a few times a year. I was off line while I had a bad run in with Malaria but that too passed although my liver wasn't happy for some time. Hopefully it has done some good. You never know. BTW get yourself swabbed for the bone marrow program. You won't be needed until you're needed, but any chance to save a life is a no brainer to me.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 29 at 2015 6:43 AM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 06:43:15 -0500

Every chance I get.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 29 at 2015 9:38 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 09:38:24 -0500

I used to regularly donate blood. Great mission to help save lives.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Dec 29 at 2015 10:20 AM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 10:20:25 -0500

I am have been for at least 15 years. I believe if you can help others and it is a self less act. I have also donated plasma and I am an active bone marrow participant

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 29 at 2015 11:02 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 11:02:12 -0500

I used to regularly, but I'm trying to find a way to donate without it having to go through the Red Cross... I was disappointed to find out that the Red Cross sells the blood to hospitals at exorbitant prices. If I could donate straight to hospitals, I would prefer that..

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 11:12 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 11:12:58 -0500

OK, truth and honesty, I'm scared to death of donating blood and don't have a clue why... so, how do you get signed up and where do you go and I'll do it for my New Year resolution (YIKES)!

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Dec 29 at 2015 6:25 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 18:25:36 -0500

Started in high school when one of my classmates got leukemia. He and his family were very lucky; had just joined the Coast Guard and completed basic training when he got the word. The federal government picked up the costs for everything.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 30 at 2015 3:43 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:43:47 -0500

I attempt to donate regularly. First time was at MCRD, and have managed to 1-2 a year since then on average. Normally when they have the mobile blood bank in front of Best Buy around Christmas.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2015 10:01 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 10:01:26 -0500

I'm O NEG so I can help everyone and I know it's help saved lives that's why I donate every chance I get