THOUGHT I'D SHARE THIS WITH Y'ALL....

[alandhopewell]

     I stopped off at t he Bloodmobile today; I was going to donate for the first time. Part of it is filling out a questionaire, which I did. One of the questions disqualified me from donating; I'll not say which one, although it should be easy to figure out.

     Over the years, I've been tested for HIV / AIDS three times, and have come up negative each time. However, I was told that according to the FDA, that doesn't matter-the fact that I engaged in such behavior does. Also, those who have visited certain countries, or served in the armed forces in certain locales, are also barred from donating, even though they have been shown to be disease-free.

     The worker told me that there is a simple test, used in other countries, that would be perfect for use in Bloodmobiles; however, the test is awaiting-you guessed it- FDA approval!

     If this sounds as silly to you as it does to me, please e-mail the Ombudsman  for the FDA at this address....

ombuds@oc.fda.gov



We were just hit with more tornadoes the other day, and they need all the blood they can get....they always do.

If there's no good reason to stop potential donors, then why do so?

[ER]

I used to donate regularly in college and got to know some of the workers, who really hated the rules that bound them. I was told they were instructed to "quietly" dispose of blood donated by people from the Caribbean, from Africa, and from anyone who "just gave them a vibe." There is or was also a box to check that said something like, "If you're being pressured to donate during a workplace or social organization drive and would like us to discard your blood or plasma, please check here." Really with the guidelines in place I am surprised anyone is left who qualifies to donate.

BTW, good for you for wanting to give blood and help others in need! 

[Allhallowsday]

It would be wonderful if more people were prepared to give, as you are. 

[ChaosTheory]

I donate and yeah, that screening process is a b***h. I know it isn't really funny but I can't help having to stifle a giggle every time I get asked if I've had sex with a prostitute in the last 12 months.   Thing is though, you know if somehow a bad batch got put into someone there'd be lawsuits into oblivion.  That's the society we live in, it's Cover Yourself First.

There is or was also a box to check that said something like, "If you're being pressured to donate during a workplace or social organization drive and would like us to discard your blood or plasma, please check here."

I haven't come across that; that's f'd up.

[Trevor]

I donate and yeah, that screening process is a b***h. I know it isn't really funny but I can't help having to stifle a giggle every time I get asked if I've had sex with a prostitute in the last 12 months.   

Agreed: when I donate, it is a four page form that we have to fill out and the questions that are asked make me go  sometimes. I go through it in a hurry and check all the boxes - once I was asked "Why did you check the box that says are you currently in your menstrual period?"