Donated blood is rigorously tested. They may test for antibodies, I'm not sure. People who have a cold, fever or the flu are not able to donate blood. Were you asked before you donated if you were ill, had a fever or had been ill recently? What physical distancing protocols were in place at the donation center?
I donated blood too last week. I have been trying to donate on schedule. I reached my first gallon. They give out nice prizes. I think they are going to test for the virus because they tested for zika when that virus was a concern.
I donated blood too last week. I have been trying to donate on schedule. I reached my first gallon. They give out nice prizes. I think they are going to test for the virus because they tested for zika when that virus was a concern.
@ihatediabetes . Thank you for donating it sure is needed right now . I use to do my part at the blood bank working but fainted everything I gave blood so I stopped this just worked at it .
@-bunjo In my area the Red Cross is asking for donations of platelets. Im assuming its because of the covid_19 people are to be staying home so they aren't going out to give blood. All types of blood are important but 0 negative is the universal blood that can be used for any type . Correct me if Im wrong about the universal being negative @colleenyoung . its been awhile since I worked at the blood bank
First, I want to thank you all for having a forum where one can get accurate information and support during these difficult times.
A bit about me: I am a 72 year old white male military veteran. My two tours in Vietnam left me 100% disabled. My disability consists of PTSD and loss of an eye. I have worked hard over the years since to overcome my acrophobia, which in the past has had me stay at home and completely isolated. I find it ironic that now I have easily fallen back into isolation with the blessings of the V.A. I have been totally isolated without Covid-19 symptoms in my NYC apartment with my 3 cats since March the 8th. I do not have a mask, nor any other protective gear.
That being said, this is not why I am writing. For the past several years I have been a consistent blood donor. I donate whole blood about every 2 months or so. The NY Blood Bank have pleaded with me to make plasma donations. I have shied away from doing so because I do not like anything going into my body. Take what wou want out, but do not put anything back in has been my feeling.
I am due to donate again at the end of April, and here is my question. Is it unreasonable for me to ask for a Covid-19 test, an antigen test, and a face mask as a condition? If given those 3 things, I would be willing to make a plasma donation, as creepy as that sounds to me. Surely the blood bank would need to know if I am infected, was infected, or am immune. So would I! The blood bank contacts with whome I have spoken with are schedulers, volunteers, and not medical experts.
As part of the donation process, after being hooked up, they take several test-tubes of blood for testing. It should be a no-brainer to do the Covid tests along with all the other tests they perform.
First, I want to thank you all for having a forum where one can get accurate information and support during these difficult times.
A bit about me: I am a 72 year old white male military veteran. My two tours in Vietnam left me 100% disabled. My disability consists of PTSD and loss of an eye. I have worked hard over the years since to overcome my acrophobia, which in the past has had me stay at home and completely isolated. I find it ironic that now I have easily fallen back into isolation with the blessings of the V.A. I have been totally isolated without Covid-19 symptoms in my NYC apartment with my 3 cats since March the 8th. I do not have a mask, nor any other protective gear.
That being said, this is not why I am writing. For the past several years I have been a consistent blood donor. I donate whole blood about every 2 months or so. The NY Blood Bank have pleaded with me to make plasma donations. I have shied away from doing so because I do not like anything going into my body. Take what wou want out, but do not put anything back in has been my feeling.
I am due to donate again at the end of April, and here is my question. Is it unreasonable for me to ask for a Covid-19 test, an antigen test, and a face mask as a condition? If given those 3 things, I would be willing to make a plasma donation, as creepy as that sounds to me. Surely the blood bank would need to know if I am infected, was infected, or am immune. So would I! The blood bank contacts with whome I have spoken with are schedulers, volunteers, and not medical experts.
As part of the donation process, after being hooked up, they take several test-tubes of blood for testing. It should be a no-brainer to do the Covid tests along with all the other tests they perform.
