Donating Blood in China Experiences & Opinions

Chinese donating blood.

From Tianya, “Today went to donate blood…Angry!!!“:

Today, the work unit organized a blood donation. A few days ago, I registered to volunteer, but our office has a minimum target (not only is it non-remunerated blood donation, they are also starting to assign targets to work units). I am the youngest, and though I am very disgusted with some aspects of non-remunerated blood donations, since I believe there are no big impact on the body, I volunteered. However, today has made me feel very “upset.”

First was a physical examination, but the physical examination was in fact only measuring blood pressure and heart rate, and then afterward blood tests. But I did not get tested. Because I had donated once before in 2003 (this was my fourth time), the doctor asked me if I had a physical examination recently. I said I am not sure which year I had a physical examination. He muttered that since I had donated in 2003, there was no problem, and there was no need to get a blood test and to go directly draw blood. I do not know if my blood will be tested once before it is used, and though I do not think there will be any problems with my blood, I thought this kind of behavior did not seem to be very responsible.

Then I went into the blood collection van, there was already a colleague donating blood, so we laughingly while we waited there. I saw that he already reached 200ccs so I said loudly: He is done. But I heard a voice say: Need to donate 300cc. I immediately was very upset, and said: since when did you start automatically taking 300cc without first getting permission? No one directly answered my question. Because I had seen a post before encouraging people to donate 400cc, I was very disgusted with this kind of behavior. I did not think they would now not even ask before directly drawing 300cc. If you request, they can only take 200cc. Although neither 200cc or 300cc will affect me, I still felt kind of cheated and disgusted.

I am a teacher. In front of me was a female teacher getting her blood drawn. Her blood vessels are small, so the speed was very slow, and when she saw it was class time (the blood collection van was in at our school), she became very worried. The blood collection staff very reluctantly said: Then just wait until 200cc. After finally reaching 200cc, the class bell had already rung, but the blood collection staff still wanted her to continue until 300cc. If it was not for this teacher being in a hurry to go to class, they would have definitely made her give 300cc.

A male teacher, after drawing 100cc had a negative reaction. The staff hurriedly asked what was the situation, obviously wanting him to continue, but only after the teacher said he could no longer see clearly did they reluctantly to pull out the needle and let him lie down to rest. A while later, a staff member said to another staff member: this 100cc cannot be used, just give him as a souvenir, no need to provide a proof [of donation]. As if she was being charitable to him! ! ! The souvenir is only a glass cup and some sour milk. So I asked if the 100cc that he gave was completely useless? They explained that there was not much use for it. So do they only take 300cc now, and 100cc is useless? I remember back when I was attending school that donating 100cc was a very normal thing. In the end, this teacher did not get a proof of blood donation.

In the past, after giving blood, they would give you a cup of hot milk, now no longer.

Donating blood, I volunteered for, but as for whether I will again in the future, I do not know.

Donating blood in China.

Comments from Tianya:

You still drink milk? Originally it was meant to nourish your body [after donating blood], now it just adds stones, do you want?

I was once cheated out of 400mL, I will not go again.

In May, I also went to donate blood (fifth time). From Small West Gate to the Square, I circled several times looking for the blood collection van (its location changes). It was a military corps blood collection van, and I found time during work to go. The woman in charge saw that I was sturdy and insisted I donate 400. I said I had work to do the next day, and only would donate 200. That woman kept talking and talking, and would not give up until she got what she wanted. I was in a bad mood and insisted on only giving 200. It really affected my mood, these workers really do not consider the feelings of blood donors. Though, when I celebrated my birthday in July, I received a text message from the military corps blood collection wishing me well, which was a small pleasant surprise.

The first time I went to donate blood, that blood collector kept wanting me to donate 400. At the time, I did not understand, so I thought I might as well go ahead donate it all, besides my weight was enough, the country standards were written there, saying there was no problem. After my mom found out after I returned, she was pissed, and scolded me, saying that the first time donating blood cannot donate that much, then started t curse that black-hearted blood collector who just wanted to finish their job, hehe.

