Posted on 09/07/2009 3:25:49 PM PDT by Red in Blue PA
WOODBURY, N.Y. – A New York man is donating his 320th pint of blood this week, making him one of two people in the U.S. who has given 40 gallons.
Seventy-five-year-old Al Fischer of Massapequa (mass-ah-PEE'-kwah) plans to reach the milestone Tuesday, 58 years after he started giving blood.
According to a New York Blood Center official, only 83-year-old Maurice Wood has donated more blood than Fischer. Wood is a retired railroad inspector from St. Louis.
Fischer, a print shop operator, donates blood about six times a year. He says he and Wood are engaged in a friendly rivalry and last spoke to each other a few months ago.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
After learning this, I no longer give as freely as I once did.
Well just remember when you’re on Obamacare and if you’re ever in doubt of getting treatment, if you’ve got a rare blood type and/or clean blood (not disease ridden, etc) remind them of that, it’ll boost your score and it might be enough to get them to keep you living awhile longer.
I just got my 5 gallon pin in April. My blood bank lets me have free blood for a year after a donation if I need it. Quite frankly, I would not want to receive any blood from any blood bank that pays its donors. It’s actually quite expensive to run all the testing to assure the safety of each unit of blood. I doubt they make all that much from selling blood to hospitals.
They recently closed down my local walk-in Indiana Blood Center. Always tried to give every 2 months, now I have to try to hit a blood drive bus.
Kramer: That knife, it nicked your jugular.. you were lucky that I was there. You lost a lot of blood... you’ve got three pints of Kramer in you, buddy.
[Jerry starts screaming and Kramer joins him.]
Since my son’s life was saved by people who freely donated their blood I cannot agree with you.
It costs money to process the blood and keep us all safe.
In Michigan there are places where you can give blood PLASMA. I think the going rate is about $30 per donation.
Ya think my O- might keep the death panel off my back when I’m 80?
I am completely creeped out by the counting of blood in gallons. All I can picture is milk jugs.
Get your hepatitis B vaccionation with titer, and you can make $75 a donation. If a married couple were to do that twice a week, you’re looking at $15,600 per year.
That ain’t too bad. ;)
I’ve given 54 pints of blood in my life but I was treated very rudely the last time (and I mean the last time I gave blood. Two letters to my local Red Cross center and the national headquarters have gone unanswered since March so I guess they really don’t need any blood.
I just find it offensive that the centers can make hundreds off of my blood.
I will still give, but not nearly as frequently as I have in the past.
“I just find it offensive that the centers can make hundreds off of my blood.”
I find it offensive that you use that as a reason not to save a life.
You can think whatever you want, but I have seen greed over the past year all too frequently, in pay, bonuses and on and on.
And you pass judgement on ME?
Get a clue....I have every right not to donate. I have donated more over my life than most people ever will.
Associated Content
The Incredible Health Benefits of Donating Blood
February 21, 2008 By Kristie Leong M.D.
It only takes about an hour out of your busy schedule and it may save a life. Donating blood may not only benefit the person who received the blood cells but may also improve the health of the donor. What are the potential health benefits of donating blood?
While the most obvious health benefit of donating blood is the wonderful feeling derived from giving something vital to someone who needs it, the benefits of donating blood may extend far beyond this to having a positive impact on the donor's health.
Studies have shown that, in general, Americans tend to consume more iron on a daily basis than is necessary for good health. Ingestion of quantities of iron beyond a certain quantity can promote formation of free radicals in the body. Free radicals have justly earned their reputation for causing cellular changes which can disrupt normal cell function and increase the risk of certain chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. This is more likely to be a problem for men and post menopausal women since women of child bearing age shed excess iron through regular menstrual cycles. If a person happens to be a red meat eater, the risk for iron overload can be even higher.
How does blood donation help with iron overload? Blood donation removes some of the excess iron which can cause free radical formation in the body. In fact, studies have shown that men who donate blood on a regular basis have a lower risk of heart disease. With heart disease being the number one cause of death in males, this is, indeed, an important health benefit of donating blood.
How can you be sure you're not giving away too much iron? Before you're allowed to donate blood, your hemoglobin level, a rough measure of your iron levels, will be checked. If it's deemed too low, you won't be allowed to donate that day. Your hemoglobin level will be monitored closely every time you present for donation and you'll only be allowed to donate every eight weeks to prevent too much iron from being removed from your body. It's a free and easy way to keep track of your iron levels.
When you consider the potential health benefits of giving blood along with the joy of giving to others in need, it's no wonder the donation of blood has become so popular. An hour spent relaxing in a chair every two months is all it takes to benefit both your health and the health of a lucky recipient. Somewhat out there someone is waiting for your generous gift of life.
I’m right at about 6 gallons and give about 10-12 times a year (alternating platelets with whole blood.)
Assuming I can live that long and stay on pace I’ll hit 320 in about 27 years.
“You can think whatever you want, but I have seen greed over the past year all too frequently, in pay, bonuses and on and on.”
yeah its shameful these companies should be able to pay their people. of all the greed in the healthcare industry you choose this to make a stand??
“And you pass judgement on ME?”
well yes
“I have every right not to donate.”
sure you do, just as I have a right to say your reason is bogus. someday a loved one of yours will need blood. hopefully others will have stepped up.
“I have donated more over my life than most people ever will.”
good for you, so why stop?
Why is it okay for the centers to gain massive profits off of blood?
Simple question.
“Why is it okay for the centers to gain massive profits off of blood?”
define massive
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.