Emergency EA Blood Drive

**taurusmoon** · #1 09-11-2001, 12:56 PM

My office is closing in a few minutes. After I go home to hug my family I'm heading out to find an open blood center to donate my pint.

If you live near any of the crisis areas, and if you are eligible to do so, I implore you to consider donating as well.

Even if you live outside these areas, your blood is urgently needed for "routine" emergency and surgical care.

Thanks in advance to all of you who can give.

Sara

**amykhar** · #2 09-11-2001, 01:19 PM

Bob and I are heading out now to do so.

Amy

dlbrantley · #3 09-11-2001, 01:19 PM

Can't give blood when your pregnant

AmyLEnsor · #4 09-11-2001, 01:32 PM

Oh yes, I was just thinking I should do this. Thanks for the reminder!

Mrsfitts · #5 09-11-2001, 01:46 PM

The Mayor (no way I could spell his name) is asking for blood and mentioned 3 donation spots in NYC's Manhattan area in a radio address.

I wish I could give blood -they won't take blood from people with Fibromyalgia (IT IS NOT AN AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASE IDIOTS!!! I GAVE 3 GALLONS BEFORE I WAS DIAGNOSED!!!

)

Good luck & God Bless

erik_kosberg · #6 09-11-2001, 01:49 PM

I can’t get to the Red Cross website, but Yahoo is reporting the the Red Cross has issued an appeal for blood donors (1-800-448-3543)

**jgibson2**[$] · #7 09-11-2001, 02:20 PM

I can't donate, but I already told my 18 and 20 year old that they've volunteered.

Those who can't give today, tomorrow, or even next week -- the need for blood from this devastation will go on for MONTHS

The survivors will need many surgeries over the next months. Get there when you can.

Judy

nicholmere · #8 09-11-2001, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlbrantley
Can't give blood when your pregnant

Your circumstances may be different than mine were, but when I was pregnant my MD told me not only was it safe, but that I had plenty to share because I was pregnant.

jo.com · #9 09-11-2001, 02:32 PM

I tried to give blood during our town's blood drive 2 weeks ago. I was anemic and they wouldn't let me. I wonder if they would take me now that they need it so badly or I can wait and hope I'm not anemic in another couple of weeks. I guess I'll call the Red Cross and ask.

cyndilouwhoo · #10 09-11-2001, 02:38 PM

Rich and I are going out ASAP. We hope that the Red Cross stays open late for donations. Does anyone know?

Cyndi

**drmomentum**[$] · #11 09-11-2001, 02:46 PM

I'm on my way now. Luckily it has been long enough since my last.

-JP

**soxfan**[$] · #12 09-11-2001, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jo.com
I tried to give blood during our town's blood drive 2 weeks ago. I was anemic and they wouldn't let me. I wonder if they would take me now that they need it so badly or I can wait and hope I'm not anemic in another couple of weeks. I guess I'll call the Red Cross and ask.

Let me know if you find that out ... I have that problem sometimes too, but I figure they need the blood more than I do right now.

Ailsa

cyndilouwhoo · #13 09-11-2001, 03:43 PM

Thought folks would like to know...

I just contacted the American Red Cross donor center in Braintree, MA to find out about giving blood today--

The response, according to the person who answered the phone has been overwhelming. So much so that they are asking folks to consider waiting and giving blood in a couple of days. The centers, at least in my area, have more donors than it can process.

Please contact your local donor center for information and to make an appointment. The need for blood will be just as critical in a day or two as it is today.

It would appear (at least from my experience) that your chances of being turned away from donation centers today are good. Save yourself some time and make an appointment.

I would also suggest watching your local news for emergency blood drive information--the Red Cross will probably be coordinating several blood drives all over the US in the next couple of days.

Hope this helps folks considering giving blood

Cyndi

Who has her appointment for friday

**drmomentum**[$] · #14 09-11-2001, 04:39 PM

Just to confirm what Cyndi said. I contacted the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and they told me basically the same thing.

-JP

**theworm**[$] · #15 09-11-2001, 04:56 PM

Just before logging on, I spoke to my human resource department to see if we can organize a blood drive at work. Thanks to all of your information, I'll try to find the local blood donation centers, but I'll ask people to wait a few days. The news today is beyond our comprehension, and it feels like giving blood is one of the few things that we can now do to help the direct victims.

**amykhar** · #16 09-11-2001, 05:38 PM

we spent several hours down there waiting, but we are back. The local tv station and newspaper were there, and the nurses are going to be pulling double shifts for the rest of the week.

Amy

erik_kosberg · #17 09-11-2001, 08:09 PM

The Red Cross in the Twin Cities is overwhelmed with walk-ins and is suggesting that people call ahead and set up appointments for at least the next few days.

