Give for life! Give for hope! by Faemike55
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Description
What you are looking at is the machine that sucked out 2 pints of blood out of me, separated out the red blood cells and pumped the plasma back in (plus a little saline solution).
It's done like this: after the interview where you are asked some very personal questions, including who and what and very importantly where and when. you are led to a large bench where they check which arm is best to do the draw and pump. in this case, my left arm has the better vessels. they attach a auto-blood pressure cuff to the upper arm and after inserting the needle, they start the machine.
Stage one: draw the first pint of blood and collect it in the centrifuge inside the device. This will spin the blood so the red blood cells are filtered out. the left over plaasma, which is straw coloured, is then pumped into the first bag while the Red Blood Cells are pumped into the bag located behind.
Stage two: After the chamber is emptied, the machine reverses itself and pumps the plasma plus some saline solution back into my arm.
Stage three: repeat Stage One
Stage four: repeat Stage Two
This whole procedure should and does take 35 to 40 minutes. it is machine dependant. there is no deviation in the time.
This shot was taken on the last stage (4) where the machine was pumping my plasma back into me. the foam on top is the air bubbles that occur because of the machine.
When someone does this procedure, known as the Double Red Cell Donation, they cannot give blood for 112 days. With a regular donation, which I can do in 5 minutes, I can give blood again in 56 days. I give blood because I have undergone a lot of surgeries in my youth and I feel that I should give back.
this was the image that I wanted to post Friday but decided that I let Admin check it out and give the okay or nay. As you can see, they said I could.
If you get a chance and you are able, please give blood. when you do, you give life, you give hope.
Thank you for all your wonderful comments and faves. I greatly appreciate it.
Have a great week.
Mike
ps just so you know, you are weak as a kitten when you are down 2 pints of RBCs. but I'm doing great now.
Comments (77)
Foo-Dog
You are a noble person for your efforts. there are many grateful people out there.
mgtcs
Wonderful photo Mike, you are a marvelous person, fantastic description!
Iceshark39
resists the urge to shudder Bless your heart for doing this, Mike! You really are a lifesaver. I'm a certified COWARD when it comes to having blood taken (even for simple tests) and a noted fainter when I do have to. It's wonderful that you do this and just think, the life you save could be mine! (HA! Now, if that isn't scary, NOTHING is! :-) )
brycek
Good capture Mike and great description!!
SWard80
An inspirational message and image, plus some interesting facts about the whole process. Great work, and you have my deepest respect for your donation.
DennisReed
Wonderful way to give Mike!
mikeerson
I don't know Mike, that room doesn't look steril - lol... you just might get something - lol... OK, that's not funny, unless you look at the picture - it looks like someone is wraffleing off potato salad - lol ...the room looks cluttered and if you're doing your blood drain in a garage.... Ya know Mike, you can give Plasma twice a week, drink lots of liquid the night before .... Plasma centers have tvs that show movies because the process takes so long. A woman can get in and out in 30 to 40 minutes.... Me? It has taken me on the average an hour to an hour and a half. Longest? 2 hours on the dot.
bazza
Great shot of this equipment Mike and good on you for giving blood your a life saver my friend. Well done!!
tradesman
excellent description mike, you are alot braver than i am.
Alealonna
I absolutely adore you for this! The last time that I went to donate blood they wouldn't accept me because I had a pimple on my arm. I've since wanted to try again but sadly haven't found the time. It's quite a pathetic excuse, I know. I think that I will look up blood drives that are coming up soon and attend one again. Hopefully they will find nothing wrong. I have had enough IV's and needles in my arm that it doesn't effect me anymore. Cheers!
HeatherT
Oh Mike, this is another amazing technology! I have just had a pacemaker implanted a week ago and during that time I too saw and learnt about incredible and lifesaving equipment that we all take so much for granted. My life has changed now but I am so glad to know I am safe. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Grimslade
great message and reminder Mike!
renecyberdoc
i agree completely with monica,you are a very fine person mike.
Bossie_Boots
Well done mike if it was not for people like you then people like me would not be alive today thank you and all the other wonderful people who donate hugs lou x
Madbat
I Wish I could give, but I have a very high white cell and sedementary count from arthritis, they won't take me. God knows I've had enough blood taken from tests, Donating wouldn't be a big deal. Hat's off to you for doing that!
Roywig
I am one of the very grateful people Mike, I used to give blood in my younger days then I badly needed some myself. Thanks to people like you I can type this.
jclP
Good capture Mike and great description
Savage_dragon
Now, that's something you don't see every day. Cool shot. ")
lyron
Great description. You are a good man!!!
UteBigSmile
Great info Mike, this picture reminds me, that there was a time for me, when I got a blood transfusion, God bless all the people who gives her blood to help other people!!! Wish you a great new week dear friend, hug's Ute
adrie
Great info and photoshot Mike, you are a wonderful person with a very big heart for other people.....hugs Adrie.
alKhall
I go for the cup of tea and biscuit afterwards Mike, well done sir!!!! :0)
ledwolorz
Great description.
whaleman
I've never done this method when I donated many times in my younger days. Strangely, in later years when I had open heart surgery, I apparently never needed any donated blood. They are quite skillful in avoiding blood loss during surgery these days.
BIGBEAR1965
Awesome shot and message Mike, well done!
JSGraphics
Awesome work! Well Done!
jmb007
beau message
efron_241
you are right !!!!
magnus073
Great job Mike as giving back is a great way to show how grateful you are.
Steff_7
Great shot and clear message...We need more people like you.