What is your blood group?

[qwertyMike]

I only ask this because they call me every 6 weeks to donate blood(Canada)
I'm A negative.

I go, but I always seem to go into shock they tell me.
Not that I notice

Mike

[quip]

1. Universal donor

O neg

[zingaro]

8. Me too. nt

[MassLiberal]

50. ditto

[Thirtieschild]

58. me too - o neg

but they won't let me give blood because I had "yellow jaundice" twice as a child. (Pretty sure the first one was a bad case of mono; the second may have been Hepatitis A, which isn't passed on in blood.) I even paid $90 for a test to prove that I didn't have Heapatitis B or C, but they still won't let me donate. I feel bad when the calls go out for O Negative blood. BTW, I had four children with no problems - husband is O pos - although they made me get tested every two weeks with the fourth.

[meow2u3]

74. Me 4

I'm also O-. I can give blood to anyone but can't receive from anyone but fellow O-'s.

[Xipe Totec]

2. A+

Tough the wait period in the US is 8 weeks.

6 weeks?! That may have something to do with you passing out. :scared:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear qwertyMike...

Every six weeks?

It's every eight weeks here in the States...

A neg is not too common, but still is needed...

Go after you've eaten well, but not immediately after...

And be sure to get lots of fluids and don't skip meals after!

(I'm a nurse...)

My blood type is O positive, the most common.

I donate my platelets instead of my blood.

Those are in even more critical shortage than blood is...

Thank you for donating!

:yourock:

[qwertyMike]

5. Rh Negative

Is only 15% of the population.
I think they need it for pregnant women to stop them rejecting their 2nd child.

I don't pass out - a nurse comes around and looks at me - apparently I get very pale and have beads of sweat. I tell them to hang on till it hurts too much.

But they say they can still use whatever blood I gave, especially the serum.

But then I get a good nap afterwards.
Just can't say no.

It's Canada so I don't get paid or anything.

Mike

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. We don't get paid for giving blood here, either...

People can sell their plasma here, though...

Try eating as I suggested above, and see if it helps any...

You are doing something remarkably wonderful!

Thank you...

:hug:

[Skittles]

13. all RH neg blood is 15% of the population - A neg is just 6%

at least here in America :D

[havocmom]

37. My folks both had A-. When we would move to a new town, contacting blood bank was job 2;

right after visit to power and phone companies to get those turned on, and on the way to get us registered for school.

They ALWAYS let the blood bank know how to get hold of them in case there was an immediate need beyond their regular visits to donate. They were asked to come in to give for a young kid who had to have heart surgery (it was rare and dicey in those days). They gave, then gave some more WAY before the usual waiting time. I recall they got postcards for quite some time, giving them updates on the patient's recovery and road to a normal life. That always made my mom's day!

Dad made too much blood anyway and giving blood made him feel better. Once, he went down to the hospital lab to donate when they were visiting my grandmother in the hospital. When he came back to Grandma's room, the nurse was changing the old glass IV bottle.

Dad felt whoozy, which was NOT normal for him, He asked the nurse what size bottle she was hanging, as that was the size they used to draw from him. She almost threw him into a chair and went into action, juice was ordered and she had his head down, pressing on the back of it.

It was a quart bottle (yeah, THAT long ago LOL). Seems just prior to my dad walking into the lab area to give some blood, ER just got victim of a BAD accident and they called for all the A- anyone could muster. The lab tech knew my dad and figured he could stand to give a bit more than he usually did. LOL

So my dad got to experience what many people do when they give blood, but it took being a quart low to bring it on.

My husband is also A-, which is handy. We are each other's blood bank, unless we both are involved in a wreck, in which case, my siblings get tapped.

I always wonder about that little boy who had that heart surgery. I hope he is well. He would be just a couple years younger than me. I know that is why Mom always loved those postcards. She would read them, then look at my kid brother and I and just look so very peaceful.

Give it if you can, folks. It matters. And if you have a rare type, chances are they need you to give as often as you can. Not too many donors to pick from for those rare types.

[fight4my3sons]

55. I am A- and had to have shots at the end of my pregnancies.

Rhogam shots or something like that. My youngest are three now so I don't remember the particulars.

[Generic Brad]

4. You're not asking just to line up vampire victims I hope

Because I will not allow my blood to be sucked if I can help it.

[Skittles]

14. would you expect to receive it if you needed it?

:D

[KitchenWitch]

7. A Negative - cannot donate though...

history of lymphoma prevents me.

[Zephyrbird]

9. A-

Cool to donate. You don't happen to like gardening and nature do you...?

I know it's weird to ask--but if you do, I have a story for you and other As.

Zephyr

[qwertyMike]

18. As a matter of fact I do

I love gardening, and Nature of course.
Why do you ask?

