To give or not to give That IS THE QUESTION.

from JoeUser Forums
Greetings JU,

I just received a third call from the United blood services. It so happens that I have the universal blood type of O-.

First of all I HATE NEEDLES. Yeah call me a wuss if you want but I have always not been fond of those metallic mosquitoes.
I gave blood once because I know that I have O- and am in high demand.

Here is my dilemma.

I know I can save a life by giving.
Although my fear of metallic mosquitoes can be overcome my hesitation comes from not fully understanding what I am being given and what I am giving. I am VERY athletic and strive for health and vitality. But my religious perspective is that the generational curses are carried through DNA. Has anyone else gone through this? I would really like some of your thoughts.

MM I know that you cannot give blood but wondering what your thoughts are.

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4,803 views 22 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
give the blood, the life you save might be your own.

I believe very strongly in giving.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thanks MM. I respect your thoughts alot.

I am hoping to hear thoughts from Dr. Guy and BakerStreet as well as they are highly respected by me.

The other thing is I do alot of high altitude training so my blood will give others a 'oxygen high'. Last time I gave my iron was almost too high to give and since O2 sticks to the hemo due to iron makes it oxygen rich. Can I get any takers?

Thanks again MM.

Also I don't exludes others who want to share their thoughts.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
But my religious perspective is that the generational curses are carried through DNA.


You're going to have to explain this some more because I don't get it. Do you think blood has a mystical kind of quality?

Not knowing more about that I would say that it would be a great thing to give. Have you ever seen that commercial where the dad is asking people to save his daughter. It just breaks your heart. You are lucky to be in the position to be a great blessing to people. I think you should do it.

And hey just don't look at the needle. Find something else to focus on and it will be over before you know it. Think of all the good karma you will be building up.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
[quoteFirst of all I HATE NEEDLES. Yeah call me a wuss if you want but I have always not been fond of those metallic mosquitoes.

Don't think of is as a needle, think of is as a pin. Nobody's afraid of a pin. ;~D

I'd say, if you are eligible to give, GIVE!
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

Since when did I start blogging under another name?

Oh Wait!  Sorry Adventure Dude - this sounded like me!

OK, you want the straight poop, the whole poop and nothing but the poop?

I am O- as well.  And like you, I have a phobia - not an aversion as some would say - but a phobia about needles.  Knives?  Hell they dont matter.  I bleed on schedule and often as I dont seem to be able to not be a klutz (I dont like the blood, but I deal with it).  But Needles?  Why would someone slicing my arm not concern me as much as being stuck by a needle?

And I am not talking just the blood needles.  I am talking about any needle!  I could never do the job that Parated does.  I could never stick a needle into another person.  I am a failed doctor.

But I give blood.  Almost 150 pints in my life so far.  They dont know how much I hate it, but like you, I am the universal donor, and there are people out there literally dying for what I have plenty of.

To my delight, I am a fast bleeder.  I can unusually dump a pint in 5 minutes from stick to removal.  But still that stick.  For those who do not suffer from phobias, there is no way to describe the fear.  For those who have phobias, there is no need.

I say to you, if you can do it, do it.  When they go to stick me, I start going over the battery and statistics of my favorite team and their last game - or in the off season, their last World Series win.  Why?  It takes a lot of mental activity to remember who was up, on base, and who got the hits, so I cannot think of anything else.  And baseball, the game of stats, is the game I think of.  Once the needle is in, and I get the 4 or 5 questions of "are you ok", I can talk to the blood people.  But I cannot even watch them stick another!

But for all that, half an hour after grinding my teeth and donating, I am out of there.  And I feel a lot better.  Both for having it over and past (they dont let a day go by after the 56 before they are calling me), and knowing that somewhere, someone's loved one will be around another day because of my gift.

Selfless?  Hell no!  That last feeling is the greatest feeling you can ever have.

best of luck with your decision.  There are far too few of us that can.  And far too many of us that need.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hey, don't forget about the free cookies and juice

Don't think of it as possibly saving a life, You ARE saving a life!

O- is universal, and is not only used in transfusions but in research as well...my daughter is a Type 1 diabetic, and your blood could just as likely help find a cure for her, and it only hurts for a little bit.

Adventure Dude, huh? Bring me your donor card and I gotta COPE course I'll run you thru for free!
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
In order for me to offer an opinion, I'd have to know what you mean by generational curses? If I had to go on a hunch, you are Jehovah's Witness? Sorry if I am wrong, maybe Christian Science? I'm grasping at straws, I know.

Without knowing exactly what your religious beliefs are, it is hard to say. I think the fact that you are asking the question at all, though, shows you have doubts. I think in terms of fear of needles, knowing you from your writing, you could overcome your fear in the interest of helping people. Asking you to betray your religious beliefs is something different, though, and I wouldn't want to cause you pain in that regard.

It is hard, but in terms of my beliefs I don't think any religion is right 100% of the time. We have a tradition in the Christian heritage of discounting the 'worldly' body, but we also have Jesus as an example. He fed people when they were hungry, and asked that we comfort the sick. Not to be overly trite, but In the most broad sense, I think you could say he donated blood as well.

