[Mike Irwin]

thinking to myself "What smells like Hoppes' No. 9?"

After sniffing around my desk for a few minutes, I finally realize that it's the rubberized wrap that's holding the bandage in the crook of my arm.

It smells like Hoppes...

[Bobarino]

Mike,

just want to say thanks for giving blood. peolpe like you saved my life. i've had over 100 transfusions due to leukemia several years ago, without which i would have died. so just a big THANKS! from someone who has benefited from the generosity of people like you. again, thank you...

Bobby

[Elmer Snerd]

I think that you just have Hoppes' in your blood.

:D

[einnor1040]

When you get home tonight drink you a couple of beers. You get a good buzz real fast after giving blood.

BTW I have gave 4 gallons.

[Ala Dan]

Thanks for giving the blood Mike; I haven't had the
occassion to need it, but I'm a universal donor
myself with O positive. I get called virtually every
time their is a disaster; and I don't mind one bit!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Mike Irwin]

Thing of it is, I really don't use Hoppe's that much anymore!

As for giving blood, I'm up to somewhere just over 2 gallons now. I started during the first Persian Gulf War.

I'm AB+, CMV-, so they trot out a 55-gallon drum when I come in to donate.

[Zundfolge]

Maybe they took too much and you're smellin' stuff that isn't there

:neener:

[10-Ring]

Thanks for the donation. I've only given blood a few times, need to do it again soon.

[bogie]

Dude! I'm AB+ too... The :cuss: vampires LOVE me...

[CZ-100]

Damn.. Another AB+ :what: Who says its rare????

Well when we need some AB+ we now know where to come ask for it. :D

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Good for you, Mike. I'm almost up to 10 gallons now. Keep up the good work. Belay that beer for a couple of days, though.

Regards,
Rabbit.

[illuminatus99]

I wish I could give blood, I'm underweight so if I try to give blood I tend to pass out. I'm an organ donor at least though.

[Intune]

Spread that good shooters blood around. THAT'S how we'll convert the anti's one by one. Works for vampires. :D


"Honey, how 'bout I take you & Chad down to the sports store and we see what kinda new guns have come in?" BAM! (Sound of wife hitting floor.)

[Felonious Monk]

Illuminatus: You're underweight? I should BE so lucky! :D

[Dorian]

BTW I have gave 4 gallons

Blood, beer or hoppes??????

:D

[Alan Smithiee]

thanks to all of you for donating (and try to take a friend next time!), I used to donate every 3 months and had cranked out over 5 gallons over the years (Brh-) , but am no longer able to donate, so if I need it it's gotta come from someone else...

[einnor1040]

Blood, beer or hoppes??????

Blood. A-

[Waitone]

I was told I'd be prosecuted if I ever pulled that stunt (giving blood) again.

Something about hepatitis.

I want to give, but I don't dare.

[4v50 Gary]

What's CMV-? I learned about A, B, O,+, -, and even heard of HIV :uhoh: but not CMV.

Wonder how many THRers have Hoppes in their blood. Gotta be an old timer thing as newer stuff like MilTech, CLP is popular.

[grampster]

Hoppes......would that be the hoppes in Budweiser or Labatt's? heh

:evil: :neener:

[einnor1040]

What's CMV-? I learned about A, B, O,+, -, and even heard of HIV but not CMV.

http://www.transweb.org/qa/qa_txp/faq_cmv.html

[mtnbkr]

I was told I'd be prosecuted if I ever pulled that stunt (giving blood) again.

The prosecute for that? Was it intentional or did you not know?

Chris

[Newt]

The most common type is O+. I'm O+ and if I'm a day overdue for giving, Red Cross is on the phone calling me. For good reason though.

Edit: Maybe it's just the universal donor and not the most common. I know it's the universal donor though.

Newt

[Bravo11]

Going on 4 gallons here.
I go about every 56 days, they call me like clock work.

[4v50 Gary]

Thanks for the link einnor1040.