Mike

[Zephyrbird]

72. Okay, it goes like this.

My friend knows this whole story (she read the book-I don't think it's a recent publication), but I'll give you the abreviated version.

A physician and his son were doing research on how best to get people healthy at their sanitarium. they prescribed the same diet, heavy on fruits and vegetables, and the same exercise regime, for everyone there. As the months went by, they noticed some people thrived, some not so much, and some became ill.

Trying to find out what the problem was, and believing in "humours" of the body, they began researching blood types. Here's what they came up with.

People with blood type A, whether - or +, had ancestry of an agrarian, settled, life.
"As," they proposed, were the ones who learned to farm the land, graze animals, and lead a life tied to the land. These people were from the British Isles, France, middle Europe, and Spain.

Blood type "B" were northern European, Scandinavian. Think Eric the Red, Thor-hammering, Hun-like kind of meat eaters that would often raid other countries and sea towns for food, slaves, and general rampaging. These researchers came to the conclusion that "B" types needed a higher than average meat content in their diet.

Blood type "O" were folks from warmer climates such as southern Spain, Italy and Africa. They were the wanderers, traders, merchants, who needed a more balanced diet.

"AB" came from a happenstance combination between "settled farmer" and "barbarian raider," accounting for, as they said, its rarity.

How does that translate into today? Well, if you say "I've got nature and gardening in my blood," chances are, you do. Many "As" are now involved in the preservation of the purity of our food sources, involving themselves in heirloom gardening, local food markets, and supporting seed preservations by buying seed or plants that are heirloom.

Who are they protecting it from? Well, take a look at big corporations attempting to control food sources. Most "B" barbarians translated into big executives and politician-types. These are the ones who attempt to control food sources as a way to control populations.

"O" types are adaptable, recognizing the threat posed by the overwrought "B" type personalities, yet not wanting to grub in the dirt. So, they often support farmers' markets, go to orchards, and read a lot of books on how to improve their health. They chafe at any restriction of their choices, and are vocal about "B" types intruding into their lives.

"A", if they are into growing, tend to quietly band together and stay under the radar of the "B" corporate-types in order to undermine, as much as they can, the control of "B" types through exchange of product not controlled by B. Peasants are so rebellious!!! Always trying to get away with fooling their overlords!

I waited a while to post this to see what blood types we have here, and you can see the preponderance of As and Os!! The rebellious peasants and sneaky merchant class, trying to throw off the chains of the oppressive Bs!

No offense to our few B folks here!!!!!

Ain't that interesting? I ask this question a lot, just for curiosity's sake, and find it pretty relevant.

Zephyr

[calico1]

80. I was wondering if you were referring to the

"Blood Type Diet." I actually have the book. I am a vegetarian and actually do feel better on it.

[calico1]

44. A- here too.

What is your story? :)

[FloridaJudy]

10. O positive

The most common type. They like me at the blood bank, but they don't get aggressive about it.

We don't get paid for whole blood here in the US, but I have sold plasma when I was really broke. The blood bank, on the other hand, gives you lots of cool t-shirts and coupons for local businesses - I think the businesses get a tax break for them.

[Skittles]

11. O neg and I donate platelets every two weeks

26 gallons since I've been in the DFW metroplex

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. A+

Type A personality tendencies, too. :rofl:

[Missy Vixen]

15. AB negative, and too much of a baby to donate...

I have ze rolling and exploding veins. Let's just say that everytime I have to have blood drawn at the doctor's office, they go straight for any member of an IV team they can scare up. ;-)

Julie

[qwertyMike]

16. AB Negative

The rarest blood group.
But you are a Universal acceptor - they can transfuse you with any blood group.

[gbate]

48. Also AB negative here. I suppose I should donate but too chicken also.

I'm not afraid of a blood test, but I don't need that woozy feeling after a blood donation.

[China_cat]

17. B neg

[buzzard]

19. A positive and I also get those calls, my husband does does plasmapheresis it is a bit more

time consuming. Mike I was wondering where you would reccomend staying in Halifax I am taking my son to visit Kings College and Dalhousie if I remember right your son is at Kings.

[enigmatic]

20. This one

:D

[LeftyMom]

21. O+ Normally I'm a regular donor, but I have to wait a while because of my tattoo.

I'm lucky enough to be one of the people who has a really easy time donating, I have big fat veins that don't hide or roll and I fill up a bag really fast. I just have to be careful to eat a lot of iron rich food before I go in, as my iron tends to be right on the margin of allowable donations, and they have to go spin it in the centrifuge which takes a few minutes. If I eat well beforehand I can usually avoid the added hassle.

But I can't donate again until November, even though I know my artist and he only used single-use needles and other sterile goodies on me.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. Check with your local Red Cross or whoever you donate with...

