UK? Your screen name made me think that you spent much time in France, maybe even living there...
Somewhere along the line, I contracted hepatitis B, and can no longer donate blood. About five or six years ago, I went to the blood bank, and they told me I had hep B, and that they could not use my blood. c.i.
I've given over 4 gallons!
I'll give you some of the credits c.i.!
BillW. If you use "cicerone imposter," they're going to black ball your blood too!
c.i.
I'm just giving you blood credits c.i., not imposternating you. Actually, they are transferable and you get 1 for 1 on usage. Blood ain't cheap, ask my friend Lestat.
Too bad I can't return the favor. c.i.
Don't want none of that dirty blood. But, seriously c.i., you have paid me back in many ways. Thanks for all of it!
D'art, Haven't heard of any recent outbreaks of mad cow disease. Are they still checking for that? What's the incubation period? c.i.
C.I., I reckon they still are screening people out of fear of a mad cow disease outbreak. I was turned away just a few months ago, and I suspect they would have called me in if the policy had changed. I don't know if this is a national policy or merely local.
Had some venison stew at a party last night, so I may really be in trouble now. Hasn't affected my yet; at least I don't think it has!
these days they are screening for SARS...
Anyway, I gave again.
You should too.
sigh, everytime this thread comes up as a reminder, I have a cold. I have colds a lot. Damn germ bags.
That's what you git fer hangin out with them plague vectors...
CI - I remember hearing that the incubation period for CJD could be up to 10-20 years possibly.
BTW anyone, is it still true that blood donors in the US are paid for their pints, or has the AIDS thing stopped all that?
There is also a severe shortage of male bone marrow donors in the UK as well. I'm not sure how they get it out though!
Something to do with needles in the hip I believe.
The transplant procedure
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION
The bone marrow extraction, or harvest, is the same whether for an autologous or allogeneic transplant. Harvesting is done under general anesthesia (i.e., the donor sleeps through the procedure), and discomfort is usually minimal afterwards. Bone marrow is drawn from the iliac crest (the part of the hip bone to either side of the lower back) with a special needle and a syringe. Several punctures are usually necessary to collect the needed amount of bone marrow, approximately 1-2 quarts (0.9-1.91). (This amount is only a small percentage of the total bone marrow and is typically replaced within four weeks.) The donor remains at the hospital for 24-48 hours and can resume normal activities within a few days.
If the bone marrow is meant for an autologous transplant, it is stored at -112 to -320°F (-80 to -196°C) until it is needed. Bone marrow for an allogeneic transplant is sometimes treated to remove the donor's T cells (a type of white blood cell) or to remove ABO (blood type) antigens; otherwise, it is transplanted without modification.
The bone marrow is administered to the recipient via a catheter (a narrow, flexible tube) inserted into a large vein in the chest. From the bloodstream, it migrates to the cavities within the bones where bone marrow is normally stored. If the transplant is successful, the bone marrow begins to produce normal blood cells once it is in place, or engrafted.
So far as I know, there are, or at least were, places that paid doners. But, to my knowledge, American Red Cross isn't one of them.
They did have a raffle card for a pair of tickets to a pro football game. I declined... figured, yeah if I won, I could sell 'em... but it woulnd't be right to take 'em away from a doner that would enjoy 'em.
Most people give plasma for the $, can give every 3 days. Get about $35 a pop around these parts. I, myself, always donated. Then I noticed the people in-charge of the program are living in very expensive houses - hmmmmmmmmmm, one persons charity is anothers wealth :sad: BTW, this wasn't the American Red Cross
There are many reasons that they will not accept your blood donation. They will reject you if you have had cancer even if you have been cancer free for years.
