January supply had fallen to the lowest in a decade
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comRed Cross appeals for blood donors after winter storms
Seeded on Tue Jan 25, 2011 1:00 PM EST (msnbc.com)
- msnbc.com sites & shows:
- TODAY
- Rock Center
- Nightly News
- Meet the Press
- Dateline
- Morning Joe
- Hardball
- Ed
- Maddow
- Last Word
- msnbc tv
Leave a Comment:
Then let gays donate.. I've never understood this F____ED up, antiquated policy. If all blood is tested anyways, then why not open it up. There is no scientific logic behind the band in 2011.
And really, does the stupid FDA think that by banning gays, they don't donate. It's called lying and I see it all the time at my work.. Plenty of openly gay men donating blood. So they just lie on the questionnaire.. But why should a gay man be forced to lie? That's not right.. Being gay is not shameful, no matter some people may say.
What's someone to do - call them out on it? And , apparently the FDA has never heard of the "downlow" where men who claim to heterosexual lie about their encounters to their doctors, wives, etc...
Newsflash: this ban doesn't really keep out the gay blood, in case you haven't noticed.
This ban is one big joke and needs to be overturned immediately.
"There is no scientific logic behind the ban in 2011"
Actually there is. 66% of all new HIV cases are reported in the case of Men who Have Sex With Men. Keep in mind, the term "gay" has no application here. The FDA has identified men having sex with men as a "risk behavior" because an estimated 10% of the population accounts for 2/3 of all new HIV cases.
This info is readily available on most Red Cross/Blood Center websites as well as the NIH (who conduct the study) and WHO. Remember, all new cases of HIV that are detected are required by law to be reported and investigated.
Don't read this wrong, I have no problem with homosexuality, males or females. Donating blood is NOT an inalienable right granted by the constitution and it is the DUTY of the FDA to ensure the the US has the safest blood supply in the world (it does).
As for those who "lie" about their sexual encounters or those on the "downlow" you're right, there is nothing that can be done. The Medical Hx questionairre has 50 or so questions, and a person could be lying about every single answer, no one would know. The ban isn't about keeping OUT gay blood. It is about making the blood supply, both for those who receive it, and those that collect it, as safe as humanly possible.
I think you'd find that most blood centers (including the Red Cross) are in favor of revisiting this ban, in fact the AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) along with RC have been lobbying congress to re-examine this ban for some time, however the FDA doesn't exactly move at a break neck pace.
I understand you being upset about a perceived discrimination, and for the record I fully believe that a person's sexuality is no more of a choice than their skin or eye colour. However, please do not attempt to take live saving units of blood off the shelves and away from the people who need it, just because you feel that you are being discriminated against. Remember, if you or anyone else who considers themselves gay needed the blood, it would be there for you no questions asked.
If the red cross would check the blood as they are suposed to, this would not be a problem, however the red cross doesn't want the expense, they only want the profit. Remember about 10-15 years ago when the red cross released all that bad blood.
If the Red Cross and the American Government would lift this ridiculous ban on people who have lived in Europe for more than 5 years, I wonder if they would continue to have shortages as bad as it is now.
Again, not a ridiculous ban. Educate yourself first. The ban on EU and UK folks from donating is specifically due to vCJD (Mad Cow Disease) Seems silly right? I mean who actually HAS Mad Cow? The answer is "we don't know" and that's the problem.
Again, it is the DUTY of the FDA to ensure the safest blood supply possible. Right now, the WHO, FDA and NIH all KNOW that vCJD (variant Creutchfeld-Jacobs Disease or Mad Cow) was present in some beef products from the UK and Europe during a specific period of time (1980-1996) What we DON'T KNOW is how it is transmitted, how to test for it (no blood test available) or what it may become in terms of an epidemic in the future.
As a result, the FDA errs FAR to the side of caution in not allowing certain individuals who have lived in the UK or EU to donate blood. But let me ask you, if it was you or more applicably you're mother/father/brother/sister/son/daughter was lying on the table needing blood (it happens every 2 seconds) wouldn't YOU want to know that they were getting the safest blood possible? Wouldn't perceived discrimination or "silly bans" be completely out the window as you waited for your loved one to recover? Or would you step in and say "Sorry Doc, we don't take blood from people from Europe, and that's just wrong. You're going to have to let him/her die so we can prove a point" Remember when people need blood they NEED BLOOD. No substitute, no generic brand.