[280PLUS]

is in the most demand because it is the universal donor

and unfortunately IRRC O+ is not a universal receiver, only O+ can be given to O+ people

this, i believe also causes it to be the type most in demand

m

[Selfdfenz]

"I'm AB+, CMV-, so they trot out a 55-gallon drum when I come in to donate."

That makes you universal platlete donor.

I'm surprised they haven't "stuck" you up for that as they really like platletes down at my blood bank and CMV neg donors are top of the heap as they can give to peps others can't. (tiny sick babies etc)

Squizzing the dam- rubber ball for 90 minutes is more of a PAIN than getting stuck twice IMO. The good deal is they can usually filter out two (or more) units of platletes per visit but never more than one unit of whole blood at a time.

Mike I. u d man.
I like to think God smiles on blood donors.
S-

[Mike Irwin]

What makes you think they haven't done the platelets, or accost me for them? :)

I don't do that often, though, as I have real problems with my elbow locking up after being straight for so long.

[Selfdfenz]

This makes me think.

Lots of times the centers will give you a t-shirt for donating.

If they gave ammo, I would be there every chance I got.

S-

[Gewehr98]

But I stopped letting them drill and tap for my AB+ when I went on flying status for Uncle Sam. It gets you grounded for a few days by the flight surgeon. Maybe when I retire in a couple years...

[Backwoods]

They won't take mine anymore. I had an undetermined(?) test result for HTLV. Not a positive test, just not negative either. Even after I had the hospital run another test which came back negative, still no dice. It's good that they are being careful with the blood supply, but it kept me from getting my 5 gallon pin.

I wear the first four pins on my NRA Life Member hat, every once in a while one of the sheeple notices and I get to gently chide them on thier preconceived notions about NRA/gun owners.

Don in Ohio

[mussi]

I'm AB+ as well and got called at least twice for giving blook for organ transplants. I gave bone marrow to a kid once to help to cure a disease I couldn't remember (no form of cancer, though).

[Dionysusigma]

Irwin, from the sound of your post, it looks like you may've given a bit too much... :uhoh: :rolleyes: :D

[Bowlcut]

where do ya all go to give? i got spoiled in school, just wait for the red cross or local blood bank to roll up like clock work. since moving here to nashville i have no clue where to give. guess i could go to a hospital....need to research it. im feeling gulity for not giving last time the blood mobile was at work.

[Betty]

Hmm. I don't really know what to do with this thread. Move it? With all the organ donating & blood stuff, it has potential for L&P.

I'd love to donate blood, but "they won't let me." I don't weigh enough. I weigh around 103-107 and you have to be at least 110. :rolleyes:

When I was 12, I remember a few weeks before my surgery the doc took two pints out of me so it could be used in my own surgery if I needed it. "Hey dad, is my face turning green?" Dad's face did, and he left the room. I watched the baggie fill up with A+ and didn't pass out.

I weighed 95. I weighed 72 five days after the surgery. :eek:

[einnor1040]

where do ya all go to give? i got spoiled in school, just wait for the red cross or local blood bank to roll up like clock work. since moving here to nashville i have no clue where to give. guess i could go to a hospital....need to research it. im feeling gulity for not giving last time the blood mobile was at work



Hey Bowlcut- the Red Cross is at 22nd and Charlotte.
327-1931

[MicroBalrog]

How did this get to L+P?:what:

[benEzra]

There seems to be a LOT of donors here on THR, which I'm glad to see. (I'm due again.) Out of curiosity, I wonder how the % donors here stacks up with the % donors at, say, VPC . . .

[MicroBalrog]

Yeah, imagine waking up after a bad car accident and discovering you have Sarah Brady's blood in you.:what:

[ACP]

Mike, are you sure it was the bandage and not the topical antiseptic?

Anyway, congrats to you. I used to be on the call list until -- due to my newborn -- I overslept for a Saturday morning appointment and showed up just as they were taking the interview tables down. "Sorry, we're closed," I was told. So much for their constant, unending "blood emergencies." :confused:

[Skunkabilly]

Bless you man, on some days depending what I eat (or don't) and how often I've used the head, I'm not even heavy enough to give blood.