Really disgusted…the first time I went to donate blood, I originally wanted to donate the largest amount I could, but later they said there were too much of my blood type already, and only took half…sad…

Fuck! Do not bring this up! You donated blood for free! You you will understand when the time comes when you want to use blood! Their so-called free blood for donor family members! You will cry to death when you go to make a claim [for the free blood you think you will get for having been a donor]! Scientists say donating blood is no problem! In fact, they also say it actually good for the body! But someone I know whose body used to be very very good became obviously worse after donating blood! Gets sick~wheezes~ai! ~Donating blood is glorious!! Haha~helpless…

Up till now, I have already donated 1600cc. Every time is 400cc/Now when you go, it is essentially automatically 400 and they will not ask you how much. Unless you strongly refuse.
What is more, the blood donation workers these days are very rude. They treat you as if donating blood is what you are supposed to do, and are reluctant to even pour you a cup of water.

I never go donate blood!
Because according to what I know, hospitals take the flesh and blood of ordinary people through free blood donors, sell it to patients who need blood in the hospitals, and do you know how much they sell it for? This is a no-cost business for hospitals, why should I want face and make myself suffer? If hospitals had medical ethics, they should not be disorderly, charge so much money, …???
Only until the day everything is transparent and safe will I go donate.
Do not say that blood donors have some kind of priority blood-use benefit, do you all really believe that? Without money, you will be immediately thrown into the mortuary!

Our country now separates blood donation into three types:
Individually supplied blood, compulsory blood donation, free blood donation.
Individually supplied blood: Selling blood, professional blood seller! Now, in order to control blood quality, the country controls very tightly! This is also “Blood Donation Law” …???
Compulsory blood donation: Planned blood donation, work unit organized forced blood donation! This is also a method to compel people! Cannot buy blood, free blood donations, no one wants to donate! Only this way! China characteristics!
Free blood donation: This should be promoted! It is also the direction the whole world is developing towards!

Donating blood in China = mental retard.

Really is frightening. Because I have anemia, I never donate blood, now I am even more afraid to go. I am afraid that if I donate 400cc, they will want me to come back. Though we are donating blood for free, hospitals do not give it to patients for free, so who is taking that money? All taken away by those black-hearted doctors.

Comments from Hangzhou Net Forum:

You release blood, others take money!

I really like blood products.

You give blood, they sell blood, you are a stupid…

How much blood is to be donated is established before donating, even though they will let you donate 400, if you insist on only drawing 200, they will not draw more. But I do not know if the situation for work unit organized [blood donations] are different.

Nurse takes blood from Chinese man.

Comments from Tiexue (Iron Blood):

China, where there are all kinds of strange things, just get used to it.
Do not ask for milk, it is dangerous, hehe.

Regarding whether the blood you donated will be tested, you can relax, all the bags of blood are taken back to be tested before they are used. If they find a probem, especially a problem with your health, the medical establishment will contact you, otherwise why would they ask you to fill out forms, this is very normal, everywhere is the same, you will understand after donating a few times. Donating blood once every year is also good for your own health.
But the thing at the end is definitely not right. There are always people saying chinese people freely donate blood, China hospitals sell for high prices. Blood in operations is very expensive. I know a cardiovascular doctor, he never donates blood, the reason is because he dislikes China’s medical system. He thinks that even if they cannot give it to patients for free, at least make it cheaper, especially since it is all drawn from everyone’s blood vessels, and then selling it for a high price, would this not be a no-cost business?

If it was me, I would have slapped her to help her remember what she is supposed to say, what she is supposed to do.

Donating blood I will not go do. Why should freely donated blood be sold expensively to those who need blood? Another thing is that the tests are not enough.

It is a good thing, but it has been made bad by those with ulterior motives. I will say this to you, I will never go donate blood in this lifetime!

Where are you from? I donated before, at Chengdu’s Tianfu Square, and the service attitude was very good. Regrettably, the next day when returning to school, the school announced that everyone can register to donate blood, and that each person can get 200 RMB for 200cc. I was so sad.