I think preserving the lives of innocent people lends them the to reflect on themselves spiritually. Giving of one's self is the ultimate charity, especially in the face of your fear. None of that is more important than your religious convictions, though, because in the end you have to live with your decisions. Were I to make the decision, I would try to err on the side of compassion. I would have to wonder how I would feel if my child needed blood that wasn't there.

That's a low blow, and I probably shouldn't have said it. If you truly believe that you can cause others harm by the act of giving blood, then you'll be holding to "do unto others" if you choose not to as well. I would respect your decisions either way.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

Hey, don't forget about the free cookies and juice

DAMN!  Why did you have to tell them my purpose in giving?  NOw I am just a cheap whore!

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Baker,
Very insightful response
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Upon reflection, I guess it comes down to this. If you were in an accident this afternoon and you or your child needed a blood transfusion in order to survive, would you take it? If you can say no, then your religious convictions would probably be such that you wouldn't feel right taking part in the practice.

If you would say yes, then I think you'd have to give the blood. What if you don't, and you need it yourself tomorrow? Not that it wouldn't be there, but how would you feel if you, after having not given blood, relied upon the pool that you chose not to give to?

If you are going on a matter of conscience, it always comes down to 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you'. If you wouldn't want their blood to be forced on you, then perhaps you shouldn't perpetuate the practice. Otherwise, I'd say donate.

P.S. Thanks Dynosour, I think you posted it as I was posting this one.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thanks Baker!

This is why I highly respect you. Here's the thing. I don't mind giving or taking blood from my family. I am not sure I would be too comfortable with someone else's blood. Of course perspective changes depending on situation (ie life or death). I know there are stories of visions/hallucinations when receiving blood. I wonder if this is due to the rapid change in O2 level within the body. I know that my blood would be better than coffee for someone who is lythargic but more seriously it can save lives.

Adventure Dude, huh? Bring me your donor card and I gotta COPE course I'll run you thru for free!


Ha ha Dynosoar bring it on .

Cookies?
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ha ha Dynosoar bring it on .


It's all good as long as no running. but put me on a bike or something and watch me go . Just so you know I used to be an adventure racer.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
If I had to go on a hunch, you are Jehovah's Witness? Sorry if I am wrong, maybe Christian Science?


Interesting hunch. I am really just someone who is studying the scriptures but tend to associate myself with Messianic Judaism although I don't agree with everything with them either. maybe that helps?

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Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hi Dude,

"There is no greater love than this, one willing to give his life for another."

Give the blood, you'll be glad you did.

Shalom!!
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Challenging
Outdoor
Personal
Experience

The course is comprised of 12 low elements( which is basically a group obstacle course) and 9 high elements ( 40ft off the ground w/ various wire walks, accessed by a "Giants Ladder" w/ rungs 4 to 6 feet apart, and ending with a 250 yard zip line....weeeee )
Throw in the climbing tower with 5 different surfaces and a 50ft rappel, you got the makin's for a great time.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
No orienteering, only a 50ft rappel, no white water kayaking, no mountain biking? Dynosoar where's the challenge?

I do love COPE though. I have gone through a few of them.
Dyno where do I sign up .
I give blood AFTER right ha ha.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Update on the issue.

United Blood Service is going to have a lab technician call me to answer some of my questions of what is actually being transferred and exactly what is taking place. More than likely I will donate my red life saving liquid. Baker as always your perspective of 'wearing the shoes of others what would you do' shines brilliantly. Thanks. But I do want to understand more of what they put back into my system with the 2RBC donation as I know that this is most beneficial donation. Anyways I'll keep you informed and thank you ALL so much for your input.

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Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
Here's your challenge;

AFTER donating, you'll be blindfolded thru the entire course, and guided by a muted participant. ( if still not challenged, we can take away the use of a limb or two...)

I can be an evil facilitator
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
or we can just let him give blood then spin him around in circles dyno till he falls down, then we can all sit back and laugh? heh
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
I wish I could still give blood. I used to on a regular basis. But because we lived in Germany, the blood bank is concerned that I could be carrying Mad Cow Disease (go figure).
I went to sell plasma once. I was seriously broke and needed the cash to buy groceeries. I felt a little like a prostitute selling what I had once given out of love. They didn't want it. How pathetic does that make me?
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
Here's your challenge;

AFTER donating, you'll be blindfolded thru the entire course, and guided by a muted participant. ( if still not challenged, we can take away the use of a limb or two...)

I can be an evil facilitator


LOL That is tooo funny. Good stuff.

Maggie that is a very heart felt point you made to me. I know you don't realize it because most of you really don't know much about who I really am other than kind of my religious perspective. My title is adventure dude because I was an adventure racer. I did have success but due to foot surgery cannot any more (so the doctors tell me). But my point isn't about puffing my ego up or giving myself a pat on the back. I used to race for those who couldn't race. For my mom because she has terrible asthma. For friends who could not race due to health related issues. I raced for those who simply could not physically do it. And now I find myself in that position. Pondering that in a sense I raced for me (in a non-cynical way)? MM I think you would agree with me on this. To give blood because there are others who would love to donate but because of dieses they cannot. For me that brings no greater joy. To do something for those who cannot. Don't know where that is on the scale of selflessness and selfishness. Thanks Maggie.

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