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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that you shouldn't wait until someone you love needs blood, GIVE BLOOD NOW!

57 replies

DingDongMerrilyOutOfSeason · 29/06/2011 15:09

Discounting all the people who cannot give blood for medical reasons and those with severe phobias (and you don't count if you have had blood tests etc and just didn't enjoy them), AIBU to think that if you would want to receive blood and you are in good health and mentally capable, you should give blood?
Let's be honest, how many of you just haven't got round to it but keep meaning to?
I have made it easy for you, sometimes all you need is a shove gentle nudge in the right direction like I did. I am so glad someone shoved nudged me so I am passing it on.
go on, do it!

OP posts:
TheAtomicBum · 29/06/2011 15:14

Personally, I'm giving a YANBU!

I give blood when I can, though I think only about half a dozen times? There's not often one around here.

Anyway, yes, people would have enough to say if you'd been in a horrid accident and as they were rushed to hospital with someone shouting about CC's of O neg, a doctor came out and said, "Sorry, we've run out."

And yet, last time there was a blood giving thingy, out of more than 200 hundred people I worked with, NO ONE ELSE WENT. They all just said they didn't really like needles. Bet they wouldn't mind needles if it was them who'd lost blood!

Awomancalledhorse · 29/06/2011 15:17

YANBU.
I'm trying to nag DH to do it (they've shoved info through our door about a blood drive in a few weeks)! He hasn't given blood for 7 years, I can't give blood.

My best mate is O- and he gives blood as often as he can (me thinks he just dies it for the biscuits!). AtomicBum, shocking that no one else from your work went!!

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 29/06/2011 15:20

Your post grates. I don't like being hectored to do something that you have no idea whether I do or not anyway. I wouldn't be persuade to donate because of your post but you'd get my back up with your self-congratulation and self-righteousness. Sorry but if your purpose was a recruitment drive I think there are better ways.

whackamole · 29/06/2011 15:21

I would love to, am annoyed when I had my twins the doc made me have a transfusion so now I can't donate :( DP keeps on putting it off and putting it off - I have pointed out to him that he's perfectly happy to have a tattoo and let's be honest, giving blood really isn't that painful. (I did pre-DC by the way)

My dad was in the paper he had given so many times

TheAtomicBum · 29/06/2011 15:26

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe - How about the knowledge that giving blood once will save the lives of 6 premature babies? That was enough for me.

thumbwitch · 29/06/2011 15:27

Whackamole, if your DP has had a tattoo he might be refused by the Blood Transfusion Service anyway as too high risk.

ThePrincessRoyalFiggyrolls · 29/06/2011 15:27

You have inspired me, you really have, I just want to make sure that I have a time without the dc! Am looking into it!

Original poster
DingDongMerrilyOutOfSeason · 29/06/2011 15:28

Sorry to have grated Lying This may not work for you but it was someone actually sending me the link, taking all the effort out of it which persuaded me to give blood so although you find it self-righteous, there is always the chance that someone may click on the link and do something they keep meaning to do. I do not nag anyone in RL, it is not my business if you do or do not give blood for whatever reason, I am thinking about the people who would do it if they had all the effort taken away, for example, the link to the site to register Grin

OP posts:
thumbwitch · 29/06/2011 15:29

reasons for not being able to donate

nickelbabe · 29/06/2011 15:32

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe - i think that's unfair actually.
She's not saying "oy you! you don't give blood so do it now!"
she's trying to get to all those who wouldn't think about it.

and it's absollutely no different from the adverts on the radio that say "give blood" - they don't say "this doesn't count if you already do" they just say "give blood"

don't be so tetchy about everything all the time.

nickelbabe · 29/06/2011 15:33

DingDong - i can't give at the moment, because i'm pg, but I was a regular donor before that, and I am behind you all the way. :)

TheAtomicBum · 29/06/2011 15:35

thumbwitch - You just made me worry. I've got a tattoo and I've given blood since having it. A few times.

Itsjustafleshwound · 29/06/2011 15:36

As long as the staff are properly trained - my DH came home from giving blood and had a huge bruise that took absolute ages to clear up because the technician hadn't put the needle in properly...

TheAtomicBum · 29/06/2011 15:37

I can't manage very often these days. They hardley ever have them near here, they just kind of move around. I check now and then, but it's been about 2 years, I think.

nickelbabe · 29/06/2011 15:40

Atomic - it's only for a certain length of time after having the tattoo - it asks you on the form.

nickelbabe · 29/06/2011 15:40

it says 6 months on that form.

bananamonkey · 29/06/2011 15:42

The tattoo restriction is only for 6 months afterwards The AtomicBum, you will have ticked the section in the consent form to this effect.

My brother needed a lot of blood after an operation so I like to do it, plus you get a nice lie down for 20 mins then have a drink and a biscuit and a chat Smile

celebmum · 29/06/2011 15:42

Ive always been a regular blood giver since being abt 18 (eek! just realised that's ages ago!) every few months or so. Unfortunately due to complications when pregnant I can no longer donate ( I had a PE and don't think they'd appreciate my lumpy blood yuk!) Sad

You can donate after tatoos, there's just a waiting period 6/12 months I think?

I am still trying to recruit my hubby to donate in my place Grin

thumbwitch · 29/06/2011 15:45

It's a 6m wait after tattoos - it says so in the last page I linked to. Sorry, TAB, didn't mean to worry you - it should have been picked up by the donor team wherever you donated anyway.

Mumwithadragontattoo · 29/06/2011 15:45

I'm glad you posted this. I am a bronze donor card holder and have been meaning to give blood again as my youngest DC is now old enough for me to donate. I have been procrastinating but clicked on your link and now have an appt for next week.

jenniec79 · 29/06/2011 15:48

I agree entirely, and once I've sat out in the "naughty corner" for time out after a sharps injury at work :( I'll be back at the transfusion service with the rest of you.

In the meantime, I'll have to stick to handing out the juice and biscuits!

donnie · 29/06/2011 15:49

what is the significance of O neg blood? because that is my blood type. I keep meaning to give blood but never get around to it.

thumbwitch · 29/06/2011 15:50

O negative blood = universal donor, because it can be given (technically) to any other blood group. It doesn't always work like that but that's the best you're going to get in a crisis.

TheAtomicBum · 29/06/2011 15:50

I know, everyone, but the mention made me panic and look through the rules.

I'm gonna give them a call and change my details, since they kept sending invites to my old address where I used to go during my college days. I hate having not done it for a while.