Blood donation

[alijangra]

Who here regularly gives blood? If not, why not? (no accusatory tone meant before anyone takes offence). We are in the middle of a national shortage. If you dont give blood, is there anything that might encourage you to do so in the future?

[fluff-mcguff]

i donate two pints a month and carry a donor card

[missrandom]

I have given blood, iam a weirdo and actually quite like it, i mean its interesting. They used to come were I worked but I dont work theyre anymore, so i'm afraid i just havent got around to it again. it needs to be made more conveinient. i reckon Tesco should offer it, they have everything else!!

[Psychick]

I would love to give blood as it is so needed and so important but, unfortunately, my veins collapse just with giving a small blood sample......theres no way they would get anywhere near a pint out off me!
I am, however, registered on the national donar list......as organ donation is needed as much as blood donation and the more we can promote the awareness of both, the better...I hope no one minds me posting this link here, it just seems fitting..... :)http://www.myspace.com/idgiveyouone

[Panic Button]

2 pints a month fluff? I think not.

Its less than a pint, and not more than once every four months.

[Skreecheeboy]

I'm not allowed to because I can tick 3 of the boxes that stop you being allowed to.

[mrknowall]

Yes Panic is right it is just under a pint -- 470ml
Thanks panic i'm going to give blood for the first time this month. And it doesn't say how many times i can give blood.
Mrk

[helliebobs]

I would like to give blood but the first time I had a blood test as an adult I fainted, then I had to have loads taken while I was pregnant which I hated and led to the conclusion that I have crappy weak veins (I'd make a rubbish junkie) . I also gave birth 3 months ago (pregnant women or those with babies under 9 months can't give blood) and had to have a blood transfusion after a caesarean so I wouldn't be allowed anyway. I'm not scared of needles but I hate the sensation of the blood leaving my body, so if I could get over that then I would gladly do it.

[bigmamma]

I used to donate blood when I was younger and could but as I was light weight they took the small paediatric bag that they give to babies instead of the usual adult bag.

[SpongeBrain]

I would give blood but the last time I had a blood test the nurse had such a problem finding a vein that she recommended I didn't give blood as I apparently have thin(?) veins and every time you give blood (or get blood taken for any other reason) it scars your veins and then this makes it harder to find a place to get into your veins if they really needed to. I know it sounds selfish but I don't want to ruin my veins in case I have any need to be operated on or anything like that. Obviously the way she explained it was far more technical but hope you get the drift.

[alijangra]

So you are not a big mamma, bigmamma? lol :)

[bigmamma]

Lol alijangra , thats right , I am not big even though my username may imply it. :-)

[fluff-mcguff]

yes panic button i donate twice a month with a pint each time.

[whiskeysheri]

I donated for the first time a couple of months ago. I had wanted to do it earlier, but I had to have an operation.

Blood and stuff really doesn't bother me and I was quite fascinated watching it! I did have a lot of bruising the next day... and for three weeks after, LOL! I'll be going again in the next couple of months and taking my mum and her boyfriend with me again, too.

I'm trying to get my boyfriend to do it, but he's a bit of a wuss! :o)

[mrknowall]

I got my leaflets yesterday you can only give blood ever 16 weeks and they only take just under a pint.
Yours does seem a lot fluff-mcguff is yours private on NHS ?

[whiskeysheri]

You can see the blood stocks here... http://www.blood.co.uk/pages/stocklevel.html

That seems like a lot, fluff-mcguff! You're only meant to donate a maximum of three times per year. :o)

[Bruizedapple]

Pippa - sorry have no idea about organs, I hadn't thought about it.

Just assumed they'd whip em all out as I've told my family to give em all away. Maybe not though!

[Pippa68]

Hi Bruizedapple :o)

I have been told that the reason they don't want my blood is due to the risk of me having CJD after my blood transfusion in 1990. I just wondered that as I am such high risk maybe my organs wouldn't be good enough either..although I suppose they would have time to test them as I would be dead!

[missrandom]

whiskey, that link was really interesting and ive just booked myself in again, thanks!

[Bruizedapple]

It's probably worth checking out with the donor people - I carry a card but maybe there is little point!

There was a petition on number 10 to remove the ban on gay men but it's been denied cos we are all high risk. Which is infuriating given the HIV positive rates in straight people also!!.

I agree the rules are there to protect people but surely they should be applied with some logic!!

Also someone mentioned not being able to give blood cos of a heart op? It's because there is a risk of getting an infection in your bloodstream, which could prove fairly lethal - if you go to the dentist for work do you have to take a big whack of antibiotics? it's for a similar reason.

Its yet another reason why I can't give blood :(

[fluff-mcguff]

if so whiskersherri then thanks i have never been told and just go twice a month. glad someone told me cos i benn doin this for a year now and obviosly its only three times a year for a reason and i could be doin some damage