donating giving blood

fsdss

Martin (yes :money:) has suggested that i start a new thread outlining the benefits of giving blood.

[FONT=&quot]http://www.blood.co.uk/index.html[/FONT]

As many of you are aware my Nephew aged 17 is seriously ill in hospital on a life support machine having had a rare complication to Glandular fever. In order to save his life he has to date, received over 30 pints of blood. That means that 30 people in the UK have contributed in saving the life of Rick. For those anonymous donors i thank you from the bottom of my heart.

as requested, here is the original thread where we received the most fantastic support

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=651241

I admit to being complacent about not giving blood for the past 4 years – never having the time or other insignificant commitments have taken over – but the serious situation our family have faced over christmas, have made us realise that this can happen to anyone.

Whilst Rick has by no means a rare blood type, he has had blood transported to the hospitals where he has received treatment at a great cost to the public purse. To date blood has been sent from all corners of the UK by ambulance and helicopter - and that is just for one person! Undoubtedly the national cost to the NHS for transporting blood will impact our future free health care.

Both Intensive care units he has been in this week are full to the brim of patients who are using donated blood. The age ranges of these patients I have seen are from babies to elderly (and that is just from the Intensive Care units).

Giving blood just takes about half an hour of your time. During this time you will receive a free cup of tea and biscuit and a well deserve rest. You will also leave in the knowledge that you have done something special in your life for which the reward is priceless.

Blood Stocks in the UK are low. The National Blood Service website will guide you on how and where to donate and allows you to book an appointment. It also guides you to see if you are a suitable donor.

[FONT=&quot]http://www.blood.co.uk/index.html[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]here's a link to Scotland's website[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]http://www.scotblood.co.uk/[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]E petition the government for protection of our National Blood Service as staffing levels and venues are recommended to be drastically reduced[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/nbs-sos/[/FONT]

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Browntoa

as a regular donor I can tell you that the appointment system works very well so book up and get down there !!!

you can also opt to go on the bone marrow donors list (simple blood test) at the same time so 2 birds with one stone

Bogof_Babe

I went with my OH on Wednesday (we were on our way to go shopping, it's not that he needs a minder!) and was totally impressed with the calm efficiency of the whole business. It truly is Britain at its best, both in the number of donors in the waiting room and the way the procedure is carried out.

OH just gave his 48th donation, and hopes to get to 70 before having to stop at age 70. I couldn't be a donor myself due to "women's problems" meaning I rarely had any to spare , although I ought to enquire now that's all over with I suppose.

Excellent idea both fsdss and Martin to dedicate a thread to this very worthwhile and essential service.

Millie's_Mum

I've been giving blood for 15 years and the local session is always really busy, but I understand that nationally less than 6% of the population give blood, that is shocking because if any of us needed it we would expect it to be there wouldn't we?

I've never had any problems whilst giving blood and it doesn't hurt.

I don't know why more people don't give blood, if anyone has any questions about what its like etc I would be happy to try and answer.

noonesperfect

I second what the others have said. The appointment system works brilliantly and everything runs smoothly with military precision. The staff are always pleasant and caring.
TBH I look forward to going, next due March. (its the only stime I get to eat 3 bourbon creams all to myself :rotfl: :rotfl:Sad isn't it )
But the feeling of real worth you get after is priceless.:T You might just save someone's life if you go.

fsdss

the thing that strikes me as i said in my first post, that the intensive care departments in both hospitals (and Glenfield hospital is about 10 times larger than Ricks original hospital) was full to the brim of patients. the more i have become aware of the importance of giving blood - the more i have noticed and all seemed to have a bag of blood next to their bed. on Weds a baby of about 6 months went past me having been admitted also with blood hooked up. so its not just the elderly who i assumed would be taking up beds

Nytehawk

Millie's_Mum wrote: »

I've been giving blood for 15 years and the local session is always really busy, but I understand that nationally less than 6% of the population give blood, that is shocking because if any of us needed it we would expect it to be there wouldn't we?

I've never had any problems whilst giving blood and it doesn't hurt.

I don't know why more people don't give blood, if anyone has any questions about what its like etc I would be happy to try and answer.

I am also a regular 53 donations to date and the reason I was given that only 6% of the population give blood lies in the questionnaire sent to you before you donate and the biggest inputting factor is that you can't give blood if you have had an operation since 1980 (That lost more than 55000 regular donors alone)

Travelling to certain countries (outside of Europe especially) make you a risk

Sexual partnership and things like HIV etc

High Blood Pressure 23% UK adult population suffer with either HBP or LBP (Many GPs will put you on non steroid medications which you are obliged to disclose. These non steroid meds are not compatible with giving blood

These are a few that spring to mind. The appointment system is a great idea and if the NBTS travelled to larger working organisations they would get a better turnover. We get a NBTS van around and make appointments through our HR dep't which at least helps us to get there with minimum inconvenience

HTH

Keeping_Motivated

Hi fsdss as I have mentioned on your other thread I am going to enquire about giving blood your experience has made me realise/remember that after all the surgery my child has had i should give something back.

Might be a good idea to put a link to your original thread in the first post so people can read the emotional/traumatic experience you have all been through and without the blood you would not have got to the stage your nephew is at now it was that critical.

Bogof_Babe

Nytehawk wrote: »

I am also a regular 53 donations to date and the reason I was given that only 6% of the population give blood lies in the questionnaire sent to you before you donate and the biggest inputting factor is that you can't give blood if you have had an operation since 1980 (That lost more than 55000 regular donors alone)

I didn't know that. Do you know what the reason is? That would count me out anyway then.

Violetta_2

Hope you don't mind me adding The Scotblood Website for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. I've regularly read your thread on your nephew, I do hope he is better soon & thank's for bringing this issue up it is so important.

stamford

noonesperfect wrote: »

I second what the others have said. The appointment system works brilliantly and everything runs smoothly with military precision. The staff are always pleasant and caring.
TBH I look forward to going, next due March. (its the only stime I get to eat 3 bourbon creams all to myself :rotfl: :rotfl:Sad isn't it )
But the feeling of real worth you get after is priceless.:T You might just save someone's life if you go.

I go along with that - making an appointment is the best way - on one session last year I forgot and had to wait about an hour. I pig out on the biccys & crisps after - I'm particularly partial to those 3 packs of Cheese Sandwich Tuc style ones