I used to do the plasma thing. Twice a week, every week for about a year. Things changed in my life where I sadly have less time for that right now. My sticking point is that they still don't allow gay people to donate. Hetero people can be super promiscuous and can donate unless they know they got something, but a gay couple have sex once and can't donate for a while year...

I donate platelets regularly. It takes a couple of hours so I usually grab a movie from Redbox beforehand so I'll have something to entertain me while I'm hooked up to the apheresis machine. It's very fulfilling when the nurses tell me things like "You just saved the lives of 3 cancer patients today!"

I have my 3 gallon pin from the red cross, however I haven't been able to donate to them for the last several years. About 7 or 8 years ago, they changed the screening test they use to detect syphillis. I have some autoimmune things that trigger a false positive for syphillis. The red cross has to do a more determinative test, and of course I don't have syphillis, but they are required to throw the blood away, even though it's as clean as a whistle. So they sent me a nice letter asking me to NOT donate, and encouraged me to send money instead. I've made calls and written letters, but there is no way around this as far as they are concerned. It pisses me off, because I am like you, it should be a humanitarian act that everyone performs.

I have done, and intend to in the future.

Yeah I give blood regularly which is usually red blood cells or plasma these days. It's purely selfish for me though, if I don't keep the other folks with my blood type alive and need blood one day, I'm screwed!

I want to, and I used to, but I'm not allowed any more. Narcolepsy raises too many safety red flags for them, it seems. ?

I wish I could. I found out when testing to give my dad a kidney could not be a donor or give blood. Some inactive marker or something of something (hepatitis?) that I can’t remember 15 years later.

I give platelets as often as I can - it's a 2 hour time commitment that is well worth it. If a larger percentage of eligible donors actually did - we would never have a blood shortage. Here in the Orlando area, after the horrific Pulse shootings, there were lines out the doors of bloodmobiles and donor centers - such a great coming together of community. Now, 2 years later, we are donating in memory of the victims of that night. But it does not need to be a special event. As @BucketlistBob says so well - help the child, or the parents of the children!

I gave blood until they told me I had to stop due to my low iron,
and strangely enough, I'm not even American.

I did when I lived in the city bit now I love 500kms away from the nearest donor clinic

I havent because they had a restriction for people with tatoos and I didnt have proof of where I had gotten mine - which was a safe and clean shop. I think they have removed this now so I need too.

Yes, I gave blood until I was physically unable to anymore

I gave often, before I became chronically ill. It’s a great service to others.

When I lived in a more populated area I gave blood all the time, as well as plasma. Being the universal donor, I always felt it important to give back to the world in this way. Unfortunately, since moving to a more rural area, AND being told I shouldn't give anymore due to low ferritin, I no longer have the option, as the health care facilities do not have the equipment to take plasma donations, which would be possible in spite of the issue with my blood.

Oh, and I am also Canadian, eh?

They will not take mine because of diabetes?

I used to give at least twice a year. The last time I gave I was screened out and haven't bothered since.

I used to give, I have O- which is in high demand but I got tired of waiting in line for two hours.

I used to

Never blood..I'm O negative...I can't afford to be so generous. Plasma yeah.

I have my five gallon pin from donating blood over the years. I haven't given in a while, though.

I have but I don't know if I can anymore due to the prescriptions I take now.

I did the plasma route when I was in California, especially when things got rough and I needed cash. Only legal way to sell a part of my body to help others. ?

My childhood as a military brat actually puts me in a group that is not supposed to donate.

My dad was stationed in Europe from 1976 to 1980 and the military bases over there got their meat from England. We fell in the time window for 'mad-cow' concerns.

I used to but after I came back from Egypt in 1998 there was a quarantine period so it was a case of don't call us we'll call you. I haven't heard back. But since I'm now diabetic as well they probably won't ever.