Need a Phlebotomy?
And no, I’m not talking the removal of phlegm or a lobotomy, which many say I need or had. I’m talking about phlebotomy, the act of drawing blood, and the phlebotomist down at the American Red Cross of the National Capitol Area are looking for donors.
Local hospitals are low on blood, some down to a half-day supply. Both the MPD and Eleanor Holmes Norton have joined the Red Cross in the plea, she specifically to ask African Americans to give blood.
I only wish I could. After years of distant travel, like say Timbuktu, I can’t pass the pre-screen test. Malaria areas? England during Mad Cow? Yep, my blood be unfit. Might yours be worthy? The cause sure is.
Thanks WashPost
As I keep telling them when the office sponsored blood drive comes around, the Red Cross restrictions on that whole, male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977 thing generally puts me and quite a few people I know out of the running and quite a few more just on principle.
Very worthy cause, I hope they manage to replenish their supply.
Whenever they ask about if I’ve traded sex for drugs or money I respond “Nobody’s ever offered to pay” with a sigh. They never think it’s as funny as I do.
Do they still prohibit people who’ve been tattooed in the last 12 months?
I didn’t feel like jumping on this topic in the post, but I agree, they prohibit anyone interesting from giving blood. Only house-bound yet helathy are qualified these days.
Tattoo
Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis.
The full list is here: http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html
But they give each phlebotomist great leeway:
Medical professionals are available at each blood collection center and details of each donor’s health and activities are discussed in a confidential setting prior to blood donation. The final determination of eligibility is made at that time.
And a little more digging and you find the on-site questions that will exclude you:
http://web.ncifcrf.gov/rdp/DonorAlertQuestionnaire.pdf
Males who have had sexual relations with another man, even once, since 1977. [there goes the Dupont blood drive]
· Persons who have injected illegal drugs at any time in their life.
· Persons who have exchanged sex for money or drugs at any time since 1977. [Don is out]
· Persons who were born in or lived in any of the following countries since 1977: Cameroon, Central African
Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger or Nigeria. [Peace Corps blood drive failure]
· Persons who have had sexual contact with anyone born in or who has lived in these countries since 1977. [all my ex’s]
Part B: Others who are at increased risk of infection are those who have IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS:
· Had sexual relations with anyone described in the previous categories. [Most of single DC]
· Has or have been treated for gonorrhea or syphilis.
· Have been incarcerated (in jail or prison) for more than 72 consecutive hours. [Don, out again]
· Taken (snorted) cocaine through your nose [What about smoking crack?]
Good to know Burkina Faso is not on the list.
Yeah, a few years ago, I wanted to give blood but was stopped from doing so when I read on their website that if I lived in England after 1977, then I wasn’t eligible! Wow, that eliminates a lot of potential donors. Is my blood that tainted because I drank Guinness with Limeys in their own country!?!?!
Hey, I always got to go out and walk in the yard for an hour in prison so I was never incarcerated for 72 straight hours.
Jeez, they could also try having hours at least as good as THE MALL for fuck’s sake. From your link:
FAIRFAX DONOR CENTER
2720 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031
Monday, 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday, 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursday, 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
Noon to Seven? And closed on Tues? They’re about thirty minutes from me during afternoon traffic and I tend to work late. I guess I could always go to one of their blood drives… if I could get my time machine working and go back to the last listed one in mid-July.
Even if you aren’t a member of the really high risk club (IV drug users, etc.), they will eliminate you for seemingly benign past behavior like snorting coke — HVC can be transmitted this way. Before they started filtering candidates in the late 80’s, millions of people were exposed to the virus because of tainted blood supplies.
Anyone know of any plasma collection centers in the area? — You know, the kind where they pay for your plasma. Thanks.