Do Letsrunners give blood?

bloodclot wrote:

quenton wrote:

What would be the difference on training(if any) between donating whole blood and donating platelets or plasma?

When you donate platelets or plasma, they put your red blood cells back in, so your blood's oxygen carrying capacity isn't diminished. Just drink a lot to replenish your blood volume, and you're ready to rock.

To give you an indication of recovery times, you're allowed to donate whole blood every 56 days, you can donate plasma every 48 hours, up to twice a week, and you can donate platelets every three days, up to 24 times a year.

So are there people on here that have donated plasma? Have you not felt any effects in your training? I could really use the $200+ per month that plasma can get me.

I have never donated, but I don't weigh enough..

There a a bunch of factual errors in here that should be debunked. Whether or not you donate blood is entirely up to each person, but at least make a decision based on real facts, not myths.-There are indeed many alternatives to blood transfusions (fresh plasma, albumin, hetastarch, lactated ringers, normal saline, and others). BUT- all of them are basically stop-gaps. They are used to rescusitate a person who has lost intravascular volume, be it through bleeding, dehydration, overuse of diuretics, or many other causes. If someone has a problem making red cells (leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, toxin exposure, or others) all of those things will do nothing. They do not have problems with the volume of fluid circulating, they need the actual oxygen carrying capacity of red cells, and if they don't get them, they die. -Most people never need a blood transfusion, so swearing them off as a Jehovah's Witness is probably never going to be an issue, but they can and do die from this. In my residency I had several patients who chose to die rather than get a transfusion- I couldn't understand it, but that was their decision.-Paramedics don't give blood because they don't have it on the rigs (you can't just carry it around- it expires quickly), and they don't have the capability to do the testing on it to ensure it is compatible with the patient. They give saline because it is safe and can buy a bit of time before definitive solutions are given.-Lastly, someone else mentioned selling plasma instead. That's a fine source of income, and I did it when I was a broke medical student, but just be aware that goes only to research. Only donated products can be given to patients, as there is too big a risk that people will lie about risky behavior to get their 25 bucks, and end up passing on hepatitis, syphillis, or other infections. The plasma given to patients comes from whole blood donations- plasma is spun off as one product, platelets as another, packed red blood cells as another, etc. So one donation can end up helping several patients. Off for my run, after donating this afternoon. Cheers.

As part of my Scandinavian training regime i donate blood about a month before every big race then about 25 days later I get it donated back to me.

Thanks for the info, dd. You answered several (potential) questions.

The Red Cross is back at my work tomorrow. My schedule calls for a track workout so once again I will find an excuse to not give blood. I think I will work from home to avoid my coworkers who will donate.

I use not give because a girl on my HS team who was a 2:15 800 runner gave blood just before the outdoor season of her senior year. She didn't break 2:30 that entire season. Now that I'm out of college and not serious about racing anymore, they won't let me give blood since I went to Africa for a few months. They are scared of my blood. So I've still never given. I will once I become eligable again.

I give blood several times a year, but I know several people (not runners) who have stopped giving blood due to the annoying phone calls from the Red Cross when they are eligible to donate again.

ronner wrote:

Now that I'm out of college and not serious about racing anymore, they won't let me give blood since I went to Africa for a few months. They are scared of my blood. So I've still never given. I will once I become eligable again.

Same issue here.

I was an active donor for a while. Apparently O negative, CMV negative blood was/is in demand. A year long stint in London during the mid 90's got me banned due to fear of Mad Cow Disease.

I dont give blood to the Red Cross. Its a multi billion dollar non profit organ. which pays no taxes of any kind. If they want my blood, they can pay for it out of their profits and/or the huge exec. salaries. Get a load of this:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/1/737519/-Red-Cross-Blood-Money

I give 3-4 times per year. Just do your workout early and have some food and some non caffeinated liquid.You should plan a light workout the day after. NO Alcohol afterwards for a few days. The feeling of doing something really worthwhile is very rewarding,

Donor wrote:

I give blood several times a year, but I know several people (not runners) who have stopped giving blood due to the annoying phone calls from the Red Cross when they are eligible to donate again.

The Red Cross flatly refuses to take me off of their calling list. I ask them to stop every time they call me. It's rude of them to keep calling, but I don't feel like I can be very rude to the volunteers who are just trying to help out.

only on the roads brother, only on the roads

(and yes, once per year at a blood drive)

I give blood every two months (A-). I try to run before my appointment and take the next day off. I've been taking my kids with me when I give blood since they were little. They look at it as no big deal and just something we do - although they could be in it for the Lorna Doones and OJ. Giving blood and filling out the organ donor information on the back of your driver's license are two easy ways to make a difference and potentially save a life.