Sorry, I had to add that last part to limit the stories Lex could tell.  

Anyway, I have been denied the chance to donate blood a few times for various reasons (had recent vaccine, tattoo).   I think they ask a question about any participation in the hobby as something that would disqualify you from giving blood.  Am I wrong?  Do any of you just not tell them?

The question asked is whether you ever have had sex for money.  Excuse me, but is there a married man or woman who could answer "no" to that question?  In short, I do not tell them.  Nor do I tell that that I have been outside the US more than three months since 1980.

..because I'm below the weight limit.  I guess they don't think I have any to spare, not sure about that though!

Suzanne in San Diego

you have to fill out a questionaire. there are questions like "have you ever paid for sex?" (i always ask, 'does dinner and a movie count?')

if you answer any questions in the affirmative that place you in a statistical risk category (including tatoos, drug use, and hobbying)they do not refuse to take your blood, but they do code the blood so that it will not be used for transfusion (i speak of massachusetts hospitals, and red cross; policies may vary from state to state). also, after you hand in your questionaire, they will give you a couple of bar code stickers "use" or "do not use" in case you are too shy or embarassed to tell the technician that you like to bone crack ho's in the pooper without protection while shooting heroin and getting a tattoo.

if you donate blood and lie about your potentially risky activities - even if you think them to be less risky than popularly believed (as i do, for instance) - you are an asshole and deserve to die.

3/4 of YOUR body weight is heart!

 FR.

...the last time I donated blood I was with a friend who had hobbied some 10 years before (I had not at that point). They gave him such a grilling that, now, as a hobbyist, I wouldn't bother.

Since the whole idea is to "help", I would never consider not telling them I was a hobbyist.

-- Modified on 7/6/2005 8:26:35 PM

Now I can't pass the questionnaire and I don't see the point of giving blood that won't be used.  It's not worth the cookies or even the cute nurses.

Actually this is the final hurdle for me.  This is the last excuse that I utilize for not participating in the hobby.  You are deferred from donating for one year.

right, right one in the same!
Good show my friend.
Ashlee

And I luv you TOO, babycakes!
S

I cannot give blood
My teens suck it right out of me

B+

..when I was in college, one of my friends had a boyfriend who always wanted her to donate blood.  She was deathly afraid of needles (She would have fainted) and was always around the weight limit anyways, so every time he wanted her to donate, she would stop eating for a day, drop a few pounds and be under the limit.

He would have never understood her fear of needles anyways..

I thought teens sucked the life out of us, not just the blood!
S

Deserve to die?  Wow, don't hold back.  How exactly do you feel?  I can go along with misguided, but c'mon man, that's a bit harsh.

It's not an issue for me personally.  I faint 2x/yr at the docs office.  Willing isn't a word I know.