I think the rules have changed on tatoos...

I don't believe it's a year's deferral any more...

But check to be sure...

:hi:

[LeftyMom]

26. I'll call and doublecheck.

I just googled and saw that some places had relaxed the rule on that one. Seems like a good idea to me.

[puerco-bellies]

22. My blood group is Z

Zombie



Same thing with my cat.

[The Animator]

78. HELLLOOOOOOOOOO ZOMBIE!!

I'm sorry, what were we talking about?

[Fox Mulder]

23. AB+

[PassingFair]

69. I am AB+ (We are 3% of U.S. population...)

U.S. Blood-type Distribution

* O+
38 percent of population
* A+
34 percent of population
* B+
9 percent of population
* O-
7 percent of population
* A-
6 percent of population
* AB+
3 percent of population
* B-
2 percent of population
* AB-
1 percent of population

[Richard Steele]

25. Iron based. nm

[Mezzo]

27. I have good advice for a blood type

"B Positive" and my birthday is a command: March Fourth

[Beausoir]

39. That's cool.

[Mezzo]

41. I think so too

there must be something in my make up that supports being so bubbly. :)

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

28. A+

Naturally - with my stellar academic record, what else could mine be? (I kid)

I used to donate blood all the time, but over the last few years the phlebotomists have had a terrible time getting blood just for blood work, so I'm afraid to donate anymore. Half the time they have to use a vein in my hand because it just won't come out of my arm anymore.

[Orsino]

29. O+ and "baby saver" here.

But I can't donate anymore because I lived in Germany for a few years. Mad Cow fears. :shrug:

[lizerdbits]

84. Same thing for my BIL

too much time working in Europe. Too bad, he's O-.

[EstimatedProphet]

30. O+ but I can't donate, so fat lot of good it does me

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

31. O-pos and it'll be 16 weeks between donations

I gave "double-reds" last time. Interesting process. It takes a little longer, but then I don't have to answer all those questions for 16 weeks. Every interview seems to send the nurse off to find an atlas when I answer the "have you ever been in ...." questions.

[DarkTirade]

32. I don't even know.

I probably should though.

[TZ]

33. You know, I don't know. But I can't donate

I have a bone marrow issue that causes too many and malformed platelets and sometimes to many WBC's. So no, I'm not eligible.
Such a nonissue I haven't bothered to ask my hematologist that I see every three months. I have too many other blood issues to worry about. But I should find out for the record, I suppose.

[NewWaveChick1981]

34. O-

:hi:

[racaulk]

35. O+

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

36. I don't know actually. I was going to donate at school today, but we got a snowday.

[Beausoir]

38. I am B+ yet I can't donate. I've tried and tried but with fair skin and redhair, my veins refuse to

cooperate.

Everytime it's the same. We get a 1/4 bag and then it dries up.

Too bad, too, because my bloodtype is pretty rare.

[Connonym]

40. I can confirm that I do, in fact, have blood

O positive actually. Stopped being a blood donor after my medical/surgical history got so complicated that they needed to practically hold a staff meeting every single time to determine my eligibility. I miss the cookies but I don't miss the gigantic bruises from those needles.

[distantearlywarning]

42. I *think* I'm an A-

I can't donate, though.

For some unknown reason, I have very low blood pressure, sometimes low enough in the mornings that I pass out if I stand up too quickly or don't eat breakfast. I've talked to several different doctors about it, because I don't think it's normal, but every one of them has brushed me off - they seem to think I should just be happy because it's not too high (I'm overweight). But having low blood pressure causes me a number of problems too, on a daily basis! Darn doctors...

But anyway, donating blood just exacerbates the problem. The last time I gave blood many years ago, I was so light-headed afterwards that I couldn't walk out to my car, much less drive. It was bad. They also have trouble finding veins on me - when I get blood drawn for thyroid tests, sometimes they have to stick me multiple times to find anything.

My husband donates faithfully every 4 months or so, so he makes up for both of us.

[1gobluedem]

43. O positive

I can't donate blood, though, because I have clotting issues. Mine doesn't clot very well.

[SacredCow]

45. O+ n/t

[dembotoz]

46. red

i do donate
or have in the past.
have had a bunch of colds so I haven't since summer

blood ctr told me but i do not remember.
as long as they remember....

[evlbstrd]

47. Bloodrock

[Dora]

49. O neg, and I've never been allowed to donate.

Borderline anemia. Doctors say I'm "normal," blood drives tell me I'm anemic.