[NC Shooter]

Mike,

Thanks for giving blood. I am approaching 6 gallons now and it is a good feeling to see others giving as well.
It is also very gratifying to hear from Bobby and others like him who have benefitted from blood doners.

Thanks to everyone.

[300lbGorilla]

ACP, I had the same experience.

Had an appointment, got there 15 minutes prior. Waited an hour and a half after my appointment time. They ran me through the testing and said I couldn't give today because my blood pressure was too high. I don't think I've seen a room full of people cower at a non-threatening response like they did with mine. I'm pretty sure all I said (although in a booming fear-o-God voice) was: "Oh, my blood pressure's too high? I guess sitting for two hours to do a good thing will do that to a person."

Like most good things, the govt. can screw 'em up right quick if it sets its mind to it.

Once I drop some poundage I'll get back out there and give... for some reason they get the REALLY good cookies at the blood drives.

Oh, and I'm AB+, too.

[Mike Irwin]

"Yeah, imagine waking up after a bad car accident and discovering you have Sarah Brady's blood in you."

Darling Sarah can't donate blood. She's had cancer recently.



"Mike, are you sure it was the bandage and not the topical antiseptic?"

Iodine does NOT smell like Hoppes!



And holy crap, folks, we've got a TON of AB+ people here!

I wonder if gun ownership and AB blood go hand in hand or something? :)

[Hawkman]

I'm O+ and CMV- as well. It seems like I always have a needle or two in me donating blood or platelets. Platelets takes about 80 minutes for me, and it is a nice break (watch a movie, no phone calls, etc.).

Plus, I love NutterButters!:p

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Not to stray too far off topic, but I heard a talk by a rep of the Presumed Consent Foundation a couple of weeks ago. They're trying to introduce legislation to ease the crisis in available donor organs for those who need them. You might have a look because it appears to be a very worthwhile cause.

http://www.presumedconsent.org

Regards,
Rabbit

[Bravo11]

I've got to go give blood next week. Does anyone pack at the donor center? I'm a little afraid my shirt might ride up when I get on the cot.

[Sisco]

I've been blacklisted by the Red Cross. Had symptoms of Hepititus a few years ago, even though all my tests came back negitave they still don't want it. Better safe than sorry.

[ACP]

Megcatia, a good pocket holster might be in order. You can get poked and prodded and shifted on those tables. Plus, the place is usually crawilgin with folks! I bring a newspaper or two to read/lay on my lap when I'm reclining...

[bogie]

Okay, guys - what are the blood types/percentages of the population? Looks to me like we've got a BUNCH of AB+ folks here, seriously out of proportion to the population at large... I'd like to do a poll, and see...

So, we've got A, B, O, AB, and are there +/- versions of all of 'em, or what? Been a while since biology class...

[Selfdfenz]

My center (not ARC, I don't do ARC anymore) has a sign on the door prohibiting firearms. No biggy. I don't carry in church either.


MI,
It is kinda strange that so many of us are AB+. It's on the rare side.

After the first couple of pins I stopped trying to keep count. That was years ago. I figure that out of all that blood and platelets at least one of those units actually saved a genuine life by now. I hope so anyway. I hope it was a kid.

Reading this thread and finding out just how many here from the "fraternity of shooting sports" are also regular donors makes me very proud of this group.
Very proud.
S-

[Mike Irwin]

OK, I'm going to post a poll about blood type...

[50 Shooter]

I called a couple of weeks ago to give blood, first question was "were you ever in the military"? Yes. Second question "were you ever stationed overseas"? Yes. Third question "in a european country"? Yes, Germany. Fourth question "When" From '85-'87.

They said "sorry" we can't take your blood because you've been overseas and we can't take a chance that you might have.... Get this, MAD COW disease!!!:rolleyes:

MOOOOOOOOOOOO

O+

MOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Mike Irwin]

50,

Yep, if you were in Western Europe for a total of more than 3 months over the past 20 years, you're excluded.

If I make one more trip to Europe I'll probably be excluded.

[JeanC]

I've donated a couple of times (A-), which is extremely amazing as I have a needle phobia (tho having to get thyroid blood levels checked every few weeks did help ease that eventually).

