Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

La-Cara

marshall2k wrote: »

Had you made an appointment, La-Cara? I find that waiting is greatly reduced by booking online or by phone.

I hadn't made an appointment because it was a community session, rather than an actual blood donor centre, so you drop in whenever you like. I went just before the lunch break when it is usually quite quiet, but the staff said it had been busy all morning.

LouBlue

marshall2k wrote: »

Had you made an appointment, La-Cara? I find that waiting is greatly reduced by booking online or by phone.

Oh yes, meant to say, I always book a time slot, saves a lot of time just waiting around.

continualdiamond

I really wish i could do this, but just the thought of it is making me feel ill right now.

Im terrible if i have to have blood tests, i have to look away and i feel absoultely shocking, i have never fainted, but i go very weak and my hands starts to tingle and i sweat.

I totally admire everyone who does this.

tracy6697

I am O- and I would love to be able to give blood. However, because I have to take medication every day I am automatically unable to. I phoned up and they told me that unless it was the pill, HRT or insulin that they wouldn't take it. They weren't interested in what I was taking or how much. It's a shame that there isn't more lenience because I am on such a low amount of controlled release medication that when I was pregnant I was told there was such low amounts of medication in my blood that it would not affect my baby but the blood service have a blanket rule for all medication. I guess it must be to make the rules more fool-proof or because of costs.

Well done to all you regular donors though. You should all be very proud.

tealady

Hi LittleChoLo. I have been a donor for over 30 years and i still can't stand watch someone putting a needle in me. Simple solution,I shut my eyes.
To me its a way of giving to charity which is very MSE. Also what other way of giving could save a life. I was also on the bone marrow register till I fell off (became 50) but would encourage all donors to join especially who are not Caucasian as some ethnic groups find it very hard to get a match due to the small number of registered donors with their tissue type.

Nile

Apologies if this is old news, I haven't read all the posts in this thread.:o

I got a lovely surprise in the post today. I received a letter and card from the National Blood Service to thank me for giving blood three times in the last 12 months.:cool:

The letter tells me that when I next donate, I'll be presented with a special commemorative slate coaster as a small token of their appreciation.:cool:

The card is lovely. Inside it has three photographs of a man, a woman and a little girl...........with a message from each of them.

The man (Harry) writes:

Dear Donors, Although you are anonymous you are just as important as all the doctors and surgeons in saving peoples lives. I wouldn't be here without you. Thank you. Harry.

The woman (Nisa) writes:

I'd like to send a huge thank you to everyone who has selflessly donated blood to help people like me. Without the donations, me, and thousands of other people like me, wouldn't have the chance to lead normal, productive and happy lives. What you do makes an enormous difference to many people. Donors should always remind themselves of that - and be very, very proud! Nisa.

The little girl (Poppy) writes:

Thank you for giving me more blood, you make me feel nice. Now I can play in the garden. Poppy

I'm made up.:D It's such a lovely surprise and I'm grinning from ear to ear. I'd like to share these thoughts with all blood donors.

I watched my critically ill relative being given a blood transfusion as I sat at his hospital bedside. I know that blood donations save lives.:A

Well done to everyone who has donated blood.

Nile (48 donations)

Rikki

No1 son gave his first pint in June. :T

I'm proud of him.

LouBlue

Well done to Rikki's son. I have been talking to my niece, who is 16, I have talked her into doing it when she turns 17. OH is coming with me tomorrow, his first time. He has got all riled up and has printed out a form from the Blood Donor website and has stuck it up at work and 4 people already have said they will do it. Its amazing really, its not that most people don't want to do it, its just that they never think about it. So spread the word people!!!

sillyvixen

i am not able to give blood currently as 3 weeks post op - hopefully i will be able to resume donating in 6 months time as long as nothing else goes wrong!!

JoeyG

My mate wants to give blood with me, but he broke his leg back in January and had to have an operation to put pins in the bone... I'm guessing this would count as 'major surgery' can anyone confirm this?