Looking for people with Rh- blood Options

[Taehyun's omma]

Hello!

I'm a foreigner living in Busan, and I'm scheduled for a c-section in less than 2 weeks. I have B- blood. I was told that if there are complications and I lose a lot of blood that it will be hard for the clinic to locate blood for me as most (98%) Koreans have Rh+ blood. I'm looking for others who live in Busan with Rh- blood, specifically B- or O-. It would be nice to have a contact list in case of emergencies. I'd be more than happy to donate my blood in the future to help someone out. Please contact me if you don't mind being part of a list of possible donors. I could put a list together for everyone.

Thanks.

[Sadie]

Hi Taehyun,

This topic has come up a couple of times before and the problem is that before you donate blood in Korea you have to prove that you have been in the country for 365 consecutive days, which I'd say excludes most teachers here.

This is a thread about people who tried to give blood

It's a pretty messed up system with lots of misinformation out there. Read these threads to get an idea of things. There are A LOT of Rh Neg. people out there who WANT to give blood but have been denied.

In April, my best buddy had a brain aneurysm rupture. He was O neg. There wasn't a DROP of O neg. in southern Korea. We put out the S.O.S. to the city for donors, and about 20 people came to the hospital or said they were 'standing by'. They were willing and ready to donate right there, but the hospital would not take their blood, because a) it was Friday night and the blood donation clinic was closed and all blood needs screening by the Korea Red Cross, and 'foreigner blood' needs more testing. Fortunately, there was an alternative operation option available for my friend and everything worked out OK, despite the fact that he could have bled to death because of policy.

If you talk to your doctor and find out if and who and where and when foreigners can donate blood, then I can put together a list of willing donors.

[pusanvirgin]

Sorry I'm positive. Since you have two weeks try to get some donors as soon as posible so they can be tested.

[bornwinner]

I can't remember my blood type, would it be on my work applications here that i filled out years ago at my school?

[jkrabbit]

When I first began giving blood, I remember the nurse called me a 'universal donor' which would mean that I'm O-. I know that I'm O for sure but don't think that I'm a - as it's so rare and the nurses never get excited when they see me at the donation clinics. I would like to help if I can. Let me know.

[Taehyun's omma]

Thanks for the useful info. I had no idea it is so hard for foreigners to donate blood. I wouldn't want to ask people to go get their blood tested or anything just for me as requiring a blood transfusion during a c-section is rare. I just think it'd be nice to have a list of people in the area who do have negative blood in case of emergencies. However, as you pointed out in your friend's case, if the emergency happens at night there would be a problem, speaking of which, I'm really glad your friend is OK.

Thanks for offering to put together a list of willing donors. I will talk to my doctor about this when I see him next Thursday.

Hi Taehyun,

This topic has come up a couple of times before and the problem is that before you donate blood in Korea you have to prove that you have been in the country for 365 consecutive days, which I'd say excludes most teachers here.

This is a thread about people who tried to give blood

It's a pretty messed up system with lots of misinformation out there. Read these threads to get an idea of things. There are A LOT of Rh Neg. people out there who WANT to give blood but have been denied.

In April, my best buddy had a brain aneurysm rupture. He was O neg. There wasn't a DROP of O neg. in southern Korea. We put out the S.O.S. to the city for donors, and about 20 people came to the hospital or said they were 'standing by'. They were willing and ready to donate right there, but the hospital would not take their blood, because a) it was Friday night and the blood donation clinic was closed and all blood needs screening by the Korea Red Cross, and 'foreigner blood' needs more testing. Fortunately, there was an alternative operation option available for my friend and everything worked out OK, despite the fact that he could have bled to death because of policy.

If you talk to your doctor and find out if and who and where and when foreigners can donate blood, then I can put together a list of willing donors.

[Taehyun's omma]

I talked to my doctor today. He said that if I wanted I could get some phone numbers of willing donors, then the donors could come to the clinic on the day of my c-section if I happen to need blood. He said the donors' blood would be tested on the spot and then it could be used. The clinic is located in Gaegeum. If anyone with Rh neg. blood (B or O) lives close to the area and would be willing to donate their blood, please pm me. My c-section is scheduled for Oct. 27 in the am.

