Dear Readers,

In this time of great crisis, the Red Cross has called for blood donations.  On another board, a well intentioned hobbyist urged people to go out and donate blood, not realizing the current screening policy.

I know that all of our hearts are in the right place, but in case you were thinking about donating blood, be aware that most of us will not qualify if we answer the screening questions honestly.  They will ask you if you have had sex with someone who has taken money for sex in the last year (or sometimes 6 months) if you have, they will reject you, and ask that your return in one year when you have a clean slate.

They do test the blood that is donated, but HIV cannot be reliably detected until 3-6 months after exposure, sometimes more, hence the the waiting period.

I know that most of us are very safe, but I agree with this policy, we take higher risks than the general population, and it is not fair to expose others knowingly to the higher risks we accept, even if we believe them to be negligible.

Please consider a monetary donation, or another form of support.

The following link describes blood donation policy.
http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/depts/blooddonor/guide.htm

Iceman

They do have guidelines for a reason.  I work at a hospital and worked the blood drive yesterday.  I drew so many people in such a short amount of time and the line seemed to go on forever.  We feel so helpless but there are ways we can help other than giving blood.  

Many providers and clients wanting to do "something" have posted that they have/will give blood.  I also thought this a good idea until yesterday at the drive it hit me, OMG...we should NOT be giving blood.  There are so many other ways to help.  Contact the Red Cross for ways to help other than giving blood.

Thanks Iceman for your post,
Kelli

Great post!!  

The very thought noted above occurred to me when I was asked to help with the blood drive at work.

Contributions to the relief effort in other forms are just as worthwhile as the period of recover will be lengthy.

.

Anemia works.  Won't take blood if you don't have enough for yourself.

-- Modified on 9/14/2001 8:08:17 AM

Do what you can to show support. If you know you are clean, donate blood. But wait. There will be a much greater need on the battlefield. Soon.

The red Cross and Salvation Army are going to be financially stressed shortly and monetary donations are needed.

To donate blood, call the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or America's Blood Centers at 1-888-BLOOD-88 to schedule an appointment.

To donate money to the Red Cross for assisting victims of the attacks, call 1-800-HELP-NOW or go here http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html

Salvation Army for helping the victims, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or 1-800-725-2769

Make a difference. You are either part of the problem or part of the solution.



-- Modified on 9/14/2001 1:05:51 PM

who feels the attacks were in some way justified.  For those of you who think I'm flaming this a*shole, I refer you to his post on the LA board, "Nationalism and Religion Suck."