Right before my brother went to boot camp he donated blood. The Red Cross sent him a letter saying his blood had been rejected because of Heptatits. This freaked out Mom and she hustled him off to the doctor, who did some tests and said that at some point my brother had been exposed to it, but didn't have it, and wasn't going to develop it. The Red Cross was being extra extra careful.

I've given blood a few times, but the last time I barely staggered home, didn't close my door, and passed out until my boyfriend came over and woke me up which was several hours later. So I've been reluctant to give blood after that.

US Red Cross Donor eligibility guidelines.

This was useful. They seem to have changed to rules so that they reflect the gradient of risk more. It looks like I can donate again (time in most European countries has increased from six months to five years), although I'm pushing the limit on time visiting the U.K., which has decreased.

I'll get you next time!

and your little dog too!

I lived in the UK for 7 months, and have been back for varying lengths of time several times since then. I'm hosed.

Well. New email in my inbox.

Tornado warning for northern Baltimore County (I'm about 15 or so miles south of the area in question-Shawan/Butler.) Warning means DUCK.

Weird. I guess work is notifying all of us (15 miles AWAY) in case someone is telecommuting from up there.

Yeah, we're universal recipients, my sister is a universal donor (for rh positive). Sorry I got you and your sister reversed, Kathy, I had it right in my head, but my fingers messed it up.

Interesting. I don't even know what type of blood I have. I feel like it would be a good idea, but even thinking of it is making me slightly queasy.

Now, if a family member or a friend needed it, I would bite the bullet, but as is, I just...bleargh.

I used to give regularly until they added something about CJD that prevents me from giving now. Needles don't bother me in the least. A couple of years ago, I had to go to the doctor every morning before work for blood tests for about 8 weeks. I quickly got over any squick I may have had about needles then.

No problem. My own mother can't keep us straight at times (I'm "Kr--athy", and she's "Ka-Kris"), so I definitely don't expect anyone else to! My grandma had it worse, what with 24 grandchildren who seemed to have been born in batches. There were five boys born within a few years of each other, including my brother, so when Gramma would see him, she'd run through the list before finally getting it right. ("Pat? Jim? Tim? Joe? Kip--finally!")

See, I had no problem giving my old kitty Solomon his diabetes shots, but they were subcutaneous and I didn't SEE the needle go in -- fur obscured it.

I can't watch needles on TV. I have to hide my eyes. Scapels, sure. Surgery, blood, guts, no prob.

Teeny needle -- GAH