UltragigagiganticWgen you donate, do you ever think of the person that gets your blood and how high their hospital bill will be?
Toes♀Na, the sign says this is Canada
psvrhI was going to say.
I mean, there’s a good chance they might wait a while in triage and parking can be expensive, but that’s really about it.
SquibblesDamn draculas
undergroundovergroundLordy with ma hand upon the bible swear I shot the damn devil not a bitch but the popo don’t give a shit.
Where I live they ask for donations then charge for the blood to the patient. This is why I don’t donate blood.
bhmnscmmThat’s a terrible reason. You would rather a patient in need not have blood available than be charged for it?
There is definitely price gouging in blood. But it also requires testing, transportation, and storage before it can be used. The money for all that has to come from somewhere (unfortunately in the US it’s usually the patient).
I’m aware. But making the blood also costs calories food, time of donation exct. I get it’s not free on their end, but they are not paying me either. I’m asking for them to return the exact same favor and do it for free for the person who needs it.
PromethielRight. You are righteously protesting. Right on. No joke or bullshit, I applaud conviction.
Of course, the bastards have made it so that the price of mass protest of this kind is the same folks protesting dying more often.
That’s also no joke, or bullshit.
For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction, and if you stare at the abyss too long it stares back at you; same sentiment.
Same way you don’t kid yourself about the goal, never kid yourself about the price and who pays it or you’re no better than who you protest.
I’m sorry if this is news, and it is not your fault; let’s head off that trite response.
But conviction often quantifiably costs blood, and it’s poignant the theme is literal this time which is why I’m taking the chance to blab this much.
A warrior should know the weight of the sword they heft.
But where does the money come from? It sucks that in the US it has to come from the patient, but that’s the world we live in right now. I think it’s worth doing all the good you can with the tools available at the moment. Even if it’s not perfect.
I’m just assuming you’re in the US. Sorry if that’s not the case and your country has a different situation.
The hospitals do make a profit elsewhere. The whole medical industry sucks. Giving a gift then charging the recipient does not sit well for me. I’m not saying don’t donate blood.
Again it costs calories to make the blood, time, recovery, getting there. That’s coming completely from me. I am just asking the same from them.
Fair enough. If that’s the philosophy you want to live by, then who am I to say otherwise.
Personally, I’d rather help people the best I can in the world I live in.
You can’t pay for donations as that encourages risky behavior. People who shouldn’t donate will if they can make money.
I understand that.
But where does the money come from?
Taxes?
Don’t get me wrong, I think that’s where the money should come from too. I just meant where else is the money going to come from in the current US healthcare system.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a country where that’s the case right now. I think it is still a very good thing to donate blood, despite having for-profit/privatized healthcare.
Cracking down on for-profit organizations within the healthcare system would probably save an incredible amount of money.
Pikafully agree, but honestly I think it would be easier to just leave the country then ever actually having that happen, it’s too far against those in power’s ideology, which is land of the free but not for thee/only for me
Yeah, maybe. Luckily I don’t live there though.
Aviandelight Do you get lab tests done or annual vaccinations? Because many components used in these products are also provided from processing blood donations. Blood donations are never wasted as everything gets used for something in healthcare. Check out the AABB site for more information. Blood donations are a true gift.
I didn’t know that. Can you designate your blood for a given use?
I believe the only time it is designed like that is for autologous donations. That is where you donate specifically for yourself ahead of time for a procedure. This is really helpful for people with special blood needs or religious exemptions but it’s not really done too often. The only other case I can think of off the top of my head is that new moms can have cord blood banked for personal future use or donate it to stem cell research.
That would probably depend on the country you’re in.
They are not paying you? Even in Germany, where the patient doesn’t pay, I get money. Granted it’s “only” 20 Euros, regardless whether it’s blood or plasma, but it’s something. Plus I get to eat breakfast there for free.
That’s awesome. Around here they just do a news campaign asking for blood. To my knowledge they don’t offer any benefits compensation exct. They also sometimes go to corporate centers and ask for people to skip their lunch breaks to donate. It’s really odd to me.
Your point is valid. As a counterpoint, when I donate (6-7 times a year) I get snacks and drinks during the donation, and a $5-10 gift card for a local fast food spot to fuel up later. I’m also very lucky that I can take most of my meetings using a headset, so I don’t have to miss work, and the donation truck is at my office, so there’s no travel time to or from my appointment.
I love when CHLA emails me to say they’ll be downstairs in the coming week. I feel good about donating, and get free In-N-Out 😀
To my knowledge there is no offering here.
