[Kimberly]

Here in Canada, we have the Red Cross canvassing for blood donors.
My mother donates religiously. And I have donated before, but I cannot donate any longer due to anaemia. (female related issue)

Well, I was thinking this morning, about the Sept 11 attacks on USA. And about how thousands of Canadians donated MEGA LITRES of blood. A huge supply was sent to the USA because the government there said that "they would need it" ... so the average Canadian went out, laid down and had a catheter inserted into a vein to bleed for these poor Americans who would need the blood to survive.

Well, I began thinking, survive? Survivors? Is this what they meant? There were no survivors from the WTC?? Where did the blood go? Did they send it back? No, they kept it. So now the USA health care system has tonnes of blood in surplus to re-sell to their citizens.

A blood transfusion can cost upto 500 usd, maybe even more! PER PINT!!

Americans don't get blood transfusions for free!

While your hearts cries for the people suffering from the WTC, what about the people on your own soil? The little Canadian girl who will die because of no suitable donors?

The man who needs massive surgery because of a hit and run accident?

These are Canadians!! Their transfusions are free! But there is no blood for them, because no one donates. But we all dontaed to USA when they asked for it. And they didn't even use it. Now they can re-sell it.

I think I would be asking for mine back.

Does anyone know where the blood went? Does anyone know exactly how much blood was sent? Because I sure would like to know.

And tell me that the survivors from the WTC used it all, I think there was what, maybe 8 survivors? Maybe less?

Someone fill me in.

The more I think about it, the more perturbed I get.

[RoyalHighlander]

There was an article not long ago, that said they had to destroy a large amount of blood as they couldnt keep it all... Gonna look into that.. GOOD POINT ! !

[Kimberly]

Estimated units of blood donated to the New York Blood Center: 36,000

Total units of donated blood actually used: 258

I find this to be untrue.

More than 36,000 Canadians donated blood. Where did it go?

Someone want to help with this research?

[Kimberly]

Most blood donations are processed and available for use within 48 hours. Whole blood is separated into three different components: red cells, platelets and plasma. After collection, red cells can be stored for 35 days, plasma can be frozen and stored for up to 12 months and platelets are usable for only five days. Also, blood given to babies cannot be more than five days old. The short life span of platelets and the "five-day fresh" standard for blood used in babies creates a continual, ongoing need for fresh blood.

[Malice]

I have always tried to give blood, but you can't give for a year after you get a tattoo. And, well.....that kills a 3 year period for me. I can't give until August of next year.

But you did make a good point. If there was a national crisis here, I am sure that Canadians would stick up for their own. However, I doubt that the U.S. would help us how we helped them. We should have kept some of that for our stocks, instead of transferring it all down to the U.S., as I am sure that they knew not all of it was required (and if they didn't they should have).

However, the feeling ashamed is something I don't agree with. It was a good deed to a visable cause, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just because the people don't donate all the time, doesn't make the jesture any less significant.

But, I also know that if a Canadian ever needed some of my blood I am here for them. I am an organ donor if I ever bite the big one, and once I am able to give blood again I will.

[Kimberly]

OK, I removed the ashamed remark.

But I think it should be a regular thing. As the paragraph above states that we need fresh blood on a continuing basis.

Maybe you could become a marrow donor if you can't donate blood?

[Malice]

Kimberly Kimberly:

Maybe you could become a marrow donor if you can't donate blood?

I don't think I could for the same reason why I can' donate blood. They want to be sure the inks and needles and tainted, and a year about the right amount of time to let things happen.

Also, you have any idea how painful bone marrow donation is The test alone is incredibily painful, the removal of it is excrutiating. My nephew needed a transplant, but we were dismissed as matches due to blood types.

Bone marrow I also doubt keeps very well, but I may be wrong.

I may think about become a sperm donor though

[Kimberly]

Sperm donator eh?

Do they have a machine for that?

[Malice]

Yup there is a machine for that, its called the autopalmejaculator.

Now if it wasn't so calussed....umm ....I mean....ah, forget it.