AIBU to think that 95% of people...

[PurplePidjin]

...do not have a significant phobia of needles?

So why do only 4 or 5 in 100 of us who are medically capable actually bother to give blood? Where are the rest of them?

It took 30 minutes of my afternoon, and they deliberately stay open late so people can pop in on the way home from work and have an excellent excuse to slob on the sofa for a bit

Oh, and apparently the registers are now cross-referenced do my Anthony Nolan sample is relevant to both

www.blood.co.uk

I can't give blood because of a lack of iron, nothing to do with a needle phobia I'd love to be able to give blood.

MrsDeVere, I can understand why you feel the way you do, but I disagree. I think 'because I don't want to' 'because I can't take time off work to get there when they are open' 'because it hurts and I don't like it' are all perfectly valid, and good enough reasons.

And in these discussions I always like to mention James Harrison, a blood donor from Australia who is a real life super hero (in my eyes and many others).

When he was a young teen he needed a blood transfusion and when he was older he decided that the only way he could repay the donors who saved his life was to donate blood himself. After a couple of donations doctors realised his blood was very rare and very special. They had his life insured for $1 million. He's been donating blood for over 56 years now.

He has donated more than 1000 pints of his blood, which contains a very rare antibody that has saved the lives of around 2 MILLION babies.

It was also his blood that helped doctors develop the Anti-D vaccine that hundreds of thousands of women (including his own daughter and me) have been given.

How many more James Harrison's could we find if the people who could give blood, did give blood? What other awful diseases could we find a cure or antidote for if someone like him is out there?

I really believe I owe my sons life to this man.

But it doesnt hurt and you dont have to take time off work.

They should make donation sessions more accessible.

Lots of people have to make an effort to do it. If more people made an effort it could take the burden off those that already do.

Blood doesnt keep for that long, thats why it has to be replenished. Lots of us have to stop giving blood at some point too. I cant give for at least a year. We have to have new donors all the time. Lethargy is catching and if blood donation is not pushed as a civic responsibility we could end up in a worse state than we already are.

Donation is encouraged by reminding people of their responsibilty already. Its nothing new.

I wouldnt berate someone for not giving blood but we all judge.

It is a natural human emotion and has evolved for a reason.

Thinking everyone who can, should, is not the same as thinking all teenage mums are slappers or people who feed their kids MacDonalds are neglectful.

Its more akin to thinking everyone who can suport themselves should support themselves.

And anyone who has ever taken any notice of my posts will know that I am the first to jump on a benefit basher thread. I understand what can means.

Absolutly right I feel strongly about this. Absolutly right I have little regard for someone saying 'but it might hurt'.
I doubt anyone who has spent time on a children's oncology ward would. Those kids have no choice. Daily they have to do things that are horrible and really, really hurt.

They are terrified but they do it anyway.

So if I hear a 20 something strapping bloke making pathetic excuses I will judge and so what?

I have to agree with you MrsDeVere

I would give anything to save my son if he needed me to, blood, organs, whatever, and if I couldn't give it I would take it from someone else without hesitation if it were offered.

If I knew there were people who could help him but just didn't want to because it might hurt for a few seconds or may be uncomfortable for a few minutes, I would judge too.

The sad thing about James Harrison is that he wouldn't be allowed to donate due
To the transfusion rules now

I used to be terribly needle phobic. I'd cry, faint and vomit....and not always in that order! Then, I got diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I got used to weekly blood tests and steroid injections. I even learnt to inject myself with my medication which saves a weekly trip to the nurse. The more I got poked, the more I realised it wasn't that bad.

MrsDeVere I'm sorry, but for you to say it doesn't hurt is just wrong. It does hurt some of us. We are not all blessed in the veins department. Clearly the pain, dizziness and nausea I suffered last time blood was taken from me isn't in the same league as kids with cancer, of course- is anything?- but it still hurt. It hurt my arm when they were fiddling around trying and failing to get enough out, and it hurt my stomach and throat when I was sick afterwards. I don't necessarily disagree with the principle you espouse, but please don't universalise your experience.

Like many here I used to very regularly and then for various reasons stopped, (pregs, young DCs, health etc). Just followed your link though and see that there are sessions near me next week so will go along in half term. Thx,

True, no-one should be forced to, everyone is free to say no - but I also think that you should if you can, otherwise what makes you think you have a right to demand it from others when you want it?

(My uncle used to be on a special "emergency call" list because his blood was a v rare type and when someone needed it he gave it.)

yanbu to think that a lot more people could give blood than do.

I had a super bad experience giving blood one time & can't face it again; I practically go into shock just giving small blood samples (refused blood tests in last 3 pregnancies). What's worse, I'm AB+ which is next to useless anyway. But I move heaven & Earth to support DH donating (O-). Only takes him about 7 minutes to fill a pint, too (more like 1 hour for