Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

LookingAhead

I get a bit squeamish too about giving blood however I would still do it regularly - if I could. I suffer on and off with aneamia.

Last time I went they said I had the worst count they'd seen in a long time and I had to just get up & leave - I was gutted & in tears, I felt like I'd let people down.

They said I couldn't start again till Feb 2006....just in time for me to suffer with the next bout :rolleyes:

I watch my OH go off and donate with envious eyes...

O rh -

Prudent

I would very much like to give blood. I tried a few years ago, but hit the same problem of times clashing with work. Thank you though for the post, it has encouraged me to look into it again.

frizz_head

Brilliant thread! :T :T :T

I have been donating on and off ever since I was 19, due to pregnancies and illness and sadly, my signature is true, only 6% of the eligible population gives blood.

A+

uberzoldat

I gave my first pint of blood in March this year, and it was great I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it. It's minimal discomfort for a few seconds and the elation afterwards about doing something good for other people is brilliant. (Not to mention the free tea and biscuits/crisps )

skint-78

jackieb wrote:

I used to donate but then they changed the rules and because i've had 2 transfusions in the past (1987 and 1995) they won't take it anymore. I'd be more than happy to donate. It's not as if i'm in a high risk group (both were due to pregnancy complications). It doesn't make me feel great thinking that they think i'm likely to pass something on!

I gave for ages after having the transfusions until they brought in these new rules.

I also gave blood until I became too unwell to. I think it feels good to give. Its a shame that people who want to give are not necessarily allowed to, and then lots of people who could give don't.

I think that the reasoning for not being able to donate after having received a transfusion is also because, once you have received a transfusion, there is a possibility that you have got new antibodies. These alter your compatibility with others.
When I had a blood transfusion (whilst waiting for a transplant) I was warned that it may ruin my chances of receiving a transplant, because getting a match could be more complicated, or even impossible, if there were antibodies in the blood which I didn't originally have.
It made me wonder if perhaps they don't take blood from a recipient of a transfusion, incase it complicates things even further for the person it may be given to?????
Maybe I'm talking rubbish, but that was how I figured it out.

roversbabe

I've stopped giving blood temporarily as I'm pregnant but will be back donating again as soon as I can.

I managed to talk roversbloke into donating a few years ago too (it was either that or hang around waiting for me!).

A+ (both of us)

lavandergirl_2

Dibz wrote:

Anyone got any brave blood giving advice for a few months time? (gulp!)

Hmmm.. I close my eyes and think about the free cups of tea :coffee: and cakes :bdaycake: that I will get afterwards. Tee hee

Seriously, the trick I do is to look the the procedure directly to confront the anxiety. Another advice is just to look away. The people there are so good as they try to make everything as comfortable as possible.

lavandergirl_2

A big salute to all who had donated, will donate, and thinking of donating blood. :T :T :beer: :T :T





:EasterBun

quietheart

Just has to be done. They can never find my veins and I'm always heavily bruised afterwards but it's great for achieving that ready-brek glow!
A-

Merlin139

In our family we call the National Blood Service the Vampires and when we go to give blood we say we are going for an Interview with a Vampire!

I give blood every 12 to 16 weeks. They do say 16 weeks is the minimum but I have never had a problem giving before the 16 weeks is up. If you are fit and healthy its no problem. Have now given 47 pints in the last 23 years. I find it easier to check www.Blood.co.uk to find out when they are next in my area and pick a date that suits me. If I wait for Vampires to contact me I find that its not suitable. I always book an appointment, rather than turning up on the day.

The wife also gives, she on 12 pints and daughter is on 13 pints. Son who is now 18 will not do it, have been trying to get him for nearly 18 months but he will not budge.

We are all O+

My only quibble with the Vampires is that they never have enough Bourbon biscuits!!!!!!

And for all the people that have never done it before it does not hurt. I actually think the pin !!!!!! on the end of the finger hurts more. Remember you might need blood from the Vampire one day!