I did this so you can talk with others who have and are considering donating blood and asking about testing. @schlegdiesel and @ihatediabetes can share about their experiences donating blood during this time.
On Connect, members are fellow patients and caregivers, not medical professionals. Others have had the same questions as you about testing for COVID-19 and antibodies. Often patients are being asked to bring their own masks as they are in short supply at health care facilities. I don't know if the donation center would be able to fulfill that demand in NYC right now.
@lioness, the most common blood type is O negative. Here's a breakdown:
O positive: 35%
O negative: 13%
A positive: 30%
A negative: 8%
B positive: 8%
B negative: 2%
AB positive: 2%
AB negative: 1%
I did this so you can talk with others who have and are considering donating blood and asking about testing. @schlegdiesel and @ihatediabetes can share about their experiences donating blood during this time.
On Connect, members are fellow patients and caregivers, not medical professionals. Others have had the same questions as you about testing for COVID-19 and antibodies. Often patients are being asked to bring their own masks as they are in short supply at health care facilities. I don't know if the donation center would be able to fulfill that demand in NYC right now.
Hi. Thanks for the quick reply and re-posting to the proper group. To your question: I have had no luck dealing with technical issues speaking directly with "New York Blood Center". As an example, I had a Shingles Vaccine 8 days before my last donation. I called the day before to be sure I was able to donate. I was told that if I received Shingrix (non live) vaccine, I was good to go. When I arrived to donate there was much confusion. At first they would not take blood from me. They did not seem to know the difference between the different types of Shingles Vaccines, and were adamant about my not being able to donate. Only after they spoke to their medical director and to my Doc was I allowed to donate. They may very well be testing for Covid-19, at least I hope so! I don't think it unreasonable to be informed of the test results, in fact, it could be life-saving. Given my age and my COPD, it is a big risk for me to even leave my apartment, which I have not done for over a month. I "believe" that by law, if my tests turn up some problem, like AIDS for instance, they must inform me. What feedback I do get from them is an email stating that my blood was used at this facility or that for a particular use, I.E. save an accident victim or some such thing. That tells me that I am disease free. Now, with this pandemic afoot, things are a bit more complicated and dire, and the need to know details is more important than ever. I thought perhaps someone here may have had the same questions/concerns. However, after reading through this thread, it seems that may not be the case. Thanks again for your reply. I will continue to monitor this thread via e-mail. Thanks for your work here! Have a great day and be safe!
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@schlegdiesel, thank you for donating blood in Rochester. As this article outlines, there is a serious shortage of blood because people are not donating due to the pandemic.
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Blood donations in demand https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-blood-donations-in-demand/
Donated blood is rigorously tested. They may test for antibodies, I'm not sure. People who have a cold, fever or the flu are not able to donate blood. Were you asked before you donated if you were ill, had a fever or had been ill recently? What physical distancing protocols were in place at the donation center?
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5 ReactionsI donated blood too last week. I have been trying to donate on schedule. I reached my first gallon. They give out nice prizes. I think they are going to test for the virus because they tested for zika when that virus was a concern.
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7 Reactions@colleenyoung Here in Long Beach the Red Cross is asking people to donate plasma I think the blood donations are down because of this pandemic.
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4 Reactions@ihatediabetes . Thank you for donating it sure is needed right now . I use to do my part at the blood bank working but fainted everything I gave blood so I stopped this just worked at it .
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5 ReactionsWhy is it down? What kind of blood type is most essential?
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3 Reactions@-bunjo In my area the Red Cross is asking for donations of platelets. Im assuming its because of the covid_19 people are to be staying home so they aren't going out to give blood. All types of blood are important but 0 negative is the universal blood that can be used for any type . Correct me if Im wrong about the universal being negative @colleenyoung . its been awhile since I worked at the blood bank
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5 ReactionsFirst, I want to thank you all for having a forum where one can get accurate information and support during these difficult times.
