Giving blood for the first time on Thursday

[Dakota Sunrise]

Well my school is having a blood drive for the Red Cross on the 14th.:) Anyone 16 and older can do it (and of course there's other requirements too- must be at least 110 pounds and be healthy, yada, yada, yada), as long as the 16 year olds have their parents sign a permission slip. So anyway, I signed up.:)

I've never given blood before so I was just wondering if anyone on here has? I don't really know what to expect, but I'm okay with needles and the sight of blood doesn't freak me out so I think I will be fine. In fact, the only part of this whole thing that concerns me is that I read on one of the Red Cross posters that you have to have photo id to give blood. The sign up sheet just said "proper id", so I don't really know what I need. I don't have photo id.:doh: I'm planning on bring my driver's permit with me and maybe my social security card or birth certificate. Do you think that would count as proper id?:huh:

[peace_baby]

Do you have a school ID? They'd probably accept that if you have one.

The only thing is, it's better for you to eat something before you go because you'll get sick when you give blood. Usually they give you something, though. You'll be fine. :) I've never given blood but my parents and my stepdad are all in the medical field and I've seen and heard it all.

[root tootin' scoot]

I gave blood in March and I used my student ID. Its really not that big of a deal, dont sweat it :)

[Dakota Sunrise]

I don't have a student id.:doh:

Thanks for the tip, peace baby.:) I'll make sure I eat before I leave for school. I'm hoping to give blood 3rd period (9:45 to 10:27) because I have lunch right after that.:)

[peace_baby]

Hmmm.. I dunno about the id part, I hope you can get it figured out!

No problem. :) My dad gives blood every chance he gets and comes home to tell us about it lol. It's really nothing to worry about and the ones who have given blood at school say it's different (not bad though) the first time and that they give you juice and something to snack on usually. I still think it'd be a good idea to eat before you go though.

[FoxFireEMT]

I give blood on a regular basis. Like the others say make sure you eat something & take the time (they designate) to rest after wards. You may feel tired and wore out for a day but I typically after a few hours actually feel energized! Maybe just the mental feeling of knowing I did something good! :) Good Luck!

[carla]

Good for you! I also give on a regular basis. Every once in a while I feel a bit "gooey" afterward (lol), but it never lasts but a second and I wonder if it's more mental than anything. Once I get up out of the chair and on my way toward the cookies it's all good. :D

I also like to drink extra water the couple days before and then of course after for a few days. They'll give you paperwork for the after stuff, though.

edit: They'll prick your finger first and ask you 100+ questions, lol. It's a little annoying, honestly, but of course necessary.

Not sure about the ID, but they'll get you through it. They're really nice and thankful for your donation. Good luck, and can't wait to hear what you think about it!

OH- And be prepared for the size of the needle. ;) Nobody ever told me it would be so big and my eyes bugged out of my head the first time, lol! You're a tough gal, though.. that's why I know I can warn you of this. :cowboy:

[JackieB]

Bless you, Dakota. I've given blood numerous times. It's not bad at all. No pain really, and you get a cookie and juice afterwards.

[cloedoll]

I've always wanted to give blood but I don't meet weight or age requirement. -sigh-
I think that's great that you are though! :)

[Nicola]

Im the same as cloedoll, i really wish i could but i dont meet the weight requirement. As soon as i do though i will defiantley donate, i think they are doing a blood drive at school sometime soon.

[mare]

I donate every couple months at work. I usually drink a juice that they offer afterward and don't have any probs.

[luv2show]

Nice!!

I wish I could give blood, I don't weigh enough. :(

[iluvbo]

A drivers permit would be completely fine for ID. And it has a photo so thats a bonus. I wouldnt suggest taking your birth certificate or social security stuff. Too dangerous if someone gets ahold of it, and it could get lost..you'll need them later on for drivers license and passports and other stuff! :D
Good luck, its a good thing you're doing! :)

[Fork]

I volunteered for one (because I'm not even close to 110 lbs) and it was great! I'm with you Luv2Show. The interrogation process takes 20+ minutes because they need to ask you about your life and where you've traveled to, etc.

I'm proud of you! :)

[Dakota Sunrise]

Hey guys!:)

Thanks for all the tips and encouragement.:) I took my permit, birth certificate, and social security card and it worked fine- in fact they were very glad I had brought them.:)

The question-asking period did take forever (I pretty much said no to everything, lol. It was a waste of time), plus they checked my temperature, blood preasure (which was high because the whole medical profession scares me:rolleyes:), and pricked my finger to check my blood for something- I don't know what.:rolleyes: And when I first got there I had to drink two small bottles of water in a five-ten minute period- that's a lot of water!:doh:

It hurt quite a bit when they put the needle in, and my arm hurt all day- it's still sore now. But over all I did ok. The girl next to me got dizzy and sick. I felt really bad for her:(, and I was worried I would be next. The pamplet (sp?) they gave us to read said that most people are fine after giving blood, but the first time doner, the young, and the light-weights (anything under 130 lb), are more likely to experience dizzyness, etc. I fit into all three of those catagories, lol.:p
But I drank a juice box while they were taking the blood (one of the Red Cross people gave it to me) and I had lunch right afterward so I didn't get dizzy. After I left the library (that's where the Red Cross was set up) and went on with my classes, I didn't feel too well, but I made it through the day without passing out, lol. And I even played a little bit of football with some of the guys during gym, although I found out later that I wasn't supposed to dress out today because I gave blood. I guess my gym teacher didn't notice my Red Cross t-shirt and bandage, because he didn't tell me I wasn't supposed to do anything until we were heading back to the locker rooms after class.:innocent::rolleyes: But I didn't faint, so it's all good.:p And I ate some raisons and other stuff and drank some more water as soon as I got home so I'm feeling better now.

I got a t-shirt, a sticker, and a pink bandage out of the deal too.:p My school usually has two blood drives a year, so I'll get to donate twice next year.:) It was a good experience. I'm glad I did it.:)

[JackieB]

Good for you, Dakota! You're our hero for today.

[zoel_222]

Glad it went well for you! They never let me give blood because I have too many piercings :p

[carla]

Glad it went well! Yep- told ya the questions were annoying! LOL. As they say, "Thanks for giving" (or something along those lines, ;) ).

Oh- and the finger stick is to check your iron level. If it's too low, you can't give.

Zoel.. too many piercings? I've not heard of that being a reason for being turned away, unless it was within the past year I think.. is that what it is, the piercings being recent?