I can't donate at the moment as I am on anti-thyroid meds. Once I am off them I may or may not be able to donate then, it all depends on the blood bank.

The first time I ever donated I amazed the nurse how fast I filled up the bag. There was a guy who was ahead of me on the table when I got there and I was out of there well before he finished. I told the nurse it was sheer terror that had my blood filling that bag so fast :D I wanted out of there hehehehe (what prompted me to go in the first place even tho I would rather handle spiders then get poked with a needle was it was a blood drive for our secretaries niece who needed to have blood for seriously major surgery and we were helping to build up points for her at the blood bank).

[M2HMGHB]

I'm on the blacklist with the Red Cross due to chronic lyme disease. Thanks to all who donate, keep up the good work!

Scott

[benEzra]

My 4-year-old son has had numerous tranfusions (twice his blood volume in transfusions just this January) during his heart surgeries. Thanks to all for donating.:)

[IRONFIST]

I must say that I am conflicted about giving blood. On the one hand I must acknowledge all the good The Red cross does when disaster strikes and that it is funded by donations of blood. But on the other, I have read about how much they charge hospitals for that donation of blood that you give for free and how extremely lavish the compensation is for the upper echelon of the organization. I also remember how The Red Cross disposed of huge quantities of blood that they collected right after 9-11 and didnt provide the proper storage facilities for, and tried to keep it quiet. They also used monies allocated to them by the Federal government for direct disaster relief to upgrade computer systems that had been upgraded only a couple months before. When you are given a gift of my tax money I dont want you to use it for something other than its intended purpose. I am not trying to start a flame war and The Red Cross has done more to help out folks in need than just about any other organization that I can think of, but I have a few issues on how they run the business side of their charity. I just wish that they wouldnt charge hospitals so much for a bag of blood that could save a life, because the hospital passes that extra cost onto the non-indigent, paying patients and their insurance companies. A "free" gift shouldnt have a such a large price tag attached to it. I support the Red Cross, but am conflicted. Vent mode off and please resume your normal viewing activities. Thank you....

Michael

[Mike Irwin]

Ironfist,

I, too, have some significant problems with the way the Red Cross conducts its business at times, but I still believe that donating blood is the right thing to do.

If you don't want to donate through Red Cross, check in your area for hospitals that run their own independent blood services systems (Inova Hospitals in Virginia do this, and that's originally with whom I started donating when I worked for another employer).

There are also, in some areas of the country, private companies that will actually pay you.

A friend of mine has donated platelets and plasma in Iowa for a number of years. He's financed quite a few modifications to his 1971 Corvette that way. :)

The bottom line is, though, make your blood available for others who also need it.

[IRONFIST]

Mike, thanks for the heads up about possibly donating directly to a hospital. That is something that I plan to look into. I appreciate your understanding of how I feel about The Red Cross and not instantly bashing me. I can see why some people are such passionate defenders of the charity, especially when they and their loved ones are recipients of that help when it is needed the most. Thanks again...

Michael

[braindead0]

I'll happily donate, just like I do for every other cause..when I can take a tax deduction...

A lot of people make a lot of money pumping the stuff into folks.... I should at least get a deduction when it's pumped out...same with organs..

[Mike Irwin]

"I'll happily donate, just like I do for every other cause..when I can take a tax deduction..."

You CAN take a tax deduction for donating blood.

$0.00

Yes, people are charged a LOT of money if they have to receive a pint of blood.

But do you have any concept of the amount of money it takes to collect, screen, transport, and store that unit of blood?

[Waitone]

The cost of blood from the Red Cross is getting sufficiently expensive to reward hospitals and medical systems to begin their own collection and distribution programs.

Which brings up an observation. Why is it medical donations (blood and organs) are freebies to those doing the donation yet everyone and everything along the line of delivering blood and organs to those in need get paid (and at times well-paid)?

A donated liver nets nothing to the donar's estate, yet the hospital gets paid for implanting that liver, doctor's get paid for performing the surgery, medical supply companies get paid for supplies used in surgery. And so on.

