Posted on 09/14/2013 2:37:12 PM PDT by zeugma
and they can give the gummint a record of yer blood type
If so, then it’s likely that somebody sued them, and their lawyers told them that they had to change the forms to cover all the bases.
Agreed. That's one of the things I was thinking earlier as well. I guess it was just the in-your-face nature of it that I just couldn't stomach.
Ha! These days they don't even do that. You get "credits" at an online store that let you get tshirts and such. It's a bit if a scam for them, as they charge quite a bit to hospitals for the donated blood they receive, but I don't really mind that. It's a business. They've just reached a point now that I don't think I can continue to do business with them.
If they can't deal with having a checkbox that I don't want to participate in other things I didn't give my consent for, then there is no deal. Pretty simple really.
As for thanks, you're quite welcome but to me, its really just something that I consider to be 'the least I can do', since I'm healthy, and there is no alternative in some cases for folks than having real human blood.
Unless you are giving blood directly to the hospital, then you are giving blood for free, which is then sold for hundreds of dollars.
Red Cross and other donation locations that are “independent” are “for profit.” Don’t let them kid you. They sell to the highest bidder.
Yup. Also, the medical industry has gone as far as attempting to patent the DNA and other things that were donated to them in programs like this.
I read a story a while back about a fellow in Australia that had a really weird blood type, that could be used with infants. He was apparently the sole source world-wide for whatever it was that was in his blood. I can't recall if they've been able to synthesise it artificially, but he was single-handedly responsible for tens of thousands if not more, of saved lives. If they did, I would question whether or not he should have been compensated for it.
Also, as stated previously on the thread, every single vial is barcoded. They'll know exactly where it came from if they want to.
I figured I'd look the fellow up. Looks like I mistated the impact this guy had. From wikipedia:
James Harrison, OAM, also known as the Man with the golden arm, is a blood plasma donor[1] from Australia whose unusual plasma composition has been used to make a treatment for Rhesus disease. He has made over 1000 donations throughout his lifetime, and these donations are estimated to have saved over two million unborn babies from the condition.[1][2][3]
Wow.
I found out my local hospital charges $4,000 a pint bag for blood. I still give blood though, makes me feel like superman the rest of the day. My last time on the table I pumped out a pint in 6 minutes, hehe. My friend had 7 stiches in his hand and went to the above hospital, he got a 3,700 dollar bill. We made a pact to stich ourselves up from now on, thank you very much.
I was a regular blood donor (rare type BTW) before & after 9-11-01. Ate my first Chick Fil-A with a coupon the Red Cross gave me for my 9-11 donation.
That was long AFTER I had been stationed in Germany 1981-83.
Been disqualified for years now due to `mad cow exposure’. Sucks.
It’s “intended” purpose is whatever they want to do with it. Once you give it to them it’s theirs, they can give to people that need blood in their body, or their test tubes, their call not yours. This isn’t about negotiating terms, it’s about ownership, once you buy that car it’s yours to do with as you please, the dealer has no say in the matter. It’s not just about having a checkbox, it’s then a matter of tracking, they’d have to track the blood and make sure it was used according to the checkbox. It might be simple, but it’s wasted effort because it’s not your blood anymore and what you want to have happen to it doesn’t matter anymore.
I realize your brushing off of the “thanks” is because you see it as a reasonable expectation - but many many people don’t see it that way. A very small percentage of the population make regular blood donations. A very small increase in the number of donors would increase the blood supply to a point that we likely wouldn’t have to hear the please for blood during those “peak” times.
I’m not sure about the need for consent on partial draws (or even full donations), unless that is a policy change (or regulation change). One might make an argument that such an organization that you donate blood too SHOULD at least let you know that blood products might be used for other purposes than those we normally associate with said donations.
As far as the separate vials - over the years, it has increased from one, to two, and the last time I donated, I believe there were three vials attached to the collection bag that were also filled. When I ask, they said that they all are for testing purposes. But as always, YMMV
Mad Cow exposure???? YOu’ve got to be kidding!!!! 30 YEARS after the fact? I believe you are WAY beyond any conceivable incubation period!
They have to, at least to a point. First - because of the extensive battery of testing done on the blood samples (those attached vials) for AIDS, Hepatitis, etc.) but also, sort of like a serial number in case something comes up later.
Me, too - although my service was early 90s. And I’m O-negative.
Just checked their eligibility list. Stationed in Germany more than six months during 1980-1990 means “no go”. Apparently there is a human-invasive strain of mad cow disease. Given the last two presidential elections there may be something to that.
But just wait, sooner or later the faggies are going to go to the head of the donation line. PC is a powerful thing.
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