Blood donor service

fluffnutter

MissUno wrote: »

I commend everyone who donates blood, so many people make such utterly ridiculous excuses not to bother...

Out of interest, what constitutes an 'utterly ridiculous excuse'?

alibongo42

I was politely asked not to come back because it takes me so long to give a pint and then I look pale/feel faint for the same length of time again!

I tried twice and they semed a little annoyed with me on the second donation when they couldn't get a whole pint. I do understand where they're coming from though.

stmatt

Alibongo, I have the same problem. I donated 3 times a year for about 12 years and then started getting problems where the nurse would try and speed things up and stop the blood flow completely which meant a wasted donation. I gave up all attempts when I got pregnant and just haven't been back since as my blood flow has got worse and my time is too precious now. I may have another go when the kids get a bit older.

fluffnutter

Me too. It's really difficult to take blood from me, my veins are thin and deep and I don't give it up willingly. It can take a phlebotomy nurse quarter of an hour to even get 5 ml (the minimum needed for a single test). How long would it take to get over one hundred times this amount? I also have a health anxiety and get terribly upset about any medical procedure. If I knew I was due to donate blood it would cause me to have panic attacks, lose sleep, lose my appetite and generally feel very miserable indeed. Some people just aren't suitable donors despite their actually wanting to help. I do get a little irritated by donor fascists who assume you're selfish because you don't give blood.

heretolearn_2

I'm not allowed as my OH is African, at least that's how I'm interpreting the rule

You should not give blood for 12 months after sex with:
Anyone of any race who has been sexually active in parts of the world where AIDS/HIV is very common. This includes countries in Africa.

So even though he's lived here for over 10 years, neither of us has AIDS/HIV, it sounds to me as though I've got to abstain for 12 months before giving blood...that's asking a bit too much.

Am I right?

fluffnutter

heretolearn wrote: »

I'm not allowed as my OH is African, at least that's how I'm interpreting the rule

You should not give blood for 12 months after sex with:
Anyone of any race who has been sexually active in parts of the world where AIDS/HIV is very common. This includes countries in Africa.

So even though he's lived here for over 10 years, neither of us has AIDS/HIV, it sounds to me as though I've got to abstain for 12 months before giving blood...that's asking a bit too much.

Am I right?

You would appear to have interpreted it correctly.

CoolHotCold

alibongo42 wrote: »

I was politely asked not to come back because it takes me so long to give a pint and then I look pale/feel faint for the same length of time again!

I tried twice and they semed a little annoyed with me on the second donation when they couldn't get a whole pint. I do understand where they're coming from though.

Heh thats nothing compared to my first time.
Donation went fine, finished all done. Went to take a drink, blacked out, (still sitting up when came too) no one noticed, puked up then blacked out and fell off my chair, woke up to a heavyset nurse with her knee on my face as I was trying to get up. Eventually after I regained my senses they laid me on a stretched with my legs up for a hour.

MissUno

fluffnutter wrote: »

Out of interest, what constitutes an 'utterly ridiculous excuse'?

People who say they don't have time or that they don't like needles for example.

I have a phobia of medical stuff, hate people wanting to stick needles in my veins to the point that I'm a grown woman (I'm 26) and need my mother to come with me for hospital appointments etc because I get so anxious about it. But when I was allowed to donate blood, I figured it was worth the anxiety if it meant the difference between life or death for someone out there.

I'm sure the people who do give their time and blood to help save the lives of other peoples loved ones will really appreciate being considered fascists by those who don't though (even TBS themselves encourage that anyone and everyone who is eligible to give blood do so because so much is needed on a daily basis) It's estimated that only around 4% of people bother to donate blood.

Hopefully I'll get the all clear from the hospital in 3 months time and then, my blood will be there for the taking again.

I encourage MSE forum members to just have a little lookie on http://www.blood.co.uk/ and if you can...do

sarah*a

dane-katie wrote: »

Id love to give blood but dont think i can with my medication, plus i keep getting tattoos!

No you can't if it's anti-d's/anti-psych's/mood-stabilisers

and I was told you have to be med free for a minimum of 18 months (and longer for certain meds) before you can give blood.

It's a shame but fully understandable.

I'm petrified of needles and have shy veins but a trained phelbotamist (sp!?:o) can deal with me so I have learnt to relax with them. The practice nurse at my surgery is another story :eek: we call her 'Jabby J****' as she just seems to aim and hope for the best _pale_

I applaud all who donate regularly :T:T and hope one day to be back amongst you

fluffnutter

MissUno wrote: »

People who say they don't have time or that they don't like needles for example.

I have a phobia of medical stuff, hate people wanting to stick needles in my veins to the point that I'm a grown woman (I'm 26) and need my mother to come with me for hospital appointments etc because I get so anxious about it. But when I was allowed to donate blood, I figured it was worth the anxiety if it meant the difference between life or death for someone out there.

I'm sure the people who do give their time and blood to help save the lives of other peoples loved ones will really appreciate being considered fascists by those who don't though (even TBS themselves encourage that anyone and everyone who is eligible to give blood do so because so much is needed on a daily basis) It's estimated that only around 4% of people bother to donate blood.

Hopefully I'll get the all clear from the hospital in 3 months time and then, my blood will be there for the taking again.

I encourage MSE forum members to just have a little lookie on http://www.blood.co.uk/ and if you can...do

How interesting that you've interpreted my post in a way that suits you. People who donate blood are not donor fascists. People who criticise others for not doing the same are donor fascists. It's entirely an individual's choice whether they donate blood or not. But there are always those who like to smugly take the moral high ground...