**AshleyA**[$] · #18 09-11-2001, 08:10 PM

I have never donated in my life, but I am going to do so as soon as the mayhem at our local blood and tissue center dies down in a few days. There has been a four-hour wait here, and they are instructing us to wait. I do promise to donate because I can't think of a better way to help out at the moment.

Ashley

#19 09-11-2001, 08:39 PM

Don't forget!!!!!!!

For those of us who have a difficult time giving blood or who can't give blood at the moment, please remember that the Red Cross accepts monetary donations. This money will help significantly since volunteer workers will need to be fed and for supplies that they need to collect blood donations.

Donations are accepted online at
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp

**taurusmoon** · #20 09-11-2001, 08:50 PM

I'm back from donating. It was probably some the most heartwarming 5 hours I've spent in my life.

The turnout was amazing and the small donor center was little prepared for it. Yet everyone kept their cool and the spirit of cooperation was astonishing. A local deli came by with packed lunches for donors, supermarkets and grocers donated snacks and drinks.

It was like one big happy (well, not exactly happy) family. I'm glad that I was able to go just to experience it. Meanwhile I made an appointment to donate platelets next Tuesday.

The need for blood will go on for weeks. If you can't get to donate now, please do so later. As the days tick away people will begin to forget. That's when it's most important for others to remember.

Thanks everyone for your efforts and your concern.

Sara

wickedgood · #21 09-11-2001, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jo.com
I tried to give blood during our town's blood drive 2 weeks ago. I was anemic and they wouldn't let me. I wonder if they would take me now that they need it so badly or I can wait and hope I'm not anemic in another couple of weeks. I guess I'll call the Red Cross and ask.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let me know if you find that out ... I have that problem sometimes too, but I figure they need the blood more than I do right now.

I donate frequently and this is one of the problems I have encountered. If, prior to giving, you suppliment your iron you can become eligible to donate. Lots of liver, spinach & broccoli as well as daily iron suppliments taken as little as a week before donating will bring your levels up to appropriate levels.

Keep trying because being anemic can be a temporary thing.

smiles, Shari

jo.com · #22 09-12-2001, 09:20 AM

Alisa, I tried calling all day and the line was busy. And now like Cyndi said they are saying to wait until tomorrow. I will call again today, though.

lambchops · #23 09-12-2001, 09:59 AM

My husband is giving blood. I can't (cancer survivor, anemic, hypoglycemic). They don't want mine for anything...

I heard that they were having a major shortage of O+

KateTPZ · #24 09-12-2001, 10:18 AM

I tried two blood centers yesterday and one this morning - they're so overwhelmed that they're also asking people to consider waiting a day or two. They also said they will need platelets - so please consider that as well. (Check with your local Red Cross to find out what is most needed and when is best to scedule.) If you've never donated platelets, be aware that it takes quite a bit longer but your body will replace them more quickly and you can donate platelets more frequently than whole blood.

I've been turned away for anemia in the past and in my case it was a very temporary thing. A volunteer at the Red Cross suggested eating raisins before going to donate to raise the iron level. I did it and was accepted the next day, but I don't know if that was coincidence or if there's validity to it.

dandj · #25 09-12-2001, 10:48 AM

The latest update I heard with regards to the blood donations is that they have had such a wonderfully overwhelming response, they are now asking for only those with O negative and O positive blood to come in for at least today.

In my area yesterday, there were lines that lasted up to seven hours for donating. It's amazing in the wake of such disaster to be presented with the number of truly caring and generous people.

Danielle

**taurusmoon** · #26 09-12-2001, 11:12 AM

I can attest to yesterday's turnout. It was heartwarming.

At this point they are asking for people with type O blood (both + and -) to come in as soon as possible. Thanks to the amount of blood drawn yesterday, others are being asked to wait.

Please keep in mind that blood is highly perishable. The supply will have to be replenished many times over in the weeks to come. The need for donations will be ongoing.

Remember, you are eligible to donate whole blood once every 56 days. Platelets can be donated every 3 days. And, you can donate platelets several days after a whole blood donation as long as your iron levels are sufficient.

If you've already given whole blood please consider a platelet donation. If you are an eligible donor and have not yet donated, please do so in the near future.

I am not a medical professional, but I do have years of experience donating blood and recruiting donors. If you have any questions about donating I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability.

Sara

cristina1 · #27 09-12-2001, 11:21 AM

Although I cant donate blood because I am pregnant, I am encouraging everyone I know to do so. They said the need for blood will be on-going, so even if you cant do it right now, you can hold off until next week.

I also heard the plead for O blood, whether + or - and I believe they will take anyone with that blood type first.

They said on the r