Thanks.

[Terra]

As far as the blood goes, I'm O negative. I don't know if I can give to B negative or not but I'll PM you my number since I work in Kaya next to Gaegeum. Not sure if I'll be available at that time since I teach an early morning class then go back home to take my daughter to ballet on Fridays and then return to teach afternoon classes but if need be I can skip the ballet class or send her with her Dad.

My husband told me a long time ago that his high school's friend sister was B negative and it was really rare among people in Pusan. The girl used to store her own blood regularly...so good move to try to find some people early. Unfortunately, most foreigners don't know their blood type.

Second, I'm out of town right now but will be back in Pusan Saturday evening. If you want to talk you can call me as I've had a C-section in Korea. When I had mine it was an emergency and they secured some blood at the US Army base. Guess since the base is closed that's no longer an option. They didn't need it anyway. I wouldn't worry too much about it (I know, easier said than done at this stage in your pregnancy.). If there is one thing they know how to do in this country, it's delivering babies.

Like I said, any questions about what to expect with the surgery and recovery, feel free to give me a ring.

Oh yeah, unless you want mi-yak-guk (seaweed soup) and rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire time you are in the hospital, you should talk to the hospital. I had my husband and friends bring me my meals and I got a big discount....and before anyone jumps in, I like mi-yak-guk...just not every meal for a week.

Good luck!

[pusanvirgin]

Congratulations by the way. I hope your baby will be healthy. Boy or Girl?

[Taehyun's omma]

Thanks Terra! I can take O neg. blood. I'll call you when you return from your trip.

Thank you pusanvirgin. I will be having a boy. This is my second child and my first was also a boy. I've always wanted a daughter but one gladly takes what one is given, and I've come to realize how cute little boys can be too.

[pusanvirgin]

You can always try again for a girl.

[Cool Rich]

Mom,

I am A- and would contribute if it would help. I donated platetlets weekly in the US for years but have only been here 4 weeks.

You are in my prayers


Sadie,

I have A- blood and donated platelets weekly for years in the US and would like to donate here. If you faind an answer, PLEASE put me on your list.

CR

[Miss Kim]

Where can we go to have our blood tested for blood type?

I went to donate blood in Canada and was told I should come more often because my blood is a universal donor to all blood types.

I'm uncertain of my blood type, but I would like to help. I would definately be on call the day of your C-section . I just need to know where to have my blood tested.

Anyone?

[Sadie]

Miss Kim,

I've heard that even though the blood banks won't take our blood, they'll let us know our blood type. I think that most hospitals will do the test in a couple of seconds.

If you were told in Canada that you're a 'universal donor' it means that your blood type is O negative. That means that you can donate to anyone, but only other O negs. can donate to you.

[aetroop]

You can get your blood tested for type at any hospital here. I got my tested last year at Dongsan Hospital in Goejeong [which is a very small, local hospital]. It took 5 minutes at the most and cost around 5,000 won.
They even gave me a print out showing my blood type.

I am A+, by the way, so I can't help in this case. Sorry.

Good luck.

[pusanvirgin]

O pos is universal not neg...

[Sadie]

Nope...O negative.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=u...sal+blood+donor

And now they're saying that they really prefer to perfectly type, but O- will do in a pinch.

[Moskito]

Importnat question: How are Mom & Baby doing?

Birthday was yesterday...I hope that everything is OK.

[Sadie]

All went well. Both mama and babe are doing fine. No extra blood needed!

[Taehyun's omma]

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who showed concern and responded to my request for blood donors!!! Since I knew there was blood available, should I need it, I was not so nervous about the c-section. The surgery was not bad at all, although the same cannot be said for the recovery. :-)

I returned home today. I wasn't able to bring my son with me as he has some liquid in his lungs and will be kept in the hospital until his lungs are clear. I'm hoping I can bring him home early next week.