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I Can't Donate Blood

Tiny Veins!

By: DancingFox
Written on November 22nd, 2009

The reason I can't donate blood is the silliest ever. I wanted to give blood so I went to a blood collection place. They tried to take my blood for 15 minutes but couldn't because... my veins are too small for their needles! Apparently, in order to draw a worthwhile quantity of blood from you, they use bigger needles than what they would use for say, a blood test. And my veins are really tiny. So they can't take my blood. I am gutted because I really want to!

By: DancingFox
Age: 31-35 , Female
2,812 people have read this story

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7 responses
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    redcross18
    redcross18

    that really sucks!!! :( At school we had a blood drive and the same thing happened to me!! :((( sad thing is i am type O and in red cross 3

    Sep 18, 2012
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      DancingFox
      DancingFox

      Wow, and you're a rare type... it sucks.

      Sep 18, 2012
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    Firegod74
    Firegod74

    Couldn't they take it from a major one like your femoral artery?

    Aug 9, 2012
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      DancingFox
      DancingFox

      I should have suggested it...

      Aug 9, 2012
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    DancingFox
    DancingFox

    It's a shame because I am A-, so a good group to give really. I have asked if they could try using smaller needles, but they say it would take so long that the blood would clot in the needle - thus, useless.

    Aug 9, 2012
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    mimi28
    mimi28

    I recently gave blood and the phlebotomist stuck the need right through my vein, so she had to use the other arm.

    When I have blood drawn for tests, they use a "butterfly". Apparently, it's used for people with smaller veins. I hardly felt it.

    I was told to drink lots of water before donating to plump up my veins. Not sure if that actually works.

    We need the Med Techs and Phlebotomists to weigh in on this one.

    Nov 22, 2009
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      pipermac
      pipermac

      Actually it does help for a person to be well-hydrated when they get stuck. A year or so ago, my elderly mom had pneumonia, and i had to take her to an ER. When they tried to draw blood for lab-work, they have a dickens of a time getting blood out of her, because she was SO dehydrated. All they were getting was sludge. I HAVE to give a unit of blood every two weeks, due to having hemochromatosis, and they have never had any problem getting blood out of me. I also drink over a gallon of liquids every day to stay hydrated.

      Jun 7
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