Free Tea & Biscuits/Free Ben & Jerry's ice-cream,Lets give something back for freebie

bbruce

Kylie wrote:

In Australia they wouldn't accept my blood because my partner is South African... how embarrassing!! But it should be good now... that was many years ago.

I have marked my calendar to be donating blood at least once per month now. I have to donate for both my partner and myself as he is a scaredy-cat: his blood pressure goes through the roof when he sees anyone resembling a nurse or doctor... thank goodness I am brave...

They won't take it once a month!
Your iron and other essential levels won't have recovered.
Most mobiles come round every 6 months but fixed locations will take it every 4 months if your levels have recovered sufficiently.
The only exception is if they have an emergency and your blood group is rare. I met a chap who got a phone call the day after he had made a regular donation to come and donate again. He said he felt washed out for a week afterwards despite popping all the iron tablets they gave him.

Kylie

bbruce wrote:

They won't take it once a month!
Your iron and other essential levels won't have recovered.
Most mobiles come round every 6 months but fixed locations will take it every 4 months if your levels have recovered sufficiently.
The only exception is if they have an emergency and your blood group is rare. I met a chap who got a phone call the day after he had made a regular donation to come and donate again. He said he felt washed out for a week afterwards despite popping all the iron tablets they gave him.

really? that's a shame. Ah well - whatever frequency they will allow, I will be there.

bbruce

Kylie wrote:

really? that's a shame. Ah well - whatever frequency they will allow, I will be there.

If you really want to be a selfless donor, you could become a plasma donor which I think is monthly.
Nothing to do with flat TVs LOL! They connect you up for an hour or so and give you sandwiches while they recycle your blood back to you minus some plasma.
They do this at the Oxford Circus centre but quite likely your local hospital will also.
You can get a high number of donation records in a short time.

calleyw

I have never given blood. It is always on my todo list and then I forget. Also I am not keen on needles.

And after they took 3 vials of blood from me the other week. And the little scratch that felt like she was talking half my arm off. I am not in a hurry which I know is a very selfish thing to say and do.

But any one who gives blood deserves a medal it is a very unselfish thing to do. In this world when people only care about themselves and money.

I don't even know what blood group I am but know my mum has a rare group but can't give due to having scarlet/rhuematic fever when she was child. And I believe on my father side his mother my grandmother has a rare type too.

Think I need to find out my type is. And have check up with my Dr and then see if I can give as I have a feeling that I might be anaemic.

Thank you all those unselfish people.

Yours


Calley

Whalie

I've given blood over 40 times now hoping to get to at least 50 before I have to give up. I can give every 4 months and have only been ill once after any donation (own fault - rush to leave before time and nearly fainted).

Last time I donated I asked about the ice cream offer and told it was offered at universities to encourage students to join up. Do enjoy a coffee/tea and a biscuit afterwards though.

Very worth while to do. I'm the only member of my family that can so I understand many would like to but can't for medical reason.

Thanks for bringing this freebie we can give to everyone's attention.

freebie_junkie

bbruce wrote:

I do sympathise with people who want to give blood but genuinely can't. The fact that they are willing is credit enough. However, they are outnumbered more than a hundredfold by those who won't give without reason.
I've given over 30 units so have the gold badge. I've had to give up recently because of medication.
My dad tricked me and many friends into donating by saying "I'm just popping in here for a cuppa - fancy one?"
I read all the leaflets and decided it would be a good thing to do with minimal inconvenience. Of course, I'd rather be doing something other than having a needle stuck in my arm.
The permanent site near Oxford Circus used to have Guinness or lager on offer and at Christmas time had plates of turkey sandwiches.
I have managed to persuade a few people to join me by discussing it but it was hard work; my dad's system worked better, as once he'd got them inside they were embarrased to leave and most of them became regulars like me.

i have a coltting disorder called von williebrands (i probly spelt that worng) its pronounced 'von-wheel-ee-brands' and basically id be in more dnager than 'normal' people and the blood i gave wouldnt be of sufficient quality to use coz i dont have enuff of them platelet things wot make scabs, (my count is ridiculously low) or white blood cells teh ones wot fight infections.

bbruce

calleyw wrote:

I have never given blood. It is always on my todo list and then I forget. Also I am not keen on needles.

And after they took 3 vials of blood from me the other week. And the little scratch that felt like she was talking half my arm off. I am not in a hurry which I know is a very selfish thing to say and do.

But any one who gives blood deserves a medal it is a very unselfish thing to do. In this world when people only care about themselves and money.

I don't even know what blood group I am but know my mum has a rare group but can't give due to having scarlet/rhuematic fever when she was child. And I believe on my father side his mother my grandmother has a rare type too.

Think I need to find out my type is. And have check up with my Dr and then see if I can give as I have a feeling that I might be anaemic.

Thank you all those unselfish people.

Yours


Calley

It certainly is a good idea to know your blood group, particularly if its rare as stocks will be low if you ever need some and you can alert them immediately. The easiest way to find out is to go to a donor session. Mine is the second rarest (AB+) like my dad's. They test you for anemia first by pricking your finger and dropping a couple of drops of blood into a test tube containing a blue liquid. If it doesn't sink - you're anaemic - so simple. Then they will give you a letter to take to your GP. If not, you fill in a short questionnaire and let them empty your arm!

Strepsy

bbruce wrote:

It certainly is a good idea to know your blood group, particularly if its rare as stocks will be low if you ever need some and you can alert them immediately. The easiest way to find out is to go to a donor session. Mine is the second rarest (AB+) like my dad's. They test you for anemia first by pricking your finger and dropping a couple of drops of blood into a test tube containing a blue liquid. If it doesn't sink - you're anaemic - so simple. Then they will give you a letter to take to your GP. If not, you fill in a short questionnaire and let them empty your arm!

Where did you find out which blood group is rarest? I believe mine's fairly rare, B-, but can't seem to find any info.

whitty999

So glad that everyone is donating if they can.

bbruce

Strepsy wrote:

Where did you find out which blood group is rarest? I believe mine's fairly rare, B-, but can't seem to find any info.

I read it in a mag in a donor session but this shows it:
http://www.blood.co.uk/visually_impaired/vi_world_blood.html
If you click on current stocks, you'll see that the days stock bar charts are very different from the stock levels.
It depends a lot on ethnicity. I said mine was quite rare when I went to give in Japan, only to find its quite common there!