As far as shortages . . . did you read the article? Blood has a very short shelf life in terms of most pharmaceutical products (which is exactly what blood products are, and how they are regulated by the FDA). Moreover the rarest types (O-, A-, AB+/-) are often on about a 3-day supply in any given area. Sure, allowing extra people to donate MAY help those shortages by a percent or two, but at what cost to safety?
Trust me guys, people with much more education and experience than you or I make these decisions in what they "hope" is for the greater good. Like Bill Cosby said " I've seen the bosses job, and I don't want it"
I was stationed in Germany for 2 1/2 years (1989-1991) and because of that I can't give blood and my family can't. While I understand, and agree with, the need to make sure the blood is safe, after 20 years I doubt that I or any members of my family have mad cow disease. They should lift that restriction or modify it to disallow for some period of time (10 years or so). Also, just where do Europeans get their blood from? hmmmmmm
I've been stateside 20+ years and I seriously doubt I am at any more risk for mad cow than anyone else in the US population. It's unfortunate, since I am O-negative and used to donate regularly.
I was stationed in Germany for 10 months in 1989 and in 1991 donated quite a bit of blood to my daughter who had a rare cancer. She is still alive 20 years later and I don't have any regrets whatsoever. It's one thing to be conscientious, as we all wish our medical community to be, and another thing to "cut the nose off to spite the face" of a dedicated demographic that is eager to be of service. When this silly ban is over I will be first in line to donate but I would gratefully receive blood right now (if I or any member of my family needed it) from any military member or veteran who served in Europe at any time.
The Red Cross should get in touch with Al Gore and NASA's Jim Hansen and the rest of the people who have been saying for years that winter's were getting warmer because of climate change.
They really got that right.
Winter is and always will be cold its just not be as cold as it used to be. DUH no one ever said there was never going to be winter again.
Have donated blood for over 35 years....never imagined I would need any. Had major surgery last fall....and transfusions helped make for a successful outcome. I am very grateful for all those who donate, and urge everyone who can donate to do so, especially in those parts of the country where it has been tough to run blood drives. The extra effort will be appreciated more than you know.....
Yep...I'm gay and I have O- blood type. I'm sure they could use it but, sorry, not happening.
Ewwww LOL
Have donated blood for over 35 years....never imagined I would need any. Had major surgery last fall....and transfusions helped make for a successful outcome. I am very grateful for all those who donate, and urge everyone who can donate to do so, especially in those parts of the country where it has been tough to run blood drives. The extra effort will be appreciated more than you know.....
Where you or your insurance company charged for the blood? If I were a betting man I would say you were. If you had donated that blood to a local blood bank, you or a family would receive free blood.
Red Cross appeals for blood donors after winter storms
.. Unless you're a gay male, of course. They don't need the blood THAT badly... They still have to retain that 1970s era bigoted stereotype where gay males can't give blood because the people recieving the blood might turn 'gay'!!11
While you're playing the 'they don't want me' card, they also don't want the blood of any serviceman or his/her family that used to live in Europe, either.
You're an idiot. Try looking up the real reason for the ban.
I dontated blood once and the guy who was assigned to me treated me like a piece of trash. Very rude man, but no one seemed to care. Red Cross asks for donations but they dont care how their staff treat you. I understand most of it is volunteer work so if you dont want to be there then I suggest you stay home.
Sorry about the gay ban, I did not know this. It isnt right to ban gay people from donating blood. The government wants to get rid of dont ask dont tell but then they pass this. If its not one thing it is another.
This policy comes from the FDA which governs all blood collection agencies, not just the Red Cross. If you don't like it make sure you put the blame where it belongs.
hello newsvine-i am age 74-in winnipeg,man,canada great west life exec mr aitken was pres of cdn red cross-i gave 4 x annually-from age 16 to age 68-i believe my toatal hit 350+-i was olympic swimmer-always had tons of blood pressure-still do-we are all sons,daughters ww1,ww2 vets-we never drugged,smoked-the kids today are messing with drugs,on coputers too much-red cross sure needs help-ok-all you young people-weekly exedcise-start donating-it is\ good for you-heart has to make more blood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-strong hearts-strong nation..............from canada
If they want more donations then they should lift the ban on gays donating. I didn't know about that until today and now I'm reluctant to donate again.
You'd only be punishing the sick or injured person who needed the blood...and who also had nothing to do with creating the policy you object to.
Maybe it's time for the Red Cross to revisit this policy; so write them, get your friends to write them as well, but don't punish the innocent.
