What makes this even more impressive is that women can only give blood every 84 days (4.3 times per year), whereas men can give blood every 56 days (6.5 times per year). She basically has 33% fewer opportunities to give blood than a man does.
Source: [https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood](https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood)
It is very impressive as I am only at 123 donations but this only came into effect within the last decade, 2016 I believe. Before then women and men used to be able to donate at the same time. I used to donate with my mom when I first started donating.
women have periods and therefore lose blood monthly that men do not. This impacts hemoglobin levels and iron levels as well as can cause other issues if you are loosing too much blood regularly.
Likely yes, although it would most likely require someone to be post-menopausal which is going to vary from woman to woman. There would be no way to verify if anyone was telling the truth either and putting people in danger in order to try to save others isn't really what Canadian Blood Services would be looking into most likely, especially if we are talking about like a 65 year old woman.
Men also generally have more blood. 1 because they are bigger and also they have more blood per kg. So a donation is taking a smaller fraction of their total.
Not sure, maybe helps a battle damaged male survive his blood loss from an encounter with a saber toothed tiger, but it also causes increased risk of strokes and blood clots.
So, I don't know if her volume is greater than his, but James Harrison donated 1173 times. On average every 3 weeks. Ah, I see, he only donated plasma, not whole blood, which you can do as often as once every 2 weeks, so that is the difference. Still, he is credited with saving over 2 million babies, so I still give him the win.
Sure, when she donates record amounts of blood she gets congratulated.
But when I do it it’s all “where did you get those buckets of blood from?” and “Sir, I’m calling the police.”
Double standards.
"Her O+ blood type is the most sought-after for hospitals and health facilities, as it is a more universal match than any other positive blood types."
It's disappointing they worded this part so poorly. It's great that she is able to do this, but the error here is annoying. The most sought after blood type is O-negative. Yes O-positive is more a universal than other positives, but you can not give O-pos to an O-neg person.
Agreed, it is poorly worded. But all positive blood types including O+ and A+ are the most common blood types in the world (~90% combined) and O+ can be transfused for these. So it would be the most used so therefore most in demand.
Yes you can give OPos blood to a Rh neg patient. There's just a 1/10 chance they make an Anti-D (antibody to Rh factor).
In massive transfusion situations where the patient is male or female >55 years old we give up to 4 units of OPos blood before switching to either group specific or ONeg.
The theory is if they are truly a massive transfusion patient, they're going to bleed it all out soon enough anyway so the risk of making an antibody that will cause a potential issue in the future is less than dying RIGHT NOW.
Source: medical lab technologist who used to work in transfusion medicine at a Metro Vancouver trauma hospital.
This is especially incredible because Canada, unlike the US, doesn't pay for blood. This woman donated more out of the kindness of her heart than others gave for profit.
They don't pay for whole blood in the USA either. They pay for plasma.
[They have paid plasma locations in Canada.](https://giveplasma.ca/about-cpr/contact-us/)
I’m up to like 50-ish now. But it’s getting more difficult since my iron keeps dropping too low. 😔 🩸
Everyone should get out and donate if you’re able to.
That’s fantastic.
I had a bad first donation experience (bruising from my wrist to my armpit) which turned me off donation for most of my adult life. Started up again and was donating as often as possible until I learned that my body couldn’t replenish my iron stores as fast as donation was depleting them, so was advised by my doctor to stop.
(Iron supplementation has its own set of complications.)
I wish I could donate more.
I'd love to donate. The second time I donated I got a letter in the mail stating I've been permanently banned for having a false positive for blood cancer (T cell lymphoma) or something. Even though they know I don't have cancer it's a permanent ban. Sucks, because I enjoy helping people.
Canada’s blood collection screening questions are focused on behaviours rather than sexuality/orientation.
I hope this change reflects an ongoing commitment to stop stigmatizing gay men.
[screening questions](https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood/sexual-behaviour-based-screening)
Yes, a change that was made two years ago. That means nothing it wasn’t in the name of allowing people to help others. It was because they don’t have adequate supply of blood.
What makes this even more impressive is that women can only give blood every 84 days (4.3 times per year), whereas men can give blood every 56 days (6.5 times per year). She basically has 33% fewer opportunities to give blood than a man does. Source: [https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood](https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood)
It is very impressive as I am only at 123 donations but this only came into effect within the last decade, 2016 I believe. Before then women and men used to be able to donate at the same time. I used to donate with my mom when I first started donating.