Free blood donation’s contributions to society is more than its abuses…”lou zhu’s” phenomenon is the minority. Do not use one example to smear everything…
I still support free blood donations…I have already donated about 10 times…

I am a woman, I will never donate blood~~
My family has someone who works in a hospital. This family member upon donating blood for the first time told the whole family to not carelessly donate blood.
One reason is that some people will get an incurable disease from donating blood.
I asked with wide-eyes: “How can this be? Is this not all handled by hospitals? How can they not guarantee the use of qualified medical instruments?”
Reply: “Some people, for some reason, will use unqualified medical instruments, and therefore lead to kind blood donors getting AIDS, even though the chances of this kind of thing happening are extremely extremely low, but if this thing happened to you, that so-called chance would be 100%. That result would be to stay at home and wait to die.

In the past, I went to school in Hebei’s Shijiazhuang. At that time, the train station had a volunteer blood donation van near it. My classmates and I went to donate before. That was my first time donating. Because I had never tested my blood type, the doctor tested my blood type that time, the result was O-type, and such was my donation experience.
When I went to donate again after half a year, I asked the doctor that was testing blood there to test my blood type again, but that doctor would not agree, saying that the previous time determined that I was O-type, so it must be O-type, so in the end I donated as O-type blood.
Now that I have returned home. the past half year I went to the blood collection station here to donate blood. The first time I went, while filling out the forms, I filled out my blood type as O-type. Later the doctor gave me a blood test and told me I was not O-type, am A-type. I wanted to faint. When the doctor heard that I was tested as O-type before, he tested me again and I was still A-type. As a result of me being more tired at the time, some parts of my blood exceeded normal levels, so that time I did not successfully donate. After I went again half a month later, the doctor again tested me and the result was A-type.
I do not want to say where is good or bad, I just think that doctor as well as their team was too irresponsible. If they could not test my blood type correctly, how can they go save the dying and nurse the wounded? I say the doctor is irresponsible because he could not even test blood correctly. I saw their team is too irresponsible because the second time I went and asked to be tested again they would not do it.

Every year I will donate once or twice. Actually, I also know blood stations and hospitals are pretty black, but upon thinking that my blood will very likely save another person’s life, I still go.

Chinese girls getting test before donating blood.

  • Kai

    Aw, come on, 400cc isn’t that much…I guess there needs to be better and more education on donating blood in China.

  • Nietzche

    Donating blood seems like a good way to help people, although in China I would be afraid of either negligence, also it would be nice to know to what use your donation was being put. I’ve never volunteered to donate blood because it makes me squeamish, but maybe I’ll get the guts to do so sometime

  • Beholder

    In the UK, they usually take just under one pint of blood, which I believe is about 500 cc (somebody please correct me if I’m wrong). I used to donate regularly at home, but I’ve never even considered it in China…

    • sk7

      Same here in America
      Even students in high school donate a pint of blood
      How is 300cc alot lmao?

    • John

      You’re right, they take 470ml (cc being the medical equivalent of ml) which is just under a pint. The difference, as it nearly always it seems to be, between our country and China is that people donate willingly, donate being the key term here, but are sincerely praised for doing so. You only have to look at the National Blood Service’s moto- “Do something amazing, give blood” to see how heroic the whole experience is made out to be!

  • Fuller

    I’m surprised how many people are taking issue with the amount of blood, but ignoring the doctor’s cavalier attitude about the guy not having had a blood test in the last 5 years.

    One of the posters said the following:
    “Regarding whether the blood you donated will be tested, you can relax, all the bags of blood are taken back to be tested before they are used.”

    Yes, they are taken back to be tested. Great. But what if the blood testers also don’t feel like doing their jobs properly?

    I realize we’re talking about a small chance here, but someone along the line has to take responsibility and do their job to prevent tainted blood from reaching hospitals.

  • Rick in China

    @Fuller
    Perhaps the people who take the blood know full well that the blood will all be tested, and in order to take more blood in a shorter time frame skip testing some of what they may deem to be low risk individuals. Saying “But what if the blood testers also don’t feel like doing their jobs properly?” could be said about any blood tester with any organization in any country, and it’s far too speculative to assume that it’s happening here more than other places. I do believe some heads have rolled (literally?) resulting from the Henan HIV contamination tragedy…and I would think it’s not likely some potentially responsible for that would take their jobs so lightly in the future.

