<p>the next blood drive is in 2 weeks and i'm thinking maybe i should go... what was your experience?</p>
<p>I never have. I don't weigh enough. Well, I could probably do it anyway, but according to the guidelines, I don't weigh enough. I also have low blood pressure, so this probably wouldn't be a good idea. I would like to be able to do it though, and I greatly respect everyone who does.</p>
<p>Yeah I do it. It's no biggie, I've done it maybe 3-4 times before though I weigh only about 100 lbs. There's anaesthetic so you don't feel any pain.</p>
<p>^ There's anesthetic?! I thought it just didn't hurt, lol. </p>
<p>Anyways, like _fiona said, it doesn't hurt... but I just can't do it psychologically. :[ I've tried once in school and once outside of school, and both times, I just about passed out. I know it's psychological 'cause the first time it happened, it was before they even put the needle in me, lol. (Someone else had passed out and thinking about it made me light-headed and ldfsjfljdsf.) The second time, it was like halfway over and Idk what happened! But yeah. Eventuallyyy I'm gonna try it a third time and see if I can make it.</p>
<p>EDIT: JBVirtuoso, I'm pretty sure that I have low blood pressure, too (based on the readings they take before drawing the blood.) What effect exactly does this have on giving blood?</p>
<p>I don't know about in America, but in Singapore we get this teeny needle with anesthetic before the big needle is poked in. </p>
<p>And Poseur, I think if your blood pressure is below a set amount, then you can't donate. Not sure why.</p>
<p>wow singapore is awesome
does anyine know why they don't do that in usa?</p>
<p>i really want to do it this year - i don't think it was well publicized at my school last year so i didn't end up getting the papers. /:</p>
<p>Well, I usually go donate at the local hospital. I don't really like mobile blood drives - too many people around, too much noise, it just isn't very comfortable. The local hospital has a little cozy room which is nice and quiet and has a TV XD</p>
<p>I've never been old enough by my school's standards, but I think that they recently lowered the age requirement so I just might do it this year.</p>
<p>My school doesn't have a blood drive, and I cant donate blood anyways because of a medicine I'm on. I do get to have blood drawn every month for it though <.<</p>
<p>It was ridiculous when seniors burst in on freshman algebra classes demanding blood. Hello, we're not allowed to donate blood until we're 18 or something...</p>
<p>I was going to, that until I found out Gay Men are barred from donating blood :(</p>
<p>Seriously, LMU? What an archaic restriction...</p>
<p>Nope. Never have, never will. I've already fainted twice while having blood drawn. As fainting can be fatal, it's not worth risking my life. >_<</p>
<p>Yeah, I don't weigh enough. I tried my best to convince them last year that it would be fine - no luck.</p>
<p>No... my parents think I'm going to faint and die if I do. =[</p>
<p>Seriously fhg.</p>
<p>Men who have had the slightest sexual relation with another men are barred from donating according to the FDA.</p>
<p>Wwwwwwwwhat LMU10?!?!? That is utterly absurd.</p>
<p>^there's also a question on the donor form: "are you female, and if so, have you had sexual relations with a man who has had sexual relations with another man?"</p>
<p>I also disagree with blocking gay men from donating. maybe it has something to do with AIDS?</p>
<p>^Yes, I think it has everything to do with HIV. Although one would hope they'd test the blood for such viruses before they gave it to patients, so why should it matter much?</p>