I'm trying to be a donor (non designated recipient) and they keep asking for more.  I am going from a grape to a raisin!  Do they have to get more every time they try to match me with someone?

Yes.  The cross matching process is a destructive process.  They mix your blood with the potential recipient's blood and wait around 3 days to see if they react.  No reaction is good.  I believe the antibodies in the blood will only live for a week at most after being drawn so they can't really stock pile your blood for future tests by taking extra blood in one session.

They must be matching you with a lot of different potential candidates.  Are you an O blood type?

Sorry they are poking you so much. 

Good luck to you!
Roger

Thanks for the reply.  They clarified today that this is the final flow and auto X-match for the same recipient.  I am scheduled now for the 5th of December, if everything continues on track.  Please say prayers!

What does 21 tubes mean? And they call more of what?

I have given 21 tubes of blood so far.  I have 3 more to give this coming Tuesday.

Dear pkoke,

I hope all goes well from here forward.  You may be giving up more than blood soon!

Lord Have Mercy.  Lord Have Mercy.  Lord Have Mercy.

love, elephant

oic. Do you get frre food?