Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

MortgageMamma

I give blood and feel faint every time but its a good excuse for a mars bar.

I started giving blood in 1997 after I haemorraged during childbirth and was offered a transfusion myself. I refused it but I am so grateful for those thoughtful people whose blood I nearly got. I remember lying there in the delivery room and a nurse screaming at me not to shut my eyes. The room spun (presumably because my blood pressure dropped). I remember looking at my husband and newborn daughter megan and thinking, I hope they will be OK without me. I recovered (obviously) but was ill and anaemic for about 9 months afterwards, and I really do wish I'd had the transfusion now.

Every baby had after that was a blessing but I was also very anxious I would haemorrage again. Thankfully I didnt!

MM

postingalwaysposting

well its my blood day today off in a min, oh and this is a sneaking bump for a great cause :grinheart

Thefunkygibbons

I am up to nearly 40 so well on track for my Gold award in a few years time

I am happy that with the appointment system, they have made it much easier than it used to be

eglington

I was forced to stop due to high blood pressure - but I managed 50 over the years and am now the proud recipient of a special engraved pen and my 50 gold badge. My dad's leg was amputated and he was given many pints of blood- I hope I have helped people, because people helped him.
Good luck everybody, the more people they get in, the more people they can help.

spanner07

I would love to give blood, but I am absolutly petrified of needles. I have never had a blood test (at the grand old age of 26!), and get panic attacks if I go to the drs with a worry that I might need one. Can anyone suggest a way of getting over this? I know its silly! Please don't suggest just going for it though, even the thought of it has me going.
Thanks!

juno

spanner07 wrote:

I would love to give blood, but I am absolutly petrified of needles. I have never had a blood test (at the grand old age of 26!), and get panic attacks if I go to the drs with a worry that I might need one. Can anyone suggest a way of getting over this? I know its silly! Please don't suggest just going for it though, even the thought of it has me going.
Thanks!

It might be worth going to the doctor and asking to be referred to a counsellor, or seeing if they have any suggestions.

Do you know which bit scares you? Is it the sight of the blood, the fear of the pain etc?

tjfs

I wish they wouldn't say on the website that you can't feel a thing. This is clearly rubbish - the donation needle goes in about an inch and is quite wide! They used to give you local anaesthetic but not any more (although I believe you can ask for it). I've given 51 donations so far, need some encouragement to give any more as I now have my official biro (wow) and nothing more to look forward to ;-)

Jeannine

Don't give up now! I've recently given my 57th donation so I'm working up to my 60th within the next year.

little_miss_thrifty

I used to give blood while i was at college (some 15 odd years ago:eek: ) but stopped (regretably) on advisement of the Blood Transfusion Service. I have low blood pressure and finding a suitable vein was bad enough; getting the blood out was worse! On my last attempt, it took an hour to get 1/2 a test tube measure out! They wrote to me after that suggesting i don't come in any more - probably thought they could get another 3 people on the bed in the time i took...would still give it if need be though.

B+

ellas9602

How long does it take to give blood? I work quite near to a centre and get a one hour lunch break. Would I have time to do it in my lunch?