[kokosas]

Blood, It's In You To Give!

Blood is one of the most precious gifts that you can give to someone; you can help save their life. McMaster is often the host to blood donation clinics through the Canadian Blood Services, which makes it easy for us students to donate. I strongly urge you to go out and donate blood, there is always a need!
Here are some of the dates that are coming up where you can donate on campus!

January 27, 2009 at MUSC in CIBC Hall between 10:30 AM and 5:00PM
February 10, 2009 at MUSC in CIBC Hall between 10:30 AM and 5:00PM
February 13, 2009 at MUSC in CIBC Hall between 10:30 AM and 5:00PM
February 24, 2009 at MUSC in CIBC Hall between 10:30 AM and 5:00PM
March 10, 2009 at MUSC in CIBC Hall between 10:30 AM and 5:00PM
March 13, 2009 at the McMaster University Medical Center (Hospital) in the Ewart Angus Center between 10:00 AM and 3:00PM
March 27, 2009 at MUSC in CIBC Hall between 10:30 AM and 5:00PM
April 07, 2009 at the McMaster University Medical Center (Hospital) in the Ewart Angus Center between 10:00 AM and 3:00PM

Tips for donating blood:

• Make sure you’ve eaten breakfast that day (or lunch if you’re donating in the afternoon) it’s very important and can make the difference between a good donating experience and a bad one.
• If you start to feel dizzy or sick during your donation, tell a nurse promptly, do not rough it out.
• Eat/drink what they offer you after you donate; it’s there for a reason! The sugary food helps you feel better after giving all that blood.
• Avoid exerting yourself for the rest of the day. You can continue your usual routine but avoid things like the gym.
• If after your donation you feel sick either go back to the clinic if they’re still there, stop by Campus Health or if you feel really, really sick call Security Services for assistance.

For more information visit the Canadian Blood Services Website!

[temara.brown]

eating breakfast before you go is pivotal.

[conster]

Afterwards, sit down every once in a while over the course of the day, especially if you have low blood pressure.

[KaesoPublius]

Oh how I wish they let me donate blood. Seriously, I spent a lot of time flushing the glitter out of my hemoglobin in hopes they would finally take it...but alas, no dice for gay men yet.

[kokosas]

Yeah, thats one of the things that really bothers me about CBS

[Chad]

They won't take you on the sole fact that you have told them you are not hetrosexual? Never heard of that.

[temara.brown]

I had never heard of it before someone had pointed it out to me too but it's true. When you go into that little booth and are asked questions, they do ask things like, "are you a male who has had sex with a male since 1973?" or something along the lines of that.

[kokosas]

I believe it's 1977 actually, but yes, they do ask you those kind of questions. You also get ones like "Have you had sex for money or drugs" or "Have you had sex with someone from _____ since 1977" I think the place is usually Africa but I can't remember.

Mind you, they don't care if you're a gay female, only if you're a male.

I'm sure the underlying concern is AIDS but seriously... just because you're a gay man doesn't mean you have AIDS and they screen all the blood anyway!

[sinthusized]

agreed with kokosas... they screen the blood anyways...

i want to donate blood

[kokosas]

There's going to be a clinic this upcoming tuesday in CIBC hall, the times are listed above, you should come if you can!

[ferreinm]

I'm donating in half an hour. I'm mortified. They should have tvs or something so you're distracted as you donate.

[yevenbother]

Hey, just a couple of questions if you guys don't mind,

1) The age to donate blood is 18 right, not 19?
2) Does it matter if you don't know your bloody type

I mean I think that it should not matter about your blood type because they can figure it out, but I really wanted to donate and would like to know the answers to these questions before feb.10th thank you

p.s. I'm sorry if there stupid questions, i just haven't done this before.

[kokosas]

Originally Posted by yevenbother

Hey, just a couple of questions if you guys don't mind,

1) The age to donate blood is 18 right, not 19?
2) Does it matter if you don't know your bloody type

I mean I think that it should not matter about your blood type because they can figure it out, but I really wanted to donate and would like to know the answers to these questions before feb.10th thank you

p.s. I'm sorry if there stupid questions, i just haven't done this before.

1) The age is actually 17!
2) They will tell you your bloodtype after you donate.You'll be sent a donor card with your blood type and all that jazz. As a first time donor they would test your blood for blood type anyway (I doubt they'd simply take your word for it).

Your questions aren't stupid so don't worry!!

[Quester]

Originally Posted by kokosas

1) The age is actually 17!
2) They will tell you your bloodtype after you donate.You'll be sent a donor card with your blood type and all that jazz. As a first time donor they would test your blood for blood type anyway (I doubt they'd simply take your word for it).

Your questions aren't stupid so don't worry!!

what's a donor card?

[kokosas]

A donor card is sent to you with a specific donor number that is attached to your name and information. It's kind of like a membership card. With that number they can call up your donation history, your blood type, etc. It's how you book future appointments and when you go to the appointment they scan your donor card. On the back of it you keep track of how many times you donated and when the last time was so that you can tell your doctor if you need to.