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Chatham-Chick
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Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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For those who regularly donate blood?
Do you do Whole Blood or Platelets?
I never know which one would be more beneficial to the community/organization?
I feel like the employees at Red Cross aren't allowed to say which is "better" or in more need...or even if both are needed just as greatly. Maybe I should alternate each time I go?! 
Message edited 7/21/2016 10:37:50 AM.
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Posted 7/21/16 10:32 AM  |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: For those who regularly donate blood?
Neither.... 
I do the ALYX machine. It takes just the red blood cells. I have O+, so they really like when I donate that way.
Just like platelets, I keep the same quantity of fluid in my body, so I don't feel as light-headed.
With platelets, you can donate much more often than whole blood. With ALYX, you can only donate half as often as with whole blood.
Here is a nice page with descriptions of the different types of donations, and which blood types (if any) are preferred.
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| Posted 7/21/16 1:30 PM |
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Chatham-Chick
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Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those who regularly donate blood?
Ack...red blood cells is what I was thinking! 
I'm O+ as well, so I've been trying to share. I've been doing whole blood, but didn't know if I should start doing red blood cells (or even alternating). Does it take longer to donate compared to whole blood?
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| Posted 7/21/16 2:54 PM |
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Mags1227
Just a mommy ...
Member since 10/10 2665 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: For those who regularly donate blood?
Posted by GoldenRod
Neither....
I do the ALYX machine. It takes just the red blood cells. I have O+, so they really like when I donate that way.
Just like platelets, I keep the same quantity of fluid in my body, so I don't feel as light-headed.
With platelets, you can donate much more often than whole blood. With ALYX, you can only donate half as often as with whole blood.
Here is a nice page with descriptions of the different types of donations, and which blood types (if any) are preferred.
a friend of mine is same.
he donates the red blood cells usually every 6 months.
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| Posted 7/21/16 3:13 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: For those who regularly donate blood?
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Ack...red blood cells is what I was thinking!
I'm O+ as well, so I've been trying to share. I've been doing whole blood, but didn't know if I should start doing red blood cells (or even alternating). Does it take longer to donate compared to whole blood?
Yes, it does take longer, and some people don't like the fluids being put back into your vein (no pain, just slight pressure some times, and the anticoagulant sometimes makes my lips tingle). But, I like the fact that it's a 2 for 1 deal. It helps more people, and I have to go half as often, so the extra time it takes is made up in the long run.
If you're O+, I'm surprised they haven't asked you when you donate. Anytime I donate and they see O+, the almost always ask if I want to do the ALYX machine.
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| Posted 7/21/16 3:33 PM |
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SecretlyTTC14
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1770 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: For those who regularly donate blood?
Sometimes they ask me if I'd be willing to do red blood cells (I guess I look like I weigh more then I actually do) but I always end up donating whole blood. I don't weigh enough to do the red blood cells.
These are the requirements from the NYBC for red blood cell donation:
To qualify as an automated red cell donor, males need to be at least 5'1 and weigh at least 130 lbs. Females must be at least 5'5" and weigh at least 150 lbs.
Message edited 7/21/2016 9:38:24 PM.
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| Posted 7/21/16 9:36 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: For those who regularly donate blood?
Posted by SecretlyTTC14
Sometimes they ask me if I'd be willing to do red blood cells (I guess I look like I weigh more then I actually do) but I always end up donating whole blood. I don't weigh enough to do the red blood cells.
These are the requirements from the NYBC for red blood cell donation:
To qualify as an automated red cell donor, males need to be at least 5'1 and weigh at least 130 lbs. Females must be at least 5'5" and weigh at least 150 lbs.
And your iron count needs to be higher than whole blood donations. I forget the numbers, but there was one time my iron wasn't high enough for ALYX, but it was for whole blood. After that, I take iron pills for a few days before I donate, just to make sure.
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| Posted 7/22/16 8:05 AM |
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VeeJay
Love baby feet
Member since 2/09 2894 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those who regularly donate blood?
My sister always urges people to donate platelets. She needed a platelet transfusion several years ago, and they say that the supply is usually low.
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| Posted 7/22/16 11:07 AM |
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Nik09
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 1982 total posts
Name:
Nikole
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For those who regularly donate blood?
Whole blood. I never qualify for the red blood.
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| Posted 7/22/16 11:12 AM |
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