A bit about me: I am a 72 year old white male military veteran. My two tours in Vietnam left me 100% disabled. My disability consists of PTSD and loss of an eye. I have worked hard over the years since to overcome my acrophobia, which in the past has had me stay at home and completely isolated. I find it ironic that now I have easily fallen back into isolation with the blessings of the V.A. I have been totally isolated without Covid-19 symptoms in my NYC apartment with my 3 cats since March the 8th. I do not have a mask, nor any other protective gear.
That being said, this is not why I am writing. For the past several years I have been a consistent blood donor. I donate whole blood about every 2 months or so. The NY Blood Bank have pleaded with me to make plasma donations. I have shied away from doing so because I do not like anything going into my body. Take what wou want out, but do not put anything back in has been my feeling.
I am due to donate again at the end of April, and here is my question. Is it unreasonable for me to ask for a Covid-19 test, an antigen test, and a face mask as a condition? If given those 3 things, I would be willing to make a plasma donation, as creepy as that sounds to me. Surely the blood bank would need to know if I am infected, was infected, or am immune. So would I! The blood bank contacts with whome I have spoken with are schedulers, volunteers, and not medical experts.
As part of the donation process, after being hooked up, they take several test-tubes of blood for testing. It should be a no-brainer to do the Covid tests along with all the other tests they perform.
What say you medical experts on this list?
Best regards
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4 ReactionsHi @seafire and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to an existing discussion about Donating Blood during COVID-19 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/donating-blood/
I did this so you can talk with others who have and are considering donating blood and asking about testing. @schlegdiesel and @ihatediabetes can share about their experiences donating blood during this time.
On Connect, members are fellow patients and caregivers, not medical professionals. Others have had the same questions as you about testing for COVID-19 and antibodies. Often patients are being asked to bring their own masks as they are in short supply at health care facilities. I don't know if the donation center would be able to fulfill that demand in NYC right now.
Here's a video about the high demand for blood during COVID
https://youtu.be/ASSzPwnf2ow
Your questions are good questions. Is this something you can ask the blood bank before you go?
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3 ReactionsHi @bunjo, plasma is in the highest demand at the moment. Daily you can see which blood types are need by visiting
- Blood Inventory at Mayo Clinic Rochester MN https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/blood-donor-program/
The data is updated daily.
@lioness, the most common blood type is O negative. Here's a breakdown:
O positive: 35%
O negative: 13%
A positive: 30%
A negative: 8%
B positive: 8%
B negative: 2%
AB positive: 2%
AB negative: 1%
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2 ReactionsHi. Thanks for the quick reply and re-posting to the proper group. To your question: I have had no luck dealing with technical issues speaking directly with "New York Blood Center". As an example, I had a Shingles Vaccine 8 days before my last donation. I called the day before to be sure I was able to donate. I was told that if I received Shingrix (non live) vaccine, I was good to go. When I arrived to donate there was much confusion. At first they would not take blood from me. They did not seem to know the difference between the different types of Shingles Vaccines, and were adamant about my not being able to donate. Only after they spoke to their medical director and to my Doc was I allowed to donate. They may very well be testing for Covid-19, at least I hope so! I don't think it unreasonable to be informed of the test results, in fact, it could be life-saving. Given my age and my COPD, it is a big risk for me to even leave my apartment, which I have not done for over a month. I "believe" that by law, if my tests turn up some problem, like AIDS for instance, they must inform me. What feedback I do get from them is an email stating that my blood was used at this facility or that for a particular use, I.E. save an accident victim or some such thing. That tells me that I am disease free. Now, with this pandemic afoot, things are a bit more complicated and dire, and the need to know details is more important than ever. I thought perhaps someone here may have had the same questions/concerns. However, after reading through this thread, it seems that may not be the case. Thanks again for your reply. I will continue to monitor this thread via e-mail. Thanks for your work here! Have a great day and be safe!
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3 Reactions