  • john

    Rick, you’re excusing the doctor for taking his job lightly and then in the next breath saying it’s not likely someone would take their job lightly.

    What’s the difference between the doctor not testing low risk individuals to save time (knowing that the blood will be tested later) and the later blood testers not testing some blood to save time (knowing that the blood was already tested in order for it to get there in the first place)?

  • Fuller

    @Rick
    “it’s far too speculative to assume that it’s happening here more than other places”
    Sigh. Unfortunately, I disagree. After having been here for over three years, I see and hear about an astonishing number of people who don’t feel like doing their job properly, regardless of the consequences to themselves or other people. I hope I’m wrong about it, but what I read about that doctor (see my previous comment) just gave me a sickly, queasy feeling that the whole system could be still be too unsafe.

  • Rick in China

    @john
    The people who take blood are NOT doctors.

  • will

    Wow they sell the donated blood at hospitals? Didn’t know that ….

    How much does 500cc’s go for?

  • Rick in China

    @Fuller
    You think so many people in US, Canada, England, Italy, Australia..wherever..”do their jobs properly” all of the time? You’re JOKING, right? “More than here!” may be a reply, however, that would also be unfounded speculation. I don’t even want to start citing examples, if you need them – you’re McCaining (far out of touch).

    Do any of you really believe that when you donate to the red cross in USA, for example, they do an on-the-spot blood test and verify that you’re clean most of the time? Lets smoke some more assumption-dope, clearly that’s what is fueling many critical replies.

    In fact, to the best of my knowledge (this may not be true for every donation clinic) they label and bag your plasma separately and test it later, at a lab. If your blood is found to contain contagion during any of the standard tests, they’ll notify you later. Whether they label and notify here, or just toss bad blood out, is out of my scope of knowledge…but that’s a service to the donor rather than to the clinic or recipient. I suggest you read about blood donation policies in other countries before acting so “shocked and amazed” at the “poor quality of work” being done by people here.

    Sure, the gov’t doesn’t pick up the phone – have you had so many wonderful experiences at the DMV that makes China seem truly so much worse? Soapboxing 4 the masses.

    @John
    I mistakenly didn’t answer your question – again you are making a HUGE assumption in thinking that the process of the lab is to “assume” all blood has been tested in order to get there. I didn’t know you were so in-tune with the policies surrounding blood donation. If that’s truly how it works, that is horrible.

    I would put my money on it not working like that.

  • http://www.chinapasticcio.com chinapasticcio

    I’m a little surprised by all the whining about giving 100-400cc of blood. Are Chinese people really that delicate? I regularly donated one pint (I think that’s around 400-500cc) every six weeks for 25 years in the US. And I never once felt faint or cross-eyed from giving blood, nor do they give you milk (sometimes a cookie) after donating.

    I recently tried to donate blood here in China. They didn’t know what to do with me. A laowai? Donating blood? After a 15 minute confab of knocking five heads together, they decided they couldn’t take my blood. Unless I got formal written permission (with the obligatory red stamp of approval), not only from my employer, but also from the head of the blood center.

  • http://www.bob.com/ Bob
  • Rick in China

    @chinapasticcio
    I’ve experienced the same, I didn’t try so hard, but enquired, and got a refusal…was kind of shocking – and unfortunate for someone being o-.

  • Rick in China

    @USTCer
    RE: Why not foreigners
    I believe it has to do with fear of liability should something go wrong. :)

  • GAC

    Foreigners can’t give blood.

    I guess that kinda makes this question a little pointless — but how do the amounts mentioned compare to the “units” used by the American Red Cross? I have to say I’ve donated a couple times — but only in the US — and I’m still not entirely sure how much a “unit” is.

  • Rick in China

    GAC
    The ARC takes approx. a pint from the average adult donation, and our bodies hold about 10-12 pints. Certainly some variance for different body sizes/weights. USTCer mentions 1 pint = 473cc.

