General Chat

I tried to give blood when I was younger - was all 'laid out' arm ready - then they asked my weight, and at 71/2 stome, even though I was perfectly healthy (ag lab, lifting half hundred weight bags of spuds) they wouldn't take it!
Then had children. Once I had started accumulating 'middle age spread' - getting fatter - and was over 81/2 stone, I intended trying again - but then found out I only had one kidney, so I'm definitely out of the running. I'm 'O' positive, which, I believe means I could donate to other groups.

Thank you, to all the folk that do give blood.......I had to have a fair few bags of blood when I was in a road accident ,back in 1990.........which sadly means I can't donate myself.
My brother has been a regular doner for many years.......I'm proud of him....and all you lot : )

I've given blood several times before, but had a piercing (got a bit rebellious in my thirties!!) and had to wait a year before I could go again. I waited, and with one thing another, didn't manage to go for two years.

I went out of my way, about a month ago, biked down to the centre, filled out the forms, had the "interview" with the guy at the computer, waited for about 20 mins after that, went to see the nurse to go through my details, she went off to check with someone else as she wasn't sure about one of my answers. Cue next nurse, with a folder the size of War And Peace, and asks about my operations.

I've had 3 skin grafts on my ear-drum, last one in 1996. Apparently, my first one stops me from giving blood, as they used 'pig tissue'. I'm therefore at risk of giving someone CJD, this is despite the fact that I've given blood several times before and now, I'm a *possible* CJD victim.....???!!! That's a tad worrying.

I've had an official letter since, telling me not to give blood again.... :o(

Bummer.

myself and my husband have been donors for years and were quite proud to have persuaded our daughter,her partner and two of our grandchildren to join over a year ago. So if anyone out there is thinking about it but is worried if it is painful, then i assure you its no more painful than having a blood test and takes about ten minutes.

That just got me thinking, Mo. I put a post up a few weeks back when my aunty phoned to say my cousin and his wife had had their first daughter. What I didn't know till a get-together two weekends following was that, although the baby was fine, mum haemmorraghed afterwards and lost 3 litres of blood.

It just shows, you never know when you might need it. (I would guess my cousin's wife must have been given six units or so.)

Our doctor said my husband would be a good candidate for donating blood. He got the forms, and low and behold they would not take it, as he was over 65.
I cant understand, if the doctor thought he was healthy enough. Think they should go on a persons condition, not their age.

I was grateful for blood donars, I had four bags of blood in 1996, when I had internal bleeding.

Mo

I wish i could give more ~ but have just been told i cann`t give any more blood due to my health problems.


xxx

I would say to anyone who is not sure about giving blood or platelets. Please do, my baby son was rush to hospital by us with Group A Step , Toxic shock and septicemia a very rarely condition and one that the few people who get it may die. We did not know what his condition was at the time. The doctors at theThe Devon out of hours Doctor service, North Devon District Hospital and the Bristol Childrens Hospital (particularly the PICU - Intensive care for kids) were FANTASTIC. Please do not moan about the NHS they are wonderful in a crisis, when it counts - nothing was too much trouble, and nothing was held back. On the subject of blood my baby was given tranfusions of blood and platelets. If you can give, then please do, this is one of the factors that helped save his life and in turn has saved mine - I would have been devastated, as any parent would. This happened in August this year, if anyone wants to read a blogg my husband wrote at the time please go to www.shebbearvillage.co.uk and look for the link to Alex Simpson. As a parent, I would say to anyone - go with your instinct, if you think your child is extremely poorly see a doctor. I can not speak highly enough about the consultants, doctors and nurses of the NHS who saved his life, but also all the anonymous people out there who give their blood freely - THANK YOU. Deborah. PS dont get worried if you have Strep A, it is very common. Alexander reaction to it was rare - I think only a handful of people have his reaction ( 20 or so people out 60 million) Deborah Simpson.

Same in Ireland Tanianz

Booked in already for 2nd Nov - I'm B positive! My husband's aunt is going in for a heart valve replacement op next month, so I tell her she'll be fine - that pint's for her - LOL!

I love those cheesy tuc biscuits with my cuppa afterwards!

Booked for a platelet count on Friday -then it will be back to monthly donations

Hi Liz
NZ does not have CJD and they are afraid that if someone contracted it while eating meat products in the UK we may end up with it down here,which would frankly devastate our export market so badly we may not recover.
Im a bit surprised though that they havent lifted the ban as time goes on,I have been home 14 years now,but I guess they will have to give us at least 20 to see if anyone gets ill

That's quite a scary thought, that some countries think we brits might have dodgy blood!

I was always told I couldn't give blood as I had had jaundice but not sure how true that was or if it was my mother getting confused again, as I think I was only jaundiced when born. I should have checked it out myself, not sure what my blood group is, but too old now and also I had a blood transfusion in 1980.

I will have to talk to my son and see if he will do it, don't think he has a problem with needles and is a strong healthy lad. Don't think o.h. will, he's awful with needles or any illness, he can't cope at all.

Well done to all those who do already donate and those who intend getting involved, and thanks to whoever supplied the stuff I need when I haemorraghed after an op.

Lizx

Well actually colin thanks to living with you lot out there for a few years i am unable to give blood here in NZ
the health department are afraid I might be a mad old cow(which I probably am)but yes seriously anyone that resided in the UK for longer than 6mths in the 80s and 90s are unable to give blood here

Sorry, too old. (nudge nudge:-)) )
Brian(i)

I've been a donor since 1983. At the time I was an Operator with British Telecom, come to think of it, I'd say that most of the girls in my office volunteered to donate blood, at the time, we saw it as an easy way to get a few hours out of the office.

Proud to say that I have just given my 50th donation this year!

Hi everyone
i'm one of the few, been giving blood since I was 18.
I used to work for Barclays in London and there were regular sessions at our head office,
we were allowed to go during work time.
I started after the Moorgate underground crash, When the news came in of the crash the office completely emptied except for staff under 18

I'm O+

x

I was amazed to hear that only 4% of those eligable to donate blood do so. I was sure that here in Ireland we were much better than that. Sadly it is not so. 60% of the population are eligable to give blood here and only 3% do so.
I used to donate years ago but then they wouldn't take my blood. Now I am on medication so it is out of the question. OH gives blood all the time. 70 units now.
They have become so fussy now about accepting your blood. It may be of interest to know that in Ireland they won't take blood from anyone who has spent 6months + in the UK between 1980 and 1997

This will help you to find the nearest donation session. There are some weekend slots (Mildred)

http://www.blood.co.uk/SessionSearcher/search.aspx