Why? How often? How do you feel after?

  • sga@lemmings.world
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    27 minutes ago

    Biannually. We have 2 big national holidays, and m blood donation camps are set in my university. (have donated 6 times till now)

  • gen/Eric Computers@lemmy.zip
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    1 hour ago

    As someone who has received a blood transfusion, thank you random stranger whose blood is now inside me!

    I want to “give back” somehow, but I obviously can’t donate blood (yet?).

  • Noxy@pawb.social
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    45 minutes ago

    Most of my life I’ve not been allowed to donate blood because I’m a man who has sex with men. I believe I can now, but after decades of ineligibility it still feels weird to think about.

  • hedge_lord@lemmy.world
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    2 hours ago

    I tried and found a cheat code! It turns out that if you pass out during the draw and then pass out again while recovering they’ll call and pay for a cab to take you home! They did imply that I shouldn’t come back for a while though…

    On a more serious note I had donated blood twice before that with less dramatic results. I like helping people and they give me free snacks afterward. I’d been going every three months because I was in university and had a lot of time for such things. I seem to feel quite tired for the rest of the day following a donation, which I found nice and relaxing. Needle anxiety (and my weak-ass hemoglobin level) aside, it was a positive experience and I’d recommend it!

  • 😈MedicPig🐷BabySaver😈@lemmy.world
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    2 hours ago

    Yes. I try to catch the blood mobile when it comes to town.

    I think it’s helpful to someone and I like to think of it as an “oil change” for myself. Generating a fresh pint.

  • SoulKaribou@lemmy.ml
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    2 hours ago

    Started last year and donated twice so far. The first time I got dizzy, so I did a half bag the next time and felt better. Felt better the second time, even after a long day at work.

    No specific reason other than feeling good about yourself and reap any health benefit to it, if at all. Surely it must be good somehow to stimulate blood creation ? I’m happy to do it, I feel a better person for it.

    You are weak the day and the next day, so better not plan any long hike or strenuous activities. But it’s okay for another long day in office.

  • rabber@lemmy.ca
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    4 hours ago

    In college we would donate then go get drunk off one beer at the campus pub then go to class

  • i_ben_fine@lemmy.one
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    3 hours ago

    I’ve tried three times and passed out twice. I pass out with simple blood draws, so they don’t like me at the Red Cross.

  • GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml
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    4 hours ago

    Yes. I used to donate the maximum amount of 4 times a year, but due to my inability to reasonably eat the required iron supplements, I’m now only allowed to donate once a year.

    I do it for a mix of reasons - it makes me feel good about myself, I get a gift and a little bit of food, and I’ve told myself that it’s probably not a bad thing to do health-wise, although the last one is completely unfounded.

    After having donated, I feel noticeably weaker when trying to do things like bike or walk fast. Usually nothing major, though.

  • remon@ani.social
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    7 hours ago

    I tried once. But they said they couldn’t take it in a bucket and wouldn’t stop asking where I got it from.

  • RebekahWSD@lemmy.world
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    4 hours ago

    Can’t, iron levels are always too low because I have to get blood drawn for medicine every 3 months

  • CAVOK@lemmy.world
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    6 hours ago

    I do. I donate as often as I’m allowed, which is about 4 times a year. The only effect I’ve felt is that exercise, especially cardio, is a bit harder. My time on a 5k run dropped noticeably.

    Donated 60 times in total so far, which means there’s more of my blood in other people, than in me. By quite a lot.