    To be more precise on the calculation one “unit” of blood is equal to 450ml, which is just under a pint. CC and ML are the same thing. (cubic centimeters, milliliters)

    It’s understandable that in china the average donation be less, maybe 350ml, because the average body weighs less and, of course, contains less blood.

  • GAC

    @ Rick in China

    Thanks for the info. I had thought it was about a pint — which was why I was asking, since when I did the conversion to ml I though “huh, 400 isn’t as much as they take from me”. But then again, the difference average body weight probably does mean it makes sense for Chinese blood donation authorities to have different standards. I weigh in at 180 lbs and donating makes me a tad dizzy (though I could probably stand up before they usually let me).

  • David

    Chinese are chicken when it comes to donating blood…
    In canada standard donation amount is 500cc worth.
    I donate every 6 month.

  • Parapraxis

    Long time lurker… thought I might clear something up here…

    In the US, we can use a flow cytometer to detect the blood typing, so administering the wrong blood type is not really an issue. It’s a complex sounding machine, but pretty easy to use.

    Otherwise, we have to utilize an antigen binding system. That requires a drop of blood and antibodies to visually inspect for clumping. Again, easy, and low cost.

    Testing for diseases is pretty rigorous here in the US; that’s what those extra vials are for when you donate blood. They’ll test the blood in the vial; if it doesn’t pass muster (say, a Hepatitis antibody marker, or a inconclusive result), we take it out of circulation. Often times, we also use the barcode to find the person who donated it and suggest that they visit a doctor for a blood workup.

    Are there lazy phlebotomists? Of course! Are they lazy about their work? Hell no. There’s a lot of documentation involved, and the extent it would take to fake the work would far exceed the actual work involved in the process.

    It’s not the testing process itself that is difficult, it’s the documentation. If the Chinese are unwilling to keep adequate records on the types of blood donated (whether it be ignorance or plain laziness), then you’re setting yourself up for outbreaks, like the CJD in Japan in the 80s or other situations.

    Granted, this all assumes that the patient is treated properly and in sterile conditions at the primary level (aka: interaction with nurses at hospitals).

    PS: In the US, they give you tons of cookies, juice, and sometimes pizza to keep your blood sugar/volume up. I think something more than melamine tainted milk would be a better idea.

  • hallo

    @USTCer

    450ml does not take into account the ~50ml needed for screening & testing. Those are drawn separately in 5x10ml collection tubes.

  • Fuller

    @Rick and Parapraxis
    Sounds like the US at least, does have a very rigorous system for testing blood, as I knew they would. It would be litigation up the ass if anyone screwed that up.

    @Rick
    My comments about people not doing their jobs well here was not caused by “smoking assumption dope” (that was a cheesey line by the way) but by talking to a lot of different people in Beijing that are in the business and manufacturing industries, as well as my own observations and thos of my friends and colleagues. Disagree if you like, but it’s a problem that every developing nation has to go through as they transition from simply producing any goods and services they can (because anything is better than nothing) to improving the quality and safety of those goods and services.

  • Jie

    The problem here in which people have so many issues over 200cc or 400cc stems from some deep-root Chinese traditional medical concept: blood is a precious precious component of your body. You see people have poultry blood or pig blood soup in China, and take deer blood, tiger blood, etc as traditional medicine. There is long stigma over blood donation. My mom does not allow me to donate blood at all, as she thinks that would hurt my body. I did it in Singapore and US anyways, so that she did not know about it and would not worry for my health. It is a lot of progress here that we see people volunteer to donate blood, but the stigma still lives and most donors have some kind of personal bottom line that beyond which they would not be willing to donate any more.

  • Rick in China

    @Fuller
    Comparing a doctor or lab technician to the information you get from people who run factories about their line-working migrants laborers isn’t a valid comparison.

  • Hawaiian-chinese

    info from Hawaii bloodbank. 1 pint = 568.261 cc
    5. How much blood is taken?