The "advanced" medical community understands that blood is not a life saving tool. Patients have many other alternatives that allow faster healing with less complications.
Many professionals believe that blood transfusions will soon be a thing of the past.
The Red Cross has issues with processing folks through the blood donor lines, even if your straight, have not lived in Europe for 5 years, etc. I have walked out the last 2 times I was going to donate becasue I was halfway though the line after an hour wait. They need more nurses pumping the blood. 2 nurses for even 20 people in line is not right. It takes 5 minutes or longer for that pint to fill up and be tagged properly. Get more nurses there and your get more blood, especially at the hot spots.
I have O negative blood, and I am heterosexual as well as HIV negative. I would love to donate but I have veins that collapse when stuck. If they could get the right sized needle and a top-notch phelbotist to draw the blood, then I would give. One size does not fit all.
I'll keep mine just where it is thank you. They may get my money they may get my property but if they want my blood too their going to have to take it.
Great attitude. Your attitude is part of the larger problem, but it's clear that you'll never see that.
The Red Cross operates on voluntary, charitable donations. They don't take, and they aren't a governmental agency.
Sheri-301262 Why should I give blood to save your sorry butt? Now if someone I know needs blood that is an entirely different story like my nephew did. The family donated me included and the surgery went on.
The Article should read "Blood sucking parasites seek cash cow donors...." It is sad to say that donations made to the American Red Cross for free, are turned around into money when our troops need blood. Yes, that's right, you donate for free, and they charge the military for the blood. How's that feel?
You are correct. You should give your blood to a local blood bank, they in return will give you or a family member free blood when needed.
Only if it is donated to a certain person
my best friend got me into donating blood about 10 years ago i tell her its the best thing she ever got me to do since then i have given platlets,red blood cells and blood i dont like going to the blood mobiles though i feel like they rush u in and out
I've been donating for 35 years and since I moved to AZ nearly 2 years ago, I haven't been able to. I was unemployed for nearly 3 years and I live 20 miles from the nearest freeway, and another 20+ miles to a doner center. The powers that be have not found it fit to bring a mobil van out this way where there is currently a population of 80 odd thousand in my desert community. Go figure. After I read this article, I checked online and see there will be a donor van at the WalMart 20 miles from here Saturday morning. When I get off work, I'll go have breakfast and drive to the site.
save a life. donate. one day it may be you who needs it.
People need a kidney to..Will you donate it? haha
You should donate to a local blood bank. That way if you or a member of your family needs blood it is free. The red cross would only give you blood if you pay for it, and it could be your own.
I gave many gallons over many years, but ultimately stopped for 2 reasons:
Incessant calls from them despite my requests to reduce call frequency
AND ...
A general lack of common courtesy from the staff at the donation center
Note to Red Cross: Calling me dozens of times AFTER you've treated me like crap, doesn't work near so good as treating me like the good guy I was for so many years.
Since time has changed..People has paid thousands for transplant..How much will they pay for a blood transfusion??If no one gives freely any more?
You may give your blood to the red cross then they turn around and sell it. If you want to help others by giving blood, donate to a local blood bank.
Would not give a drop of blood to the red cross. However I would be willing to donate to indivugials. The red cross has done many good things and they have also mis spent a lot of donated money. Give them nothing, but help all.
I've done all I could. If it's a true emergency, they can waive the 56 day rule and I'll be right over.
these people sell this blood for over $500 per unit. they call it a
"processing fee", but the truth is, they take united way money then make a fortune selling blood to people that really need it, so they can pay their top executives more money than anyone should get to run a "charity". i will not participate.
they can beg, or start paying for blood the same way they sell it.
the red cross lost their honor forty years ago....
nuff said
these people sell the blood you donate for over $500 per unit. they call it a 'processing fee', then pay their executives outrageous salaries from the proceeds.
they receive united way funding, so the blood sales are pure profit for their top dogs to waste.
when they start buying the blood they are going to sell, maybe i'll sell some to them.
if my family or neighbors need blood, i'll donate it directly them. the red cross has been a rip off for more than forty years.
nuff said
The Red Cross is a non profit agency. They sell the blood to the hospitals at cost. Any additional fees you pay the hospital are their processing fees, not from the Red Cross.
If it is non profit there should be no fees incurred at all. Just as when you doante for an individual it is free of any fees.
It is the policy of the FDA that prohibits men who have had sexual contact with other men from donating. This isn't something calling the Red Cross or any other blood bank is going to change, contact the FDA or your local representative.