to feel miffed that they don't want my blood?

[clam]

OK, so am RH O Negative, which is always particularly in demand as it can be given to anyone of any blood type. Have heard that stocks are really low at the moment and they are pleading with people to donate. I've been donating on and off for 30 years.
Phoned up the National Blood Service to say "I'm here!! Clam to the rescue!" but they weren't in the least bit grateful and said they're too busy until January 12th to fit me in!

I was hoping for a fast-tracked system this week, whereby I'd overtake everyone else in the queue and be given a special seat with a cushion and extra nice biscuits.

So, AIBU?

Does anyone understand that rule anymore? I thought heterosexual women were the fastest growing group for STDs?

They have changed it now - it's only if you have had sex with a gay man in the last 12 months, not ever (as it used to be) - this is because HIV often doesn't show up on a test in the first year of infection, I think?

It does still seem discriminatory though.

oh, that's right - but the man rule is still ever.

Well, ideally they'd never take blood from anyone who's ever had sex but then we'd have a really serious blood shortage

All the rules are there for a reason. I just wish they'd considered blood transmission of HIV earlier and then maybe I'd not have had to bury two friends in their 20s.

I ticked the wrong box in my questionaire and wrongly admitted to having had bum sex with a gay african or something. I think i was a bit flushed when nurse tolf me i couldn't donate and i had to swear id done no such thing.

I've never been able to as I've never been able to leave it 6 months between tattoos and piercings. And now I'm married to a bi bloke, so can't now either. :(

fmarleypaterson -
I was told the last time I tried to donate that I couldn't due to having a blood transfusion when I had my son in 2008.
I am a rare blood type (AB +), have given blood before and would love to again and it gets me so mad that they tell me I'm not allowed :(
It almost makes me want to lie and say I haven't had one just so I can donate!

With all of the testing that can be done now, I wonder why it matters if you have had a transfusion or not?

Exactly! How can the blood be safe to give to me if it makes my blood not safe for others to receive!

You think thats bad- In Ireland you cannot donate blood if you spent more than 6 months in the UK between 1980 and 1996. If you are guilty then you are banned FOREVER!!!!!

BSE risk that bans most people!

blood

Oh, and then there's my DH.

I finally talked him into donating, after years of persuading. Three times he's made a ppointments and been - three times they've unexpectedly closed the centre in our city, so it's been a wasted journey. Not that it opens at all on a Sunday and only every other Saturday.

Being open might help their blood stocks!!

chunkythighs - that's the same as in NZ... even if you are vegetarian.