    A skilled, specially trained technician will draw one pint.

    http://www.bbh.org/donating/faq.htm

  • Fuller

    @ Rick
    Sorry for taking so long – been too busy!
    Really? I disagree. I don’t think you can so easily separate people just by job status.
    Unless you are suggesting that somehow because the higher level jobs involve more education, so the people are more likely to be more responsible.
    Not to stick words in your mouth, but since I probably won’t be on here again for 2 weeks, let’s explore that one.
    From what I’ve read about Chinese universities (on this excellent website – the story about “pouring shit into student’s minds”) I think that just because they’ve had the opportunity at higher education doesn’t mean they are necessarily more educated or more willing or able to be more responsible for doing their jobs properly.
    And besides, I’m not just talking about migrant workers. I’m talking about professional people and people that are in charge of shifts of migrant workers (but not migrant workers themselves).
    Again, this is a necessary step in China’s development.

  • http://- Therealtom

    I was a regular donor for years back home, always understood it to be a pint (568ml).

    And , no, going to the pub straight after doesnt even get u drunk quicker……….

    What this thread best shows is the selfish mercenary nature of the chinese. Blood-suckers rather than donors. The NHS makes a tidy profit from the EXCESS of FREE donations it gets and this helps improve its service.

    The selfish, miserly, greedy chinese could learn a thing or two about having a civic soceity and building a better country.

    I would not trust their competence here, which is a shame as I’m O-.

  • http://www.mapinc.org/top100.htm jayman

    I realize this is about donating in China, but lots of people seem curious about it, so here’s the American experience in a nutshell. Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, but as O-, ~200cm ~100kg, I see them all the time.

    There are four parts to whole blood: platelets, plasma, red blood cells (rbc), and white blood cells (wbc).

    In the United States… California specifically (not where I live, just happens to be the most expensive) hospitals are charged a little over $200 US (~1400 yuan) for each unit (450cc) of whole blood, which covers the costs of collecting, testing, transporting, and storing it. Blood is a not-for-profit enterprise here which means patients are charged the same price hospitals pay, sometimes even less.

    In the US, you do not get paid to donate, although some hospitals offer up to $35 US (~240 yuan) per pint of plasma for medical testing and manufacturing purposes. (Plasma donation is where they put two needles in you and return the solids back into your body.) If the donor is paid, the blood products may not be used for human transfusions. (This law was enacted in the 1970s, when it was discovered that for some reason paid ‘donors’ (is that possible?) where up to 3 times more likely to carry STDs than unpaid donors.) Sometimes certain companies will partner with the Red Cross to offer incentives like a free scoop of ice cream or something. This both rewards people for donating and drives business for the company.

    There are differing requirements as to how often you may donate in the US. Platelets can be collected again after as little as 72 hours, but not more than 24x/year. Plasma can be taken every 48 hours, but not more than 12x/year. White blood cells are generally discarded, and are usually not collected separately while whole blood is once every 56 days.

    Regardless of locality, the collection center only takes a drop of blood for immediate testing, which confirms your blood count is high enough to successfully donate. (This is most likely the test skipped by LZ’s doctor, and it is not performed again in the lab so there is no chance for duplication (ie-skipping it because it was already done). While it could have been potentially dangerous for the LZ had his blood count been low, it is not dangerous to recipients of his blood.) Afterwards your blood is subjected to no less than 9 different tests for things like blood type, HIV and Hep C. The FDA is considering mandating an additional test for Chagas disease but that remains undetermined as of now. Your blood may also be used for other experiments unless you specifically deny permission. Finally, a portion of the leukocytes (white blood cells) are removed to reduce the risk of an adverse immune reaction.

    All test results are linked to a particular batch of blood through both barcode (computer) and paper (hand written) records. Positive indicators for certain contagious diseases must be reported to the health department and/or military commanders, as required by law. All other results are kept confidential.

    Supplies used for collection are always brand new. The packages are opened in front of the patient and then thrown away immediately after it is completed. It takes about ten minutes to draw down a pint of whole blood, about a half an hour for plasma.

    After you donate, you are held in a lounge for a few minutes where snacks and sugary drinks are available. Once enough time has passed for any ill effects to have become evident, you’re free to go. If there were no problems, a few days after your first donation they mail you a Donor Card which lists your blood type. If the tests found a problem, they will call you to tell you about it and recommend places for treatment.