Curious to me the only person not getting paid is the one who makes it all possible.

Seems to me the shortage of supply for organ and blood donations could be eliminated by practicing a little capitalism. Who knows, if I know my liver is worth $15,000 to my estate I might just think twice before going on a drinking binge.

[braindead0]

But do you have any concept of the amount of money it takes to collect, screen, transport, and store that unit of blood?

As a matter of fact I do, and all along the way people are profiting from the venture, doctors, nurses, etc.. The Red Cross even 'profits' in a way in that they get money that they can spend on advertising, helping people (which add to their name recognition)..etc...

Think about how much money people spend every year keeping their blood factory in operation??? I should be able to take a tax deduction of the fair market value of a pint of blood.. and a tax benefit should accrue to my beneficiaries if I were to die and donate organs.

On the other hand, the Red Cross wouldn't want this to happen as there would suddenly no longer be any 'shortages' that they could whine about and get free publicity and pity.

[Mike Irwin]

You're right braindead...

Intangible greed should be allowed to trickle down to the very bottom of the pyramid.

Don't do something because it's right, and helps someone else.

Do something because you get a financial kickback for it.

[braindead0]

Don't do something because it's right, and helps someone else.
Right is a matter of perspective.

Do something because you get a financial kickback for it.
You think the big wigs that run the Red Cross do it for free? How about the doctors and hospitals?

TANSTAFL

edit: Note the immediate switch to bringing emotional arguments to the table "cause it's right.." etc..etc. Sound familiar?

[bogie]

I suspect that a "pay for organ donation" program would RAPIDLY backfire... Somewhere, there's some poor sap who is depressed, and trying to feed his family... If he could just get the cash - hey, wait a minute, maybe worth more dead than alive!

Where's Arthur Miller when you need him?

[braindead0]

Imagine the welfare families spitting out more babies to sell, oh wait..they already do that to get more money.

I don't think it's any different that attempting to scam life insurance by killing somebody. Yeah, sure..people try it.. probably some get away with it. At least in this case somebody besides the recipient of benefits might get a needed organ.

I still think it could be workable as a tax deduction on the Estate, or a tax deduction for giving blood. Of course, then the poor who aren't paying any taxes anyway..wouldn't get anything... but they're probably getting medical from the Gubment anyhow so perhaps that's okay.

Places already pay you to donate Plasma... why not blood? What's the big difference here?

[Waitone]

I suspect that a "pay for organ donation" program would RAPIDLY backfire... Somewhere, there's some poor sap who is depressed, and trying to feed his family... If he could just get the cash - hey, wait a minute, maybe worth more dead than alive!. . . . . . and that is why we should immediately outlaw life insurance. After all, someone might get it into their head they are worth more dead than alive.

Its my liver, my corpse, my survivors. If I want to sell my organs after I'm dead, let me benefit. Either that or remove all profit from the delivery system. Hospitals get nothing, doctors do it for free, medical supply companies donate supplies. If I can't gain from my organs why should anyone else gain? Used to be that was called slavery but I guess the definition has changed.

[braindead0]

Used to be that was called slavery but I guess the definition has changed.
Yeah, now it's called the Gubmint ;-)

I think I accidentally usurped this thread by throwing in my 2 cents....

Of course, the subject kinda left it open:evil:

[Jeff Timm]

Damn.. Another AB+ Who says its rare????
Said Jeff....

Hummm, I'm AB+

Geoff
Who notes strange similarities..
Who has donated 61 Units not counting Military Donations. A little over 7 gallons.

[Gewehr98]

Why not get compensation for donating? When I read his reasons, this came to mind:

http://mauser98.com/bumgoodidea.jpg

(Not that I wanna give braindead any more ideas...) :scrutiny:

[IRONFIST]

Actually braindead0, I started the take-over of this thread when I criticized The Red Cross. That wasn't my intention, so I am going to back out of here very gingerly, trying not to knock over anymore dishes in the china shop and hopefully Mike Irwin and others won't start throwing pistol shots my way as I retreat. 'Bye all...

Michael