Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

ahrimaniac

I'd donate bone marrow and blood at the drop of a hat, but sadly, because I'm gay, I'm forbidden.

Because all gays have dangerous dangerous sex. No straight people do, naturally.

Miss_Penny_Pincher_2

Ahrimaniac from what I have heard about the Blood Donor service is appears to be extremely prejudical! Obviously they need to ensure blood is safe but they test the blood for any sexually transmitted diseases anyway!

I went to donate blood but because of a genetic condition I was born with I was told that they wanted to check if they could use my blood. Fair dos. After a couple of weeks I received a letter saying that they were happy to accept me, could I please attend as soon as possible etc etc. But during that time I was extremely disgusted to discover that deaf people are not permitted to donate blood! Personally I find this extremely discriminatory! Apparently the reason that deaf people are not permitted to give blood is because the blood donor service does not want to have a sign language interpreter present even though this would cost the blood donor service nothing. Sign language interpreters go through years of training which includes medical signing and are accepted as translaters in court, at doctors etc so to use this excuse is deplorable! I am hard of hearing but use hearing aids so do not need an interpreter but until these outdated prejudices are ended I am sorry but due to my principles I will not be donating any blood.

ahrimaniac

That's appalling, though I'd make sure that was a blanket rule, because I know one of my friends, who is absolutely deaf, donates. Might just not let on.

As for me, well it does sadden me. They can justify their ban with statistics but at the end of the day, I practice safe sex, I've been having regular HIV tests since I've been having sex, I've never injected drugs and I'm generally in good health. I'd love to donate - I think it's a terrific thing to do - and it does genuinely sadden me that I can't.

Miss_Penny_Pincher_2

That reassures me that your friend can donate. Maybe the source that I got the information from wasn't 100% accurate or they may have changed their policy since then? It was about 3 years ago I think!

Ahrimaniac I'm sure that you do many other beneficial things.

frizz_head

The blood van comes to my place of work every 6 months, and we now are able to make appointments after donating for the next session in 6 months. This is great, because before if you didn't phone on the day they released the appointments, then you would miss out.

in_my_wellies

I donated yesterday. The needle area left no mark at all but where the large plaster was stuck has left a deep red rectangular bruise.

This has never happened before. Is this an allergy which I have developed or just the hot weather?

Thanks

choccyface2006

I have been donating blood for years, although I am often anaemic so sometimes I can't. I have sucessfully donated 8 units but have attended at least twice that many times and been turned down, I am persistant though & keep coming back!

My ex husband didn't want me to donate, he was convinced that everything would be contaminated and I would catch something, not matter how much I tried to tell him he refused to listen, in the end I went but didn't tell him.

I really feel I am doing something worthwhile and I always encourage other people to do it. I have also been on the Anthony Nolan bone marrow donor list for 14 years and have been called twice for further tests, the last time a couple of years ago, I got as far as the final testing stage, my blood was mixed with the patients to monitor the reaction. I was not chosen as I donor and was very dissapointed. To have the feeling that you have helped to save a life is fantastic. I carry a donor card and have registered with them too & my family know my wishes which is probably the most important bit.


The Anthony Nolan Trust are always asking for healthy potential donors, especially males or those in the less commen ethnic groups, so if you think you might want to become a donor, have a look at their site.

http://www.anthonynolan.org.uk/

My parner came with me last time, he has donated in the past but not recently, he felt great afterwards and told everyone that the needle was as big as a drinking straw, lol. The man next to us was reading a book "Blood brothers" I had to laugh! Once I had a nurse called "Mrs Faint" how apropriate!

I actually enjoy watching them put the needle in, won't lie down, preferring to sit up and watch the bag fill up! Does anyone else do that?

A pos both of us.

Sarah x

Jay1b

Do they ask for ID or something whilst giving blood? Or do you just write your info down on the form.

kiwigirl

Hi Jay,

If I remember correctly when you first start you just completed your information on the form - but just in case take some ID with you if you've got something like the new driving licence card or similar (but I don't remember having to take mine).

When you donate for the second time, they'll send you a form through post, if you complete that before you go to donate you can jump the queue a bit whilst everyone else fills their form up or alternatively you can book ahead too. Some people take a friend who's done it before with them the first time to talk with whilst they're donating or try and get the next bed to them, if you explain it's your first time donating they'll watch after you a bit more.

Don't do anything strenous for around 24 hours after you donate and best to keep away from alcohol that evening too - or otherwise you do get very drunk quickly!

If you have time what about checking the website and seeing if there's anything on that for new donators?

Good luck if you do decide to donate, it is well worth doing.

KG

Jay1b

Well the thing is, i'm paranoid about people having data on me. I wouldnt mind doing it if i could a give false name. You never know what going to happen with insurance companies in the future. Wouldnt surprise me if you was 'at risk' by giving blood or something like that - well maybe not now but in the future. Otherwise i would actually quite like to give blood, my Nan used a lot of it when she was ill.