Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

torbrex

astonsmummy wrote: »

I'm thinking about doing this after I've had my baby, I'd aso ike to see if I can on the bone marrow register, I'm mixed raced (carribbean) and mum keeps going on at me and my sis about doing it as she watched something on the telly about there being a real shortage for 'ethnic' donors.

You wont be able to donate for a year after the birth but you can register for the bone marrow panel anytime, it just requires a small sample of blood for 'tissue typing'

Pollycat

I gave blood regularly from the age of 18 and got my bronze and silver badges, then they started rejecting my donation as we regularly travel to 'exotic' destinations.

It's a shame really as they have donor sessions in my local village and I would like to start again.

astonsmummy

torbrex wrote: »

You wont be able to donate for a year after the birth but you can register for the bone marrow panel anytime, it just requires a small sample of blood for 'tissue typing'

I checked the websit and it said 9 months after.
Well it asked if i was pregnant or had a baby within the last 9 months.
Ooh I'll register for the others then.

Ice_2

noonesperfect wrote: »

I'm a regular donor too. I last went in October. Although I could technically donate again on 12th January 09, the appointment I was offered is not until March! I've been to blood donor online but there isn't anything available sooner within 10 miles of where I live....shame I would gladly give if I could make an appointment sooner but they've already been taken.

strange that cos my next appointment was for the end of January 09 but they have changed it for the end of February now....

Ice_2

what can any of us say, if your thinking of doing it, or want to return to donating after an absence,
then just do it,
it maybe that your first time is just an appointment and register your interest in doing this, they may need to get in touch with your GP to make sure its ok for you to do this,
but its a start.
then if successful they will send you another appointment,
But you don't know this until you make that first contact with them, go on save a life today.
:j :T
its Christmas Miracles do happen.
:snow_grin :xmastree: :xmassmile

yellowlabellady

Hi there

I just wanted to say that you are all amazing people and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart as I required a substantial blood transfusion a couple of years ago and it is due to good people like you all that I was able to have this and for it to give me the chance to recover from a huge blood loss I had suffered.

My only regret is that as I have had a transfusion myself I cannot now return the favour of donating my own blood, but my husband is making that up for me :rotfl:!!!

Keep up the good work and a very Merry Christmas to you all.

x

torbrex

Pollycat wrote: »

I gave blood regularly from the age of 18 and got my bronze and silver badges, then they started rejecting my donation as we regularly travel to 'exotic' destinations.

It's a shame really as they have donor sessions in my local village and I would like to start again.

You should give your local donor centre a phone, some parts of the world are more prone to different diseases and there are different 'cooling off' periods. I go to America every year and have to delay my next donation for 30 days after my return and some malaria prone countries can be up to 1 year (I think) before your next donation.

noonesperfect

Ice wrote: »

strange that cos my next appointment was for the end of January 09 but they have changed it for the end of February now....

Maybe they think you'll be snowed in!!!

Pollycat

You should give your local donor centre a phone, some parts of the world are more prone to different diseases and there are different 'cooling off' periods. I go to America every year and have to delay my next donation for 30 days after my return and some malaria prone countries can be up to 1 year (I think) before your next donation.

torbrex
the problem is that we visit malarial areas probably twice a year so we are never 'free'.
I might just check again though.

torbrex

Have you all checked your local donor sessions to see what times they are open this weekend.

It is a perfect way to unwind from all the stresses of the 'festive' season, what could be nicer than to lie down for a while then relaxing in nice company with a cup of tea or coffee.

And, I almost forgot, you get to help save a life, now thats what I call a good afternoons work.