  • Knowledgeable

    Giving blood in any way, shape or form is idiocy. I wonder if you all know that the Red Cross, that wonderful organizations, turns around and sells the blood you give for the same amount you would be paid if you went to a blood bank instead? Why exactly are you feeling altruistic, when all your actually doing is giving away something that a fat cat will pocket the money for. Either way someone will get your blood and be helped, wouldn’t it make more sense that at least you get the money, instea dof some total stranger who effectively marketed to make you feel guilty about seling it, so they in turn could sell it instead?

    Peeople who give blood or any other biological product are some of the dumbest sheep on planet earth. People who want to feel a hero, and that of course, if your being paid in any way, that takes away the nobility. “Here you go, take my blood, sell it instead of me selling it, and keep the money.” That makes no sense, your getting cheated, and ther Red Cross continues to operate it’s little middle man business.

    Your a hero either way, giving blood is painful, it takes time, and it weakens you for a short period, making you more susceptible to common colds and the flu. Why should you not be paid, the person you”donated” your blood to is. Duh.

    • Phoenix Bryant

      Will you be as narcissisticly self-righteous as you are in your post the day you are removed from what can barely be referred to as an automobile by the jaws-of-life, bleeding profusely, staining the asphalt. Only to be saved by one of those “dumbest sheep on planet earth.” Imagine, if we did follow your guidance, we wouldn’t have to worry about posting anymore stupid comments.

  • GAC

    @Knowledgable

    I see nothing wrong with giving away my biological materials, especially when I’m not familiar with any legal means of selling them (and I’m not going to trust my body to the black market). Perhaps there is a way for blood, I’ll have to take a look at that, but I know of no legal means of selling organs — and whether me (or my family, rather) would get compensation or not, I would never remove the “donor” designation from my driver’s license. I feel very strongly about this mainly because my father’s life was greatly improved and extended by a heart transplant.

    The main difference is that I don’t consider these actions heroic. Organ donation (after death) especially, as your only passing along some parts you no longer need. Blood donation also can save lives with relatively little effort (the weakness afterward doesn’t tend to bother me too much). To me, it’s not heroism — it’s my social responsibility (which is also why I absolutely refuse to take the free T-shirts that say “I give blood, what do you do.” — I know plenty of people that go through a lot more than that to help other people.)

    (Small note: Has nothing at all to do with your argument whatsoever, but I find your use of “give” here interesting. To me “giving”, when referring to biological products, would include “selling” as a subset — especially when you add “in any way, shape, or form”, while giving it for free would be emphasized by “giving away” or “donating”. I’m curious as to where you’re from. Please don’t take this as an insult — I’m not denigrating your usage, I’m a linguistics geek and tend to find such differences interesting.)

  • http://www.djforums.com BuddyUK

    A pint? that’s nearly an armful! :D

  • Phoenix Bryant

    I am sorry for the poor experiences many Chinese people have come away with after donating blood. In the United States the average donation is 1 US pint which equals 473.2 mL. The total time on average is 1 hour 15 minutes with the actual blood draw equaling 8-10 minutes for whole blood donations. Donors are encouraged to drink multiple refreshments during the remainder of the day in order replenish removed fluids. Donors may freely donate their blood 1 every 56 days safely. The Red Cross provides many snacks and drinks to get a donor started. In regard to paid blood donations all blood nowadays is donated. The reason has to do with the quality of the blood is higher from a populace that freely donates compared to one that pays or forces “blood donations.” As this was proven in a government study in the 70′s showing that “Paid” donor blood had higher levels of hepatitis contamination. All blood prior to medical use IS tested. The blood that hospitals pay for is not for the blood itself. The blood is looked upon as a “gift” from the donor to the recipient. Hospitals pay for the processing, handling, transport, servicing, and testing of the blood, not the blood itself. Even companies that pay for plasma donations are not paying for the plasma itself but for the “time required to donate.” All procedures require the use of a new and sterile blood withdrawal kit for every single donor. So if you visit America, please understand that you are as welcomed to donate blood as any citizen here is. We are grateful.

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