TYPE 'O' blood needed

They keep calling my friends daughter to give blood . she does it once a week. She is type O. Any brave ones out there? they need you!

Mings, isn't that a bit often? I think the blood bank here won't take it more than once a month. I am O Positive, and was certainly glad someone had donated when I needed several units after surgery and during chemo, but wouldn't want it to be overdone. I noticed just last night there was an article in the Austin paper about the supply being much too depleted for all types, and requesting that people come in. I always feel so helpless when I see those requests, because until I was sick, I never weighed enough and now I am not considered healthy enough. But if a child was critically ill, I would eat a dozen bananas, drink a gallon of water and never mention my medical history. Thank God for those who do give.

hmmmm Dont; know I just know that they call her all the time to donate. She just did it today. Will have to ask again how often she goes....MAN! I need a spell check!

This message was edited Thursday, Jul 11th 9:59 PM

Nah, I can understand you!

thats cuz I had to edit! I have to respell "AND " "THE "and one other word each and every time!lol I forget what the other word is. WHAT! that it WHAT!

I'm type O positive. I will give blood. I have been very lax about this, as I thought type O blood was very common and readily available. I will check into this around here. I know after my car accident, I used lots of someone else's blood, so it's definitely time for me to give some back. Thanks for the reminder.

You can't donate but once every 6 weeks here. It is important to donate when you can, that's for sure. So many people have never even tried it. Just takes a little while and it could make such a difference.


This message was edited Thursday, Jul 11th 10:35 PM

Joan, O positive is called the universal donor, because people with other types can use it but not others that are different from theirs. So even though it's common, it is in demand, because the number of people who have it are numerous and they have to use it, and then it is used by the others when their type isn't available. Was that about as clear as mud?

I think I get it. If they have A or B blood, they can also use O positive? Am I on the right tract here? I don't understand the part about them not being able to use others that are different from theirs though. I've never really thought about this, but I will now. Going to make some phone calls tomorrow and check about where to give blood, because like I said, I owe many "pay it forwards" in that department.

O positive can be used by almost everyone, regardless of what type they are. A can't use B, and vice versa, but both can use O. But O can't use A or B. Must have O. It's probably not as simple as that, with new technologies, and I have read of some departures from the rules that worked, but that is a time honored rule of thumb.

Thanks Aimee, now I kinda understand. I will be checking this out and searching for more info. I didn't realize a lot of this.

Ah, then you will want to remember that negative and positive don't mix!

Yes It is strange to see most of O postive but mine is O negative..

Mini, you should locate someone who has your type, and become very close to them! In an emergency, you might not find that type available. Probably someone else in your family has it. You are fortunate to have children, as many women in the past with negative Rh factor had problems associated with this after the first child if not the first. Improvements have been developed and there is remedy now, but in the past it pretty well meant you were limited to one child, or had great difficulty with the second one. I hope you never need it, but if you haven't already done so, I would encourage you to talk with your doctor about advance preparations just in case.

Yes I have Rh factor Negative as my Mom.. and I have two kids.. Believe or not.. I am the 6th ( last baby)in family.

every 39 days she donates. her mom says it just seems like once a week. (big diff) they have her scheduled ahead of time.

Hi, I encourage everyone that can donate to do so. I used to donate, but due to health issues cannot anymore. When I was healthier, but on meds-they could NOT use my blood for children, but it could be used for adults due to not being able to "sift out all the meds". They need all the information that you can give them. If you have not been typed ( blood typed recently) you may want to update the typing, they had one of my friends wrong (-/+) and it was just caught accidentally when she went in for minor surgery.

They won't take mine - I've tried, but they don't want it. Everytime I went in, they did a preliminary test and said, "thanks, but no thanks." I have a non-functioning thyroid and now with the rheumatoid arthritis, they won't even consider me. So I applaud and thank all of you who do give and encourage any who can, to give.

Do people get money when they donate blood there? As in some countries poor people go donating blood too often to get some money for food. Here it is volunteer, and we don't get any money for it. I have no idea what blood type I am.. :/

Evert, there are blood banks that pay, and there are those that ask for volunteers. But even the ones that pay will not take your blood more than about once a month or longer. If you donate it at the free blood bank, they will provide blood for your immediate family free of charge or half the usual rate in the event it is needed. It is very expensive to pay for blood transfusions. Even if the blood units are free, the actual process and supplies are still costly. But there are also many agencies and programs to help pay for it when there is financial need.

Some whinos do. That how they get drinking money. giving blood.

This is how they get college students to give blood too. They pay them. This is how my daughter got started giving blood. Now they call her when it's time for her to give again.