Has the Red Cross ever contacted you about your blood donation tests?

Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
When you donate blood at the American Red Cross, they tell you that they'll be testing your blood for various things. Has anyone ever gotten results back one way or the other? How accurate do you think those tests are?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I've never gotten any test results from ARC
48  (71%)
I've gotten test results back from ARC
1  (1%)
I can't donate blood.
19  (28%)
Total votes: 68
Poll is closed
11/29/2011
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Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I've never gotten anything back, although now that I think about it I'm not sure I've successfully donated blood. Each time I've tried I got the bag half full then I stopped spitting out blood, so they couldn't use it.
11/29/2011
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I take ADD medication that makes my heart rate high. They won't take blood if your pulse is above some number, I forget what it is. Every time I've ever tried to give blood my pulse is way over that number. One time I tried three different times during the day and I was over the heart rate every time. I don't even bother trying anymore.
11/29/2011
Contributor: deletedacct deletedacct
I haven't donated blood in a few years because of my piercings & tattoos. When i did, they never gave me any results. Hmmm.
11/29/2011
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
I've not been able to donate blood because of my piercings and tattoos.
11/29/2011
Contributor: PassionateLover2 PassionateLover2
I've given blood a couple of times in the last 6 years with negative results. I have, however, I've gotten so lightheaded I needed help out of the room. Reluctant to give now.
11/29/2011
Contributor: Gracie Gracie
I used to give more often, because I'm O-, a universal doner. But now only when they have the van where I happen to be, like church or the grocery store. Sometimes when I donate they are offering free screening tests like cholesterol, or glucose or one time it was a liver function test. That was not why I donated, but if they're offering I usally accept. I've always gotten those results back. Otherwise, I think the red cross only contacts doners when the blood is unusable because there is a problem. Its a case of no news is good news. I didn't vote since I wasn't sure what you meant.
11/29/2011
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Other - I donate through our local blood bank. For each donation they report my BP, temp, pulse an cholesterol. I have an online history file that goes back to 2006.
11/29/2011
Contributor: Flash777 Flash777
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
When you donate blood at the American Red Cross, they tell you that they'll be testing your blood for various things. Has anyone ever gotten results back one way or the other? How accurate do you think those tests are?
Never given blood, I dont like to part with my precious bodily fluids
12/21/2011
Contributor: GonetoLovehoney GonetoLovehoney
I give blood occasionally and the vampires at my local blood bank want me to donate more often. I'm O- but half the time I try to, I get rejected because I'm anemic at the time.
I try not to have a high iron diet unless it's necessary. *likes being a regular bathroom consultant*
But in all the years I've donated, no contact about my blood condition other than it being used to save someone's life. I've gotten those phone calls quite a few times.
12/21/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by Flash777
Never given blood, I dont like to part with my precious bodily fluids
ah, Dr. Strangelove...one of my fav. movies!
12/21/2011
Contributor: Megan Jean Megan Jean
Nope, thankfully I haven't gotten any letters from them.
12/22/2011
Contributor: LavenderSkies LavenderSkies
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
When you donate blood at the American Red Cross, they tell you that they'll be testing your blood for various things. Has anyone ever gotten results back one way or the other? How accurate do you think those tests are?
No, no results
12/23/2011
Contributor: Beck Beck
Quote:
Originally posted by Kitka
I've not been able to donate blood because of my piercings and tattoos.
That is actually not a factor.

I donate all the time when I can. Lately my iron has not been very good, but I spent just spent my last four years pregnant and breastfeeding, so that would make a difference. I love to give more, but I just can't make it to the donation places. My hubby donates every 60 days, since he is O-.

My history teacher was contacted one time and said that he has some disease, but the issue was not that he had the disease it was that he had taken a aspirin, which changed the results, so they are not always accurate.
12/23/2011
Contributor: EdenJP EdenJP
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
When you donate blood at the American Red Cross, they tell you that they'll be testing your blood for various things. Has anyone ever gotten results back one way or the other? How accurate do you think those tests are?
Never donated
12/26/2011
Contributor: Peggi Peggi
Quote:
Originally posted by Beck
That is actually not a factor.