I guess I was trying to address the parts of your comment where donations cost calories and time. They certainly aren’t paying me for my blood, but personally I feel like it’s a fair exchange, and I get to feel good about doing someone I’ll probably never meet a potentially life saving favor.
I don’t know which country you’re from, but in the US, there is a very good reason they no longer pay people for blood donations. They used to. But, they found that having it be donation based plays on people’s guilt, and they are far more likely to donate when they feel guilty or empathetic or like a hero or whatever emotion gets you up and out to the donation center.
On the other hand, when they pay you for it, people tend to ignore it, because the average person doesn’t really need the money, and since it has become a business transaction, they don’t have to feel guilty about not participating. Donation rates are much higher when the donors aren’t paid. They don’t lack funds; they lack donors, and this was a quick, easy solution to the problem.
No because I live in a sane country (well, kinda... but the NHS is still free, and will remain so assuming the tories don't get back in next election)
If it makes you feel better they’re trying to privatise healthcare here in Canada too.
It does not (without great cost)
THCDenton
x4740NNo because I don’t live in america
uisIt does narrow out America, at least.
Barely half. Even less then half of America.
EDIT: nope, entire america as original comment says
No, because I don’t live in america
Oh, right. Crossing out two continents. Well, that leaves with 4 continents, but one has no countries, so 3 continetns. Eurasia, Africa and Australia. Still almost entire world.
DasTechnikerI didn’t think of their hospital bill, but last time I donated, the blood was used in Alabama, several states away. I hope the person getting my blood either got injured doing something very heroic or very funny.
You get notified of that?
That sounds really cool, and a total privacy nightmare
I got notified in which state, and that’s all. No personal identifiers, no reason why, not even the city. Just Alabama.
Nope never have. There are simply too many possible outcomes to contemplate
Try having O Negative. I mean, I get it. My blood can be given to anyone regardless of their blood type. But the people who do the followup calls need to chill a little bit. Don’t worry, I’m going to donate again.you don’t have to call me every other day to remind me.
I’ve lived around and have donated to blood banks in every city I’ve lived in pretty much. The amount of calls I get asking for me to donate is absolutely insane. They don’t stop no matter what I do. I’m getting calls from places in states I haven’t lived in for like a decade.
I’m pretty sure if I ever went missing or got kidnapped at this point, the blood banks would track me down and beg me to donate way before my family or the police.
Maybe don’t give them your phone number?
This is what I’ve done since but I was inexperienced and naive the first couple states I lived lol. But they are relentless! Every single time I go they typically ask for email or phone so it’s happened where I’ll remember not to give it for most of the time but will randomly slip one day after donating cause I’m a moron. I’ve also had several places that somehow got my number and I swear I’ve never given it to them. I have no clue how they obtained it. Probably from my email or something. The place I’m currently at I have given a fake number and email so far and it seems to be working but they do ask to send confirmation emails for appointments which causes some issues so I’ve just been going when my wife goes and seeing if I can get in then or just make an appointment in person. I’m sure they’ll pry it out of me at some point 😄
I’ve been offered a points card where I can redeem mugs and T-Shirts and I was like “nah I’m good I’m not here for mugs.”
O− here too. I’d he super stoked to get those kinds of calls and I’d feel like a hero. I even signed up for the bone marrow registry who I was told reach out to you if you’re a match they need. Crickets. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
They just do that. I’m A+ and donate platelets every two weeks, but technically you’re eligible again after seven days. The calls, emails and texts start on day seven. I would tell them that I’m not donating again if they don’t knock it off, but I don’t think it would work.
AutistoMephistoKhorne cares not from whence the Blood flows, only that it flows forever and without cease!
No, because I’m Canadian and our healthcare system actually cares about us. When I donate blood I know that it’s going to a person that needs it and they they won’t be saddled with debt for the rest of their life.
Our healthcare system cares about us, but (depending on province) our politicians don’t care about funding it properly.
PolarisFxWhich province currently cares because I can’t think of any in Eastern Canada
I’ve been hearing nothing but good news out of Wab Kinew in Manitoba
nullCanadian blood services
So, little to no cost
American blood services
Will suck the blood out of the patient and leave you bankrupt.
Are we certain that the people running healthcare institutions in the US aren’t vampires?
Definitely blood suckers.
Lol no, I live in a civilised country that doesn’t do that kind of barbaric shit to people.
I don’t mean to be horrible but you should be mad. Just, not at me because i didn’t do this to you and, if i could, I’d change it in a heartbeat.
You deserve better.
All of you.
What’s a hospital bill?