About how some white countries ban African blood, I understand why, let's be real here. Africans are much more likely to be HIV positive than other races. Sure I'm not happy, but hey that shouldn't stop us from donating blood in our own Nigeria to help fellow Africans.

Also, don't think donating blood is like sacrificing something for the benefit of others. It's good to let go of some old blood and give the body a chance to produce new blood cells, it can be rejuvenating. That is, of course, the blood donation needle is sterile. So I encourage healthy Nigerians to give blood. It's good for you too!

dominique:

What has that got to giving blood? But you can receive blood abi?

It has everything. When I was in college and the Blood Drive van came along to campus, after filing out the questionnaire, it disqualified me automatically. Being that it's a long time, can't really recall why but it had to do with me being African or because I traveled to Africa or something of that nature. They automatically disqualified me.

centje: it's not forbidden or a taboo for a black or african to donate

Yeah it's not. Will ask yourself what the ratio is? I'm sure the results will convince you beyond doubt. In my state, blood collection meets stringent rules - like if you've been bitten by insects such as mosquitoes, or you having missing or no up-to-date vaccine record, things like that disqualifies you. Though my vaccine record was up to date, YET, they disqualified me. I stated that I traveled back home to Nigeria back then and I was sick when I traveled. I disclosed other information to the truth of knowledge, YET, I failed.

[b][/b]
YOU WILL BE DENIED AS A BLOOD DONOR IF:

1. You test positive for HIV-1, HIV-2, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-I, HTLV-II, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, West Nile Virus (WNV), and T. pallidum (syphilis).

2. You have a fever at the time of donation, or state that you do not feel well, or are taking antibiotics.

3. You may be declined if you have a history of injection drug use or a history of selected sexually transmitted diseases.

4. You have recent exposure to or a history of hepatitis, malaria, CJD (AKA Mad Cow Disease), babesiosis, and Chagas' disease.

5. You have symptoms that may be compatible with HIV infection like persistent fevers, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, persistent cough or shortness of breath, persistent diarrhea or swollen lymph nodes.

6. You say yes to these questions:

• Have you ever had clinical or laboratory evidence of AIDS or HIV infection?

• For men: Have you had sex with another man, even once since 1977?

• Have you ever injected intravenous drugs?

• Have you engaged in sex in exchange for money or drugs since 1977?

• Have you received clotting factor concentrates for hemophilia or other clotting disorders?

7. You will be turned away for a year if you have had sex with:

• A person who has HIV infection or AIDS

• A prostitute

• A person who currently or previously used intravenous drugs

• For women: a man who has had sex with another man

• A person receiving clotting factor concentrates

8. You have been treated in the past year for syphilis or gonorrhea, received a blood transfusion, experienced an accidental needle stick injury or received a skin or bone graft or a tissue or organ transplant.

9. You have been an inmate at a correctional institution or been incarcerated for more than 72 consecutive hours during the previous 12 months

10. You will be turned away if:

• You have a history of viral hepatitis after age 10.

• You have ever tested (+) for HBsAg.

• You have a history of close contact with someone who has viral hepatitis

• You received a blood transfusion in the last 12 months.

10. You may be denied if you got a tattoo or body piercing within the last 12 months

11. You have traveled to a malaria endemic area in the last year.

^^this seem to be a very long list of requirement, as at when i donated, i can't remember been asked any of those questions, i was only tested 4 HIV and Hepatitis B i guess, and what's with the 1977 date anyway?

centje: a pint equals 450ml of blood. You're adviced to donate one pint at a time. But one can donate up to 3 times [b]or more [/b]in a year.

Not MORE.

jiljosh:

Not MORE.

some people say up to 5,its not scientifically sound but that's their opinion

jiljosh:

Not MORE.

How do they consider the ones who double donate?

SniperInADiaper:

How do they consider the ones who double donate?

commercial donors,they are good at that

i have donated blood once and can still donate more to save lives, i can donat organs when i'm dead but not when i'm alive

I havent had the opp. to donate but believe me if it happens will gladly go for it.

