Giving blood

[ytsejam]

My blood type is A negative. I think I should give back by giving blood.
I looked up info and donating and saw where I can donate whole blood or "power red".
I don't know what is the best way I can give back.
Gave blood to myself years ago for surgical reasons, didn't get any of it back and was pissed about it for years.

But I'm over that petty bullshit now and want give back.
Who among our medical folks can guide me in best direction?
If someone needed my blood or parts of it or whatever and came through because of it, that would be great.

 

[Anytime23]

Google donate blood

 

[Hawkeye OG]

I have donated 3 gallons of blood. I know this because they send me a nice sticker for each gallon. I have no idea what you mean by 'power red'. I typically just do whole blood - a pint every 8 weeks.

I'm assuming it is the Double Red Cell donation - I've done that in the past. They essentially collect red blood cells and return the remaining components to you. It's weird on the return and makes you really cold, but they are able to collect twice as many red blood cells as a whole blood donation. They prefer it and always try to get me to do it. You can't really tell a difference tbh, it just takes longer and feels weird.

 

[Ares]

Fun fact, type 1 diabetics are not allowed to donate blood.

I've never done it.

 

[ijustposthere]

Give plasma.