:shrug:

[joneschick]

51. A+

I've been a regular whole blood and platelet donor for years. As a matter of fact I did a matched platelet donation on Wednesday. Gotta feel good about that. The downtown location has much better snacks than the out lying places. Sigh. I'm well into the gallons, having been giving around 30 years.
A tech at the blood center told me a while ago, that I may be barred in the near future as they are finding serious issues for recipients getting blood from donors that have had 3+ pregnancices. Apparently, we build certain antibodies that can create critcal conditions. Anyone in the health biz know anything? :hi:

[LynneSin]

52. A+ - haven't donated since they banned me for a year

Turns out my trip to Costa Rica put me in a high risk group and I haven't donated since then.

[fight4my3sons]

53. A-

not allowed to donate though because I have a clotting disorder.

[lizziegrace]

54. A+

so is Lelapin and her father and his brother and parents. 6 blood donors if one of us ever needed it.

[Iggo]

56. According to my HS biologty teacher...

....my blood is blue on the inside, and red on the outside.

Other than that, I couldn't tell ya.

[suninvited]

57. I am A+ and donate regularly

when I was in Pensacola they would call and remind me, but they dont here so I dont go as often.

What do you mean you go into shock? Doesnt sound fun !

Once, right after Hurricane Ivan they called me and asked me to donate as soon as I was I could. I told them that my car had flat tires because of all the junk in the road but I would ride my bicycle (about 5 miles). I almost made it home after donating, was about 3 blocks from my apartment when I stopped at a light and realized I was going to pass out. I made my way to a bench in front of a dressmakers shop, and passed out. The owner of the shop was inside cleaning up her damage and came out to help me, she couldnt understand that I was okay and that I had just donated blood and fainted for a minute (she spoke little english). She called 911, broght me in her shop and gave me water and a cold rag. I was fine, but sure felt foolish when emergency vehicles started arriving !!!!

[Samurai_Writer]

59. B Negative

It's the second rarest blood type. AB Negative is the rarest.

[bikebloke]

60. I have no idea.

Though if I spring a leak, it comes out red....if that's any indicator. ;-)

[TexasLady]

61. O+ but havent been able to donate since

I was 30, and told me for the first time that I had high bp. Still have the stupid disease, but controlled finally.

[Shell Beau]

62. A negative also!

[dropkickpa]

63. A+

I'll be able to donate again in October (had to wait 5 years after cervical cancer). I'm kind of worried, though, because phlebs have been having issues getting blood lately (I am NOT counting the grind and hunt lady who gave me a huge hematoma). Should I have another health issue pop up, I don't want to end up a pin cushion while they're hunting for access. But I know I will give, at least during the drives here at work, they give us coupons good for a free lunch at the cafeteria!!

[ashling]

64. I'm a Virgo

:eyes:

[youthere]

65. Bloodtype trivia:

Blood type is inherited, just like eye color.

Certain blood types are more common in certain countries. In China, over 99% of the population has Rh+ blood.

Different kinds of animals have different kinds of blood. Dogs have 4 blood types; cats have 11; cows have about 800.

Some people think blood type tells about personality. Legend has it that Type A is calm and trustworthy; Type B is creative and excitable; Type AB is thoughtful and emotional; and Type O is a confident leader.

In Japan, the idea of blood type as personality type is so popular that Japanese ask “What's your blood type?” about as often as Americans ask “What's your sign?”

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0877658.html

[DS1]

66. garlic

[ceile]

67. O+

My whole family is "O" except my dad-AB+ I think.

[grasswire]

68. this thread is interesting

I never realized how many people have so many different things going on that won't allow them to donate.

A- here. Can't donate because they can't ever get a good enough vein -- small, rolling veins. They told me to stop trying.

[TexasBushwhacker]

70. My blood is optimistic - B+

I can't really say the rest of me is ....

[JVS]

71. O +

[Mugu]

73. A+

Donated blood for years, but they won't take it anymore due to BP that I can't get under control.

Regards, Mugu

[Fleshdancer]

75. A+ n/t

[qwertyMike]

76. Here in Canada

It's also a free HIV test.

Not that apples to me :(

Mike

[Mike03]

77. My blood group is probably cancer the way things are going. NT

[Shine]

79. I'm a Universal Donor, but I've never given blood

I know, I know....I really should. :blush:

[lunatica]

81. O+

I just found out I've given 16 gallons since 1978. They call me like clockwork

[lizerdbits]

82. O+ and CMV-

I normally donate every 16 weeks but I got vaccinated for Tularemia for work so I need to call and check. Normally they say wait 8 weeks (since it's not FDA approved and considered experimental) but the nurse when I got vaccinated said they used to make people wait a YEAR after Tuli. It's only been 6 weeks so I'll have to call and check with them.

[Mendocino]

83. AB+

I have trouble with them findng a good vein. Once the tech stuck me in a tendon. Talk about pain! I tell them I'm happy to give, but I need someone who really has the skill. About two years ago I had surgery and it took four sticks for an IV. And that was in a hospital.