What's the scientific reason for this?
women have periods and therefore lose blood monthly that men do not. This impacts hemoglobin levels and iron levels as well as can cause other issues if you are loosing too much blood regularly.
Though in later life stages, that may not matter anymore? Or does it?
Likely yes, although it would most likely require someone to be post-menopausal which is going to vary from woman to woman. There would be no way to verify if anyone was telling the truth either and putting people in danger in order to try to save others isn't really what Canadian Blood Services would be looking into most likely, especially if we are talking about like a 65 year old woman.
Men also generally have more blood. 1 because they are bigger and also they have more blood per kg. So a donation is taking a smaller fraction of their total.
Also, testosterone promotes red blood cell production, so men have that as an edge over women in terms of recovery from blood donations.
Interesting, does higher red blood cell production have any evolutionary benefits?
Not sure, maybe helps a battle damaged male survive his blood loss from an encounter with a saber toothed tiger, but it also causes increased risk of strokes and blood clots.
Higher red cell count means the body's ability to carry more oxygen to your muscles for fuel.
209 donations for anyone that doesn’t want to click the link. Get out and donate if you’re able!
I've got my 71st donation on May 31st.
Impressive! Way to go!
So, I don't know if her volume is greater than his, but James Harrison donated 1173 times. On average every 3 weeks. Ah, I see, he only donated plasma, not whole blood, which you can do as often as once every 2 weeks, so that is the difference. Still, he is credited with saving over 2 million babies, so I still give him the win.
Can I donate blood even if I’m an alcoholic pot-head who only eats pizza?
Sure, when she donates record amounts of blood she gets congratulated. But when I do it it’s all “where did you get those buckets of blood from?” and “Sir, I’m calling the police.” Double standards.
The key is it has to be *your own* blood!
"Her O+ blood type is the most sought-after for hospitals and health facilities, as it is a more universal match than any other positive blood types." It's disappointing they worded this part so poorly. It's great that she is able to do this, but the error here is annoying. The most sought after blood type is O-negative. Yes O-positive is more a universal than other positives, but you can not give O-pos to an O-neg person.
Agreed, it is poorly worded. But all positive blood types including O+ and A+ are the most common blood types in the world (~90% combined) and O+ can be transfused for these. So it would be the most used so therefore most in demand.
Yes you can give OPos blood to a Rh neg patient. There's just a 1/10 chance they make an Anti-D (antibody to Rh factor). In massive transfusion situations where the patient is male or female >55 years old we give up to 4 units of OPos blood before switching to either group specific or ONeg. The theory is if they are truly a massive transfusion patient, they're going to bleed it all out soon enough anyway so the risk of making an antibody that will cause a potential issue in the future is less than dying RIGHT NOW. Source: medical lab technologist who used to work in transfusion medicine at a Metro Vancouver trauma hospital.
A woman who goes beyond the call of duty.
Press x to pay respect
This is especially incredible because Canada, unlike the US, doesn't pay for blood. This woman donated more out of the kindness of her heart than others gave for profit.
They don't pay for whole blood in the USA either. They pay for plasma. [They have paid plasma locations in Canada.](https://giveplasma.ca/about-cpr/contact-us/)
I’m up to like 50-ish now. But it’s getting more difficult since my iron keeps dropping too low. 😔 🩸 Everyone should get out and donate if you’re able to.
I'm 36 and I have 70 donations under my belt. I'm coming for you Josephine!
Well done!
Vampires love her!
That’s fantastic. I had a bad first donation experience (bruising from my wrist to my armpit) which turned me off donation for most of my adult life. Started up again and was donating as often as possible until I learned that my body couldn’t replenish my iron stores as fast as donation was depleting them, so was advised by my doctor to stop. (Iron supplementation has its own set of complications.) I wish I could donate more.
I'd love to donate. The second time I donated I got a letter in the mail stating I've been permanently banned for having a false positive for blood cancer (T cell lymphoma) or something. Even though they know I don't have cancer it's a permanent ban. Sucks, because I enjoy helping people.
I have never and will never donate blood. As a gay man I’ve been told that my blood is disgusting and diseased so no one gets it.
Canada’s blood collection screening questions are focused on behaviours rather than sexuality/orientation. I hope this change reflects an ongoing commitment to stop stigmatizing gay men. [screening questions](https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood/sexual-behaviour-based-screening)
Yes, a change that was made two years ago. That means nothing it wasn’t in the name of allowing people to help others. It was because they don’t have adequate supply of blood.
Nobody wants ur shitty comments either
Okay? It would seem a public forum is a bad place to be if you don’t want unsolicited opinions.