i gave blood for 15 years and then they wouldn't let me because i was anemic.
no one is implying that anyone should avoid giving blood or getting stuck for other things. at least i don't think so. anyway, i'm not.
i've had plenty of bad needle sticks - it happens. doesn't mean it doesn't suck. it takes a long time for a blown vein to heal. i've got one that's taken about two months so far.
i'd still be giving blood if i could since my type is in high demand.
It wasn't meant as criticism of people who don't donate. I actually go there for the pineapple juice. It's the only time I let myself have it, and it's my favorite juice.
besides being a universal donor, i went for the cookies and orange juice (and the gallon donor pins). i went every two months like clockwork.
Dad was a universal donor. I'm O+ though.
Had to look up "universal donor". I am O-, but I have made antibodies against blood type A. So, probably not that universal.
I don't donate. It's not the fear of the needles. I can watch if they draw blood from me. But after more than four vials of blood I am about to faint. The more they get, the worse the effect.
Friend of mine does react similar. He has been a donor, till they did not want him anymore. He took too much time to recover in the seat used for drawing blood to make his donation worth while.
I did feel somewhat guilty, for not donating blood. But since he told me his story, that sense of guilt is over.
After my death, they can have my organs. That I will donate.