Friday Five
Jun. 11th, 2004 01:25 pmCourtesy of ![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rastuspants, via a new LJ community, ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thefridayfive.
1. What blood group are you?
O-positive. Not quite the universal donor.
2. Do you give blood? Why/why not?
Up until April 2002, I donated both whole blood & platelets to the American Red Cross on a regular basis. But after my ten-day holiday to Scotland, I was permanently deferred from giving blood in the United States because the total amount of time I had spent in the UK since 1980 (I lived in Kent for a summer in 1992, plus ten days of holiday) exceeded three months. Therefore, according to their rules, I was at risk for transmitting mad cow disease. I will point out at this point that I ate no meat at any point during my trips to the UK, as I am a vegetarian.
While living in Scotland this year, I have been regularly donating whole blood. I was deferred for a month when I first got here, since Americans are considered to be at risk for transmitting West Nile virus. Also, I was deferred as a donor for platelets because my platelet count was not high enough.
As to why I donate .... isn't the answer obvious? Because I can, & by doing so, I help save lives. This one is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned.
3. Are you listed as an organ donor? Again, why/why not?
Yes, my driver's license has the organ donor sticker on it. I've also discussed my wishes with Stacy & my parents. Again, I don't understand why I wouldn't agree to donate organs .... if I'm dead (or brain-dead), what am I going to do with them? I've heard of cases where as many as 47 transplants were made from one donor. That would be an incredible final gift to make - & all I have to do is say "Sure, fine, do it."
4. Would you donate an organ or other part of your body (eg bone marrow) while still alive?
Yes. Last March, I contacted a nurse in response to a LiveJournal plea for a lung lobe transplant for [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com], but I was not considered because I live too far away. Donors were found, but Allison died before the surgery could be performed. I haven't registered for a bone marrow registry; something to look into.
5. Would you consider leaving your body to medical science? Or maybe just parts of your body?
I would prefer that my body was used for organ donations. As for leaving the whole thing to science, I suppose someone could convince me to do this. I'd want to know what kind of research, first.
rastuspants, via a new LJ community, thefridayfive.1. What blood group are you?
O-positive. Not quite the universal donor.
2. Do you give blood? Why/why not?
Up until April 2002, I donated both whole blood & platelets to the American Red Cross on a regular basis. But after my ten-day holiday to Scotland, I was permanently deferred from giving blood in the United States because the total amount of time I had spent in the UK since 1980 (I lived in Kent for a summer in 1992, plus ten days of holiday) exceeded three months. Therefore, according to their rules, I was at risk for transmitting mad cow disease. I will point out at this point that I ate no meat at any point during my trips to the UK, as I am a vegetarian.
While living in Scotland this year, I have been regularly donating whole blood. I was deferred for a month when I first got here, since Americans are considered to be at risk for transmitting West Nile virus. Also, I was deferred as a donor for platelets because my platelet count was not high enough.
As to why I donate .... isn't the answer obvious? Because I can, & by doing so, I help save lives. This one is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned.
3. Are you listed as an organ donor? Again, why/why not?
Yes, my driver's license has the organ donor sticker on it. I've also discussed my wishes with Stacy & my parents. Again, I don't understand why I wouldn't agree to donate organs .... if I'm dead (or brain-dead), what am I going to do with them? I've heard of cases where as many as 47 transplants were made from one donor. That would be an incredible final gift to make - & all I have to do is say "Sure, fine, do it."
4. Would you donate an organ or other part of your body (eg bone marrow) while still alive?
Yes. Last March, I contacted a nurse in response to a LiveJournal plea for a lung lobe transplant for [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com], but I was not considered because I live too far away. Donors were found, but Allison died before the surgery could be performed. I haven't registered for a bone marrow registry; something to look into.
5. Would you consider leaving your body to medical science? Or maybe just parts of your body?
I would prefer that my body was used for organ donations. As for leaving the whole thing to science, I suppose someone could convince me to do this. I'd want to know what kind of research, first.
