Animavore wrote:My blood wouldn't run fast enough today to get the requisite amount in the allotted time

at least you've tried,i missed the blood donation drive because have moved house and the letter went to the old address.
do you know why your blood wouldn't flow fast enough?

Making Sure Your Donation Goes Quickly
Donation isn't hard to do, but it will go quicker if you have a lot of fluids in your system. You will be more hydrated, your veins will be easier to find, and your blood will flow better. You should drink a lot of water and other fluids. You shouldn't drink alcohol, soda, or a lot of caffeine. On the other hand, several people who donate regularly say that drinking lots of grape juice helps make it move the fastest. Having a fair amount of sugar in your blood will also make it easier for your blood sugar to stay level during and after donation. http://aidenofthetower.hubpages.com/hub/What-Should-I-Eat-and-Drink-Before-Donating-Blood

that must have been it,better have some fluids next time,seems that the session will go faster too

I don't think I am allowed to donate due to the medication I am required to take.
Presently I do offer blood samples for research into early diagnosis of donor lung rejection.

I've not been allowed to donate because of an operation I had in 1973. My GP then (wrongly) advised that I would not be able to give blood, and no GP since seemed willing to override that initial advice despite not knowing any good reason why I couldn't. Late last year, I finally got the go-ahead to give blood but only got round to doing it a couple of months ago (A- rhesus).

I do it because I've benefited from blood donation on several occasions, one (that 1973 one) that was certainly life-saving, so I feel I 'owe' the service. I've also found that I'm a suitable doner for platelets, which are needed more urgently, so I started donating them this month. This is a bit of an inconvenience as it takes about 90 minutes one a month, rather than 30 - 40 minutes once every 3 months and is a little more uncomfortable but - what the hell! - I put on my mp3 player and catch up on some of the podcasts.

I finally got of my ass... ( Took way to long )

...and I'm getting tested and registered four o'clock on Wednesday.
We'll see if they have use for my A+ blood.

I am B+ and have been donating for quite a while.

My mam was pretty ill when she had me and needed a lot of blood. She started donating when she was well enough some time after I was born. I started when I was old enough. I donated sporadically during my 20s mainly because I moved around a bit, but I've been a regular for some time now.

No Guinness in England unfortunately, but you do get a cup of tea and biscuits. The nurses aren't unattractive at my usual donation centre either...