Thread I gave blood today

Dory Berkowitz-Bukowski

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Oct 15, 2004
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First ever time I've done this, my arm kind of hurts but I got free biscuits and the knowledge that maybe it will help someone. I think I'll do it every 3/4 months. Anyone else donate anything? Some of the doctors were discussing that some people donate bone marrow/platelets but that seems a lot more invasive.
 
Speaking of exclusion though it seemed rather homophobic to me and that really got my back up. I would automatically have been denied the right to donate if I'd ever had sex with a guy who has had oral or anal sex with another man EVEN if they used a condom. I questioned the doctor on this and her reply was because 'gay anal sex is rough and things can tear'. I said 'uhhh.....women have anal sex too', she said 'it's not as rough'. I gave her a :wtf: look.
 
I am barred from giving blood because I have slept with a man since 1977.
 
Speaking of exclusion though it seemed rather homophobic to me and that really got my back up. I would automatically have been denied the right to donate if I'd ever had sex with a guy who has had oral or anal sex with another man EVEN if they used a condom. I questioned the doctor on this and her reply was because 'gay anal sex is rough and things can tear'. I said 'uhhh.....women have anal sex too', she said 'it's not as rough'. I gave her a :wtf: look.

John Kerry submitted a bill to remove that ban actually, so we will see where that goes. Probably the same place as DADT or ETNA, or DOMA.
 
I'd love to donate stuff, but while I'm alive it isn't really an option. When I die my body will be donated to research. Bone marrow donation can be very invasive, but it can't hurt to sign up for a bone marrow registry. They just do a DNA swab to sign you up and then contact you if they need your bone marrow. You can decide at that time if you are in a position to be able to do it. It can be a lengthy process and can be extremely painful, but the flip side is that you can save someone's life. Lots of people who have the kind of cancer I had need bone marrow transplants to keep going. I volunteer with the bone marrow registry here sometimes. Awesome you donated blood though!
 
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This. They didn't ask anything about any heterosexual sex I'd had. I didn't tick the 'slept with a man who has slept with a man' box because really I can't be sure and I don't see that it matters.

The ruling was a gut reaction to when the AIDS epidemic started and the testing they did on the donations was inadequate so people getting transfusions were getting infected. Lots have changed since then, but this still hangs around.
 
I'd love to donate stuff, but while I'm alive it isn't really an option. When I die my body will be donated to research. Bone marrow donation can be very invasive, but it can't hurt to sign up for a bone marrow registry. They just do a DNA swab to sign you up and then contact you if they need your bone marrow. You can decide at that time if you are in a position to be able to do it. It can be a lengthy process and can be extremely painful, but the flip side is that you can save someone's life. Lots of people who have the kind of cancer I had need bone marrow transplants to keep going. I volunteer with the bone marrow registry here sometimes. Awesome you donated blood though!

I would sign up for the bone marrow register but I don't think my bone marrow is that great and I'm not sure I could afford the time and lengthly process work wise. Might sign up just incase though, bet you have a small chance of ever getting called and work wouold be sympathetic.
 
The ruling was a gut reaction to when the AIDS epidemic started and the testing they did on the donations was inadequate so people getting transfusions were getting infected. Lots have changed since then, but this still hangs around.

Yup, it really annoyed me to be honest.

I actually know a woman who had a transfusion in the 70's and is now dying from hep. :/
 
so what's the fucking point? they don't want to spread homo DNA?

Pretty much yeah. It also says 'Have you ever accepted money or drugs for sex?' and I was tempted to tick yes and argue that every woman has inadvertently accepted money in return for sex.

So if you prostitute once they care, but you can whore about with no money involved and it's fine.
 
I'd love to donate stuff, but while I'm alive it isn't really an option. When I die my body will be donated to research. Bone marrow donation can be very invasive, but it can't hurt to sign up for a bone marrow registry. They just do a DNA swab to sign you up and then contact you if they need your bone marrow. You can decide at that time if you are in a position to be able to do it. It can be a lengthy process and can be extremely painful, but the flip side is that you can save someone's life. Lots of people who have the kind of cancer I had need bone marrow transplants to keep going. I volunteer with the bone marrow registry here sometimes. Awesome you donated blood though!

To be honest I am surprised they let women donate, with the fear of weakening bones even more prior to osteoporosis. Maybe there isn't that high of a concern, though.