I donate all the time when I can. Lately my iron has not been very good, but I spent just spent my last four years pregnant and breastfeeding, so that would make a difference. I love to give more, but I just ... more
Some places are no longer accepting donations with people who have piercings or tats because they are "high risk" because of potential infections, blood poisoning, etc.
12/26/2011
Contributor: Rarity Rarity
I don't believe I am able to donate because I am "underweight."
12/26/2011
Contributor: Curiouscat Curiouscat
I cannot donate. Or atleast i don't think i can. I injure myself, so i don't think i'd be accepted to donate, i spare myself the embarassment and don't even try to give blood or ask.
I've always wanted to though, we had regular visits from the red cross in high school i would have loved to. Nice to help people out.

Now that i'm in college i have not seen anything about the red cross in a long time. Never see them around anymore.
12/26/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
No, I can't donate. The weight limit for donating is 115 and I'm only 96 lbs.
12/26/2011
Contributor: Missmarc Missmarc
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
When you donate blood at the American Red Cross, they tell you that they'll be testing your blood for various things. Has anyone ever gotten results back one way or the other? How accurate do you think those tests are?
I tried to donate blood twice. The first time they rejected me after finding out that I've been out of the country about 2 years prior to it. The second time, I was finally eligible. I passed out just as the bag was about to fill up (around 98%). So they said they couldn't use the bag. They've never contacted me afterwards.
12/26/2011
Contributor: fredacarl fredacarl
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
When you donate blood at the American Red Cross, they tell you that they'll be testing your blood for various things. Has anyone ever gotten results back one way or the other? How accurate do you think those tests are?
I've never gotten any test
02/14/2012
Contributor: ViVix ViVix
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
When you donate blood at the American Red Cross, they tell you that they'll be testing your blood for various things. Has anyone ever gotten results back one way or the other? How accurate do you think those tests are?
I've never gotten anything back, so I assume all is well.
02/15/2012
Contributor: richsam richsam
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
When you donate blood at the American Red Cross, they tell you that they'll be testing your blood for various things. Has anyone ever gotten results back one way or the other? How accurate do you think those tests are?
've never gotten any test results from ARC
02/17/2012
Contributor: spineyogurt spineyogurt
They do that? Thats nice of them
02/28/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Beck
That is actually not a factor.

I donate all the time when I can. Lately my iron has not been very good, but I spent just spent my last four years pregnant and breastfeeding, so that would make a difference. I love to give more, but I just ... more
Because of the misconception of Hep and HIV transmission, you used to be told to wait a year after a tattoo. Then, it was six months, then 4 months. It's probably best to talk to someone at the Red Cross or the hospital blood bank to see what their rules are.
03/10/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Missmarc
I tried to donate blood twice. The first time they rejected me after finding out that I've been out of the country about 2 years prior to it. The second time, I was finally eligible. I passed out just as the bag was about to fill up (around 98%). ... more
That's very strange. I've worked blood drives (as for years I was too light to donate) and people pass out all the time. As long as they can fill the bag, we always used it. We just put their head down (by lowering the head of the chaise lounge) and their feet up, put ice packs on their neck and head and they wake up in a minute. We have them get up slowly, with help, and make sure they have lots of cookies and juice and can walk with no problem or have a ride before we let them go.
03/10/2012
Contributor: tinadice tinadice
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
When you donate blood at the American Red Cross, they tell you that they'll be testing your blood for various things. Has anyone ever gotten results back one way or the other? How accurate do you think those tests are?
I've never gotten anything back
03/10/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
I don't weigh enough to donate blood.
03/10/2012
Contributor: Badass Badass
ive never gotten anything back...
03/10/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
Because of the misconception of Hep and HIV transmission, you used to be told to wait a year after a tattoo. Then, it was six months, then 4 months. It's probably best to talk to someone at the Red Cross or the hospital blood bank to see what ... more
I know this. I have many visable tattoos and piercings, they have never asked me a single question about it as well as my hubby. You can read about the rules of tattooing and donation on their site. It varies state to state because of the regulations on tattoos in the state. This is from there site:

"Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. There are 32 states that currently regulate tattoo facilities. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation."

My state most be one of those 32 because I have never been asked a single question about tattoos nor has my partner and we both have many visible ones.
03/10/2012