Tar Valon 2016 Blood Drive!

[Aryawnah Federov]

For many years now this community has watched with a compassionate eye as tragedies of all sorts have struck- Super Storms, Earthquakes, Bombings, School Shootings- each matched with a horrific loss of life and each a true emergency. We've sometimes been able to aid those in need in the aftermath of these emergencies, as was the case with the Boston Bombing- but at other times we've been unable to respond in a meaningful way.

For many years now, TarValon.Net, Inc has also sought a way to respond. As a community we have asked the administration what we can do, and as an administration we've struggled with the best ways to respond. In 2013 in the aftermath of the Boston Bombing, we ran the previous no-host Blood Drive, there were a lot of participants but not all could during the time that it was running because they donated at a different time of the year. Nevertheless this was- at last- the appropriate response and serves to inspire future responses. Donating blood saves lives, and in the aftermath of tragedies having well stocked blood banks can make all the difference. In 2014, we held a year long Blood Drive that was a huge successes, resulting in the donation of 41 pints of blood, and in 2015 we donated 32 pints of blood!

For 2016 we are hosting another year-long Blood Drive, to both support those that give blood regularly and to encourage others to give blood. We recognize that this isn’t for everyone, and not everyone can give blood. Yet there are those that can and one of the problems that most Blood Banks run into is that people only give blood after disasters, and usually just the once. Blood is often needed weeks before hand and even after, it has a short shelf life and they need every drop year round. This year-long event is designed to address these needs year-round so that instead of reacting, as a community, we are preparing. Our goal for 2016, is to beat the 32 pints of blood donated in 2015.

All donations beginning January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 can be reported using the following form:

>>FORM<< ​

Data collected with this form is intended to get an accurate count of donated pints throughout 2015, you will notice only four required questions. Also, we've included a section where you can share what blood bank you donated to! This information will be used to help other members locate a local blood bank they can donate to.

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Here is a collection of Signatures, Badges and even an Icon or two that we encourage you to wear through the year- whether you can or will donate yourself- spreading the word is key.

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/arycollection/Outreach/Blood Drive/sig1v2_zps0f3947e0.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/arycollection/Outreach/Blood Drive/sig1_zpsf5a3ad0d.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/arycollection/Outreach/Blood Drive/sig2_zps9bdfca36.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/arycollection/Outreach/Blood Drive/sig2v2_zpsd1511fb8.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/arycollection/Outreach/Blood Drive/sig3_zps811244b2.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/arycollection/Outreach/Blood Drive/sigbadge2_zps119f3ac3.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/arycollection/Outreach/Blood Drive/sigbadge1_zps15552b85.png


And Icons!
:blood1
:blood2

 :blood1 :blood2

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Also, please check out our little section in the Tower Store.
All funds raised through these purchases will be donated at the end of the year towards our Feast of Lights Fundraiser- so its double awesome!

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Blood Drive Basics:

• For members based in the US you can find your local donations centers through the Red-Cross Blood Bank.
• Canadian members, you can find your local blood donations centers through Canadian Blood Services.
• UK members can find local locations for blood donation through the National Blood Service.
• TarValon.Net members in South Africa can also find information on blood donations through the South Africa National Blood Service.
• Australian members can check out the Australian Red Cross Blood Service for donation information.
• Members in New Zealand can also check out donation resources through the New Zealand Blood Service.
• Members in the Netherlands can take part in registering or donating blood through the Sanquin Blood Supply.
• My German isn’t good, but if you’re in Germany and looking to donate a pint, the German Red Cross should be able to point you in the right direction.
• Members in Norway wanting to give, remember to thank Ilissa for this tip, and check out this link to register and donate!

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[Dnae Ila]

I'm going to bump this. We're halfway through the year, people, and no one has posted in here yet??
I can't give blood this year, so I guess I'm going to have to campaign to get other people to do it.

 

[Mazarin Ashinar]

Very cool idea, I didn't realize we did this! Are there any rules or restrictions? Can I follow my normal donation schedule and then just record it here?

 

[Kerna Shedrian]

Oh I gave blood mid May and went to post, couldn't find the thread at a glance and then forgot :P thanks for the bump Dnae I should be able to find it easily now when I go again next month

 

[Dnae Ila]

Very cool idea, I didn't realize we did this! Are there any rules or restrictions? Can I follow my normal donation schedule and then just record it here?

Sounds like it would work to me! Just be sure to fill out the form for each time you give.

 

[Mazarin Ashinar]

Great! What should I do if I put the wrong city in the first one...? I put where I live, not where I donated.

 

[Dnae Ila]

I would just note it here, or if you want to keep it private, drop Aryawnah a pm.

 

[Mazarin Ashinar]

Here is fine. They should both be Laurel, MD.

 

[Tallan Daar]

To register as a blood donor in Sweden, you go to geblod.nu.

 

[Niere al'Aman]

I have donated 3 times this year ...... Just don't post . >_>

 

[Dnae Ila]

So long as you fill out the form, I'm fine with that! I'm just used to people announcing when they gave.

 

[Tallan Daar]

Announcing, then! (and bumping the thread for more visibility, yes?)
Today I donated for the second time this year. Sweden restricts blood donations to every four months or three times a year for women, and every three months or four times a year for men, so I'll only get to do it once more in late Nov/Dec.

 

[Dnae Ila]

That's interesting. In the States, it's 2 months regardless of gender. How much do you give at a time in Sweden? Over here, it's a pint, I think. If you give more at once, that would explain the longer wait time.

 

[Tallan Daar]

4.5 deciliters, so a little less than a pint. I can't find a reason for the length of the waiting period online (except for the difference between genders); I'll have to ask about it the next time I go.

 

[Ilyana Mandorallen]

I would imagine it would be because of periods and iron levels:

Time interval until next donation — Donors are eligible to donate no sooner than 56 days (eight weeks) after their previous donation. However, this minimum interval can vary, depending upon how rapidly the person's body is able to replenish its red blood cells. Some donors, especially women who have heavy menstrual periods, will not be able to donate every 56 days because their iron stores are not sufficient to replenish the lost red blood cells.

Donating blood removes iron from the body and this can result in iron deficiency in individuals who donate frequently, such as men of any age and women over 50 who donate three or more times per year, or women under age 50 who donate two or more times per year. Many blood organizations recommend that, in addition to eating foods rich in iron, people who donate this frequently take a multivitamin with iron or an iron-only supplement to replace the iron lost through each blood donation.
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/blood-donation-and-transfusion-beyond-the-basics

 

[Tallan Daar]

Yup, that's why there's a difference between the waiting times between men and women here. The actual times are more of a recommendation than an absolute limit, in a way: I think I can go donate again after three months instead of four (some flexibility is good if there are sudden shortages), but I still won't get to do it more than three times a year.

We're also provided with iron supplements for 20 days. Is that the case elsewhere as well?

 

[Dnae Ila]

Not here. You just get cookies and juice after donating. If you want iron supplements, you have to buy them yourself.

 

[Karassa Souladrin]

I've donated twice this year!

 

[Dnae Ila]

:joy
I keep getting automated calls from my blood bank asking for donations because the need is "dire." Not even critical, it's dire ! I'm sorry! I want to give, but you won't take my blood! Also, probably bad for the baby.

 

[Falone Charpontier]

So here is something very strange.. my husband (I imported him from the UK) went to donate to the Red Cross. They told him that because he lived there during certain years, he can't donate in the US as there is some sort of ban because of Mad Cow Disease?? Has anyone else heard of this? They gave him a T-Shirt, but wouldn't take his blood. :/