Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

noonesperfect

As far as I'm aware 12 weeks is the minimum time for everyone giving whole blood.

The last few times I've gone to a donation session they've offered to make my next appointment there and then. Perhaps this isn't a viable idea for you though.

My last session was on 20/10/08 my next is 30/01/09. About fifteen weeks I think.

It's always worth giving the NBS a ring to make your apppointment, they'll soon tell you if you're trying to go too often!!

upferret

Hi, why do platelet donors need to be male?

milkybars

Its to do with TRALI (transfusion-related acute lung injury) following a donor platelet transfusion. Females, particularly those who have previously been pregnant, are more likely to carry this antigen in the goo that comes with platelets. To reduce the risk of this for recipients, the blood donation governing bodies often restrict the donation of platelets from females.

upferret

thanks for that, I just checked the blood site and it doesnt mention males only but it did here http://www.blood.co.uk/nhsbt_platelets/who_can_donate/. Ill ask about it when I go next.

Bob63

There are always women there when I go to give platelets.

wilf55

thanks so much to everyone who does give blood i need regular tranfusions every 3 months and wouldnt be here with out you lot

thanks again

debs

torbrex

upferret wrote: »

Hi, why do platelet donors need to be male?

Last time I donated platelets I was outnumbered 2-1 and it was a female that was waiting to take my place.
It is dependant on your weight and platelet count rather than sex whether you are able to become a platelet donor. Anyone interested in becoming a platelet donor should ask next time they donate. The process does take longer but at least you can sit up and read or chat and you can drink tea and eat whilst donating.

ShaneUK

I tried giving blood in the past, but due to a medical condition (neurofibromatosis) they (wrongly) refused to take it. After a bit of argument and letters between my specialist and the Blood service, they agreed that my blood was ok to take, and wrote to me to tell me.

However, sadly I never got round to donating after that, and since then I had to receive three units of blood after having a very severe case of anaemia (my hG level I think it is fell to 4.4 when it should be around 12 or 13). So now, they won't take my blood.

I can't understand though why if you have received blood you can't give something back!

noonesperfect

ShaneUK wrote: »

I tried giving blood in the past, but due to a medical condition (neurofibromatosis) they (wrongly) refused to take it. After a bit of argument and letters between my specialist and the Blood service, they agreed that my blood was ok to take, and wrote to me to tell me.

However, sadly I never got round to donating after that, and since then I had to receive three units of blood after having a very severe case of anaemia (my hG level I think it is fell to 4.4 when it should be around 12 or 13). So now, they won't take my blood.

I can't understand though why if you have received blood you can't give something back!

QWhy are people who have or think they may have received a blood transfusion since 1980 no longer able to give blood?AThis step has been implemented by all four of the UK Blood Services on 2nd August 2004. It is a further precautionary measure against the possible risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) being transmitted by blood and blood products.

vCJD is thought to be the consequence of eating contaminated beef, related to BSE (or mad cow disease) in UK cattle after 1980. Fortunately, vCJD is very rare. But in late 2003, there was evidence that a blood donor transmitted vCJD to a patient, via transfusion. Scientists are not 100% sure that this is the case, as it is possible that both donor and patient acquired vCJD by eating contaminated beef.

Bob63

noonesperfect wrote: »

vCJD is thought to be the consequence of eating contaminated beef, related to BSE (or mad cow disease) in UK cattle after 1980. Fortunately, vCJD is very rare. But in late 2003, there was evidence that a blood donor transmitted vCJD to a patient, via transfusion. Scientists are not 100% sure that this is the case, as it is possible that both donor and patient acquired vCJD by eating contaminated beef.

It is for this reason that Americans who have lived in the UK are not allowed to donate blood at home.