Blood Donation

[ginger ninger]

I gave my 53rd pint a few weeks ago, and yes I think the appointment system has put a lot of people off giving blood.
My OH is a long distance lorry driver now, and appointments are a waist off time to him if he gets stuck in traffic on the day of his appointment, he's even had them turn him away, it can be weeks till he can get another appointment and the same thing can happened all over again, he's said that once he's reached 50 pints he's packing in.

[grannymem]

Have just booked an appointment. Thanks for reminding me - I used to donate blood but got out of the habit (hangs head in shame!)

Jamie sounds a wonderful little boy - with an equally wonderful family - My very best wishes to all of you.

[kirsty b]

I started donating again this year, after a lapse of nearly 10 All to do with Brad really. He needed so much blood and stuff to get him through each cycle of chemo it made all of us want to give something back.

[Jax]

I started donating again this year, after a lapse of nearly 10 All to do with Brad really. He needed so much blood and stuff to get him through each cycle of chemo it made all of us want to give something back.

It really does doesnt it. When someone so close to you needs so much help you just want to give back. Makes you appreciate life and changes your perspective.

[Jax]

Last time I gave blood it was a complete nightmare; they tried both arms, completely left me unable to bend either arm and when I got home [after driving with straight arms] my front door wouldn't open. I had to climb in through the window and in doing so, passed out halfway through and collapsed in a heap in the kitchen. Not much of a laugh and I just haven't done it since after being too scared to have the unbendy arm situation again.

However, I had to have a blood test 2 weeks ago and she had no problem at all getting it so I did think then that I'd do it again now that my veins are obviously getting easier to find. Old age and all that.

Oh no unbendy arms sound awful. It seems it happens occasionally. Im no expert or anything though. You can ask for numbing cream which can help though.

[zazen999]

I did after the first arm - but she said they don't do that anymore.

Now of course, I can't properly straighten my left arm anyway after a serious fall.......but if it is easier for them to take it now then I'm in again.


Thanks for posting this thread. On behalf of all of us who are now reminded.

[Rhona]

What a thought provoking thread.

It was only when pregnant that I was told I have a very rare blood group (less than 2% of global population) - I'd never even known my type before. I was encouraged to think about giving as stocks of my blood group are always in very short supply.

I can't at the moment as have to wait until a year after giving birth apparently, but I will when that time has passed.

[Nicos]

I used to give blood regularly- but had to stop because of an illness.
Can't see why more peeps don't donate regularly- although I can see how people could be put off after a bad experience.

People used to be given a certificate or something after 50 donations or so -didn't they???- no idea if they do that now.

[Polly Fouracre]

What a thought provoking thread.

It was only when pregnant that I was told I have a very rare blood group (less than 2% of global population) - I'd never even known my type before. I was encouraged to think about giving as stocks of my blood group are always in very short supply.

I can't at the moment as have to wait until a year after giving birth apparently, but I will when that time has passed.

If I were you I would offer blood when it is needed. The blood ALWAYS needed is the most common one and, contrary to belief, blood doesn't keep for very long. Your blood may one day be vital to someone of the same group!

[OverWyreGrower]

I've never given blood before, being one of the populace who are terrified of needles...

However, with my sister being ill, and me being a potential stem cell donor, I have been thinking about it a lot. I have resolved to be added to the SC Donor register, whether I match my sister or not; and I saw a poster for Giving Blood at my work this morning and I think I might go and give it a try.

[Alison]

Well, after trying again with the booking system have now got an appointemnt for the start of Feb next year - fingers crossed they don't cancel it and I don't have a site visit that day to make me late home! By the way, am comforted to know it's not just me that's having trouble with the booking system, don't feel as incompetant now!

[organic]

I've had a patchy donation record for a few years. I think I started around about 9 years ago and after some long gaps here and there my next donation (I think) will be number 10.

For the most part I just gave because I knew I should... then one scary day a friend of mine crashed in the HDU after some pretty nasty surgery. The fast work of the truly incredible nurses* on that HDU and a calm doctor on his rounds who was calling the shots managed to keep her with us. For that I can't thank them enough (though I did try).

The thing that really stunned me though, was the difference a single unit of red blood made. She went from looking grey, really ill, lethargic and basically like someone who was hanging on after a nasty operation - to looking like someone who was going to make it, like my friend.
After giving a fair few donations and trying to encourage anyone who would listen to do the same I saw, first hand, the dramatic difference those donations can make - ont only to the recipient, but to their friends, families and loved ones.

Unless you are excluded from giving blood you really should be donating.

If nothing else persuades you think of this...
...if you were in an accident, had surgery or were otherwise on death's door, you'd want blood to be available to help keep you alive. What right do you have to expect that from other people, if you're not prepared to give some of your own?

I'm going to donate this week. It's about time I went back.

Thanks for the thread, Jax.



* Truly the most noble profession - I'm very proud of my nurse-in-training girlfriend. I couldn't do that job. Anyone who can deserves far more than they get, both in pay, in appreciation and in respect.

[batpixie]

I have regularly given blood since I was 17, I think 9 times in Scotland and 23 since I moved to England (the Scottish blood service is different to the English one apparently). My most recent donation was on Monday. We didn't have an appointment and were still able to be seen. I thought that although most places preferred you to make an appointment, you could still just drop-in to most sessions and still give blood?

For those scared of needles, giving blood is not as bad as you may imagine. It doesn't hurt after the needle goes in (even that just feels like a scratch), and if you are worried about the needle hurting when it is put in I think that you can still request the local anesthetic to be put on first (I'm sure it says that you can in the booklet that they give me to read before every donation).

It's a good feeling when you have finished giving blood - you could have just saved some-ones life!

[Matt.]

Does anyone here give platlets? I have been asked to do this a second time (ingnored first) and although I'm not bothered about the extra time and frequency I'd like to know if it has the same impact as regular blood donation on your body.

I'm a frequent gym go-er and I always find it takes me a couple of weeks to fully recover from blood donation to perform back at the same level. I don't mind this for a few weeks a year but if it was 50% of my time I'd be less happy. Especially as I like to do biking and other sport. Does anyone know what it does to you?

By the way for all those considering donating but aren't sure you CAN'T notice the impact in day to day things. To be honest once you've had a drink and biscuit its like it never happened. I'm talking about running 5km a minute slower than I did before etc!!

[Nicos]

I'm talking about running 5km a minute slower than I did before etc!!

You run 5km in a minute????...that's 186mph...what do you use for fuel- Jerusalem Artichokes?????