anyone donating frequently drains their Iron levels. Sure hope you frequent blood donors are eating well and supplementing with additional Iron.
If you have "optimal" Iron - your thyroid functions that much better as well as your immune system.

I must be okay. They test for iron with a finger stick prior to your donation and mine's always fine. My wife has iron pills on the counter and takes blackstrap molasses for a few days before her donation. She's only had low iron a couple times and none since doing that.

As far as us being sick that's extremely rare. I started donating blood because you never know who's going to need it. It could be a spouse, family member, friend or even back to the donor if something came up right after the donation. More people should donate if they're eligible as there's always a need and it doesn't take long to do. I don't understand why some, not just here or the above comment try to discourage blood donors by talking doom and gloom. One would think they'd be smart enough to realize the donation may be used to save them or someone they know. I guarantee they'd be hollering the loudest if someone they know needed a transfusion and it wasn't available.

Hmmm, I've given 15 gallons total. Most the last half has been double red cells.

In order to make a DRC donation, your hemoglobin must be higher than 13.3 g/dl, and I blow that out of the water every time. Even when I can't get a DRC appointment, and sign up for a single blood donation, they always try to get me on the DRC table.

Interesting that they do test for COVID antibodies for convalescent plasma usage. Not sure how the experimental concoction affects patients downstream, but my blood is still clean. Maybe I should get a premium for it?

I just read that the Red Cross will not take plasma, from people who have had the Rona jab.

A lot of addicts sell their blood and plasma you just need to hope you get a gambling addict blood and not some junkie blood. Was a time a guy could bank blood for quality control reasons can a person still do that?

I used to donate a lot of blood. Then after one of my all expense paid over seas tours, the Red Cross said they would not take it for three years. After three years of not giving I was out of the habit and only gave a few times after that. I have no idea if you can bank blood or not. My fist trip to Saudi I sold blood for $80 a pint.

I quit donating years ago when I'd have an appointment and they'd let me sit and take walk-ins in front of me. I've started donating again lately...they now give free tee shirts and coupons to restaurants, Amazon, Walmart
.....you name it.

my wife donates plasma....2 times per week =$120

I used to give plasma for free. No wonder they treated me so good, lol. Never knew you could get paid for it!!

That's good to hear.

Yup.

Hahaha!

Good point.

Just got back from a local plasma center.
left home at 7:15
8:10 appt
outta there at 10:15
home at 11:10
they put $190 on my prepaid debit card.
will get a grand for 8 donations in one one month.
If you look into this, have one person become a donor first, then start racking up "referral" cash. They may give up to $200 for reffering new donors.

Found my “retirement” job, lol. Can donate after running traps.

I have been giving platelets for about 15 years. I had both my COVID shots in between my donations. For platelets it was only 48 hours.

Bryce