I try to donate blood every time I can because I am O- and so I'm universal donor. But the conditions are rather restrictive: not change in sexual partner in the last 6 months (protected or unprotected sex, it doesn't matter), you must wait also 6 months after you travelled to some countries, you must not have been sick in the last weeks, not have gone to the dentist in the last days, not having taken antibiotics, etc. You must be over 50kg and have a good blood pressure. And you can donate max 2-3 times a year only.
When I studied in the US I wanted to donate blood but they rejected me because I am from Europe.
Because of that, the last time I donated blood was in 2009. Then I travelled too much that I wasn't able to donate because of the 6 months waiting period! I got a call 2 weeks ago from the transfusion center, asking if I can come because they really need O-, but I couldn't meet their criteria :-S!
I think it's very important to donate blood. There are so many people that need transfusion, and as I might need it one day (though I hope not), I think it's the least I can do to help. And I encourage anybody who's fit for blood donation to go to the transfusion center and donate blood!

Hello everyone,your all comments inspire me to donate the blood but there is a problem I don't have enough for denoting to other so please some one suggest me some thing for gaining my weight and blood too. so that I would be able to donate my blood so thanks in advance.

rocky01: Hello everyone,your all comments inspire me to donate the blood but there is a problem I don't have enough for denoting to other so please some one suggest me some thing for gaining my weight and blood too. so that I would be able to donate my blood so thanks in advance.

how did you know you don't have enough?

do you have low blood pressure? i remember one time i was told i was at the limit for donation, because if it's too low you can't donate. maybe it's that, but i don't really know what you can do to increase blood pressure. My doctor told me to eat salty.

rocky01: Hello everyone,your all comments inspire me to donate the blood but there is a problem I don't have enough for denoting to other so please some one suggest me some thing for gaining my weight and blood too. so that I would be able to donate my blood so thanks in advance.

First of all make sure you are not short of blood because you are sick by asking a doctor.
One instant solution to low blood count is pumpkin leaves juice. try to squeeze the juice from pumpkin leaves (ugwu leaves ) or if you like taking medicine then you can just get blood tonic.

.

centje: commercial donors,they are good at that

But it's a big risk on the health of anyone who "overdonates". Besides, it'll be a really difficult thing to do in advanced countries where all your health/medical history can be called up with a few keystrokes.

masterpiecer: I can still remember how happy and i satisfied i felt the day i donated a pint of blood to a blood bank, i didn't plan to do it but i went to the hospital that particular day for check up and a thought came to me to run a HIV test to assertain my status so i went to the lab attendant and told him i would like to donate blood knowing fully well that before i would be allowed to donate blood, they would have to run a HIV test on me, he checked if i was healthy enough to donate, after that he ran the test and it came out -ve, in d result, hepatitis B was also tested and i eventually donated some blood, I was so happy.

That was about 2 yrs ago, i'm thinking of re-visiting for another donation, i know its against the belief of some religion, but would u donate ur blood to save a life?

. when u w ent for the test, what d doctor write on ur result to know if u are positive or negative. thanls

jiljosh:

But it's a big risk on the health of anyone who "overdonates". Besides, it'll be a really difficult thing to do in advanced countries where all your health/medical history can be called up with a few keystrokes.

that's right.

doctorbabs: . when u w ent for the test, what d doctor write on ur result to know if u are positive or negative. thanls

that's about some 3yrs ago, cant vividly remember in details but there was a column where HIV status was printed with 2 check boxes; one indicating +ive and d other -ive, the check box with the '-ive' was ticked and there was also a column for hepatitis B and some others i cant remember.

doctorbabs: . when u w ent for the test, what d doctor write on ur result to know if u are positive or negative. thanls

If he was positive,he wldnt hv been bled @ all. When they do all the necessary tests like PCV and d rest,if any of them is below what its supposed to be,the donor wldnt be bled @ all,he/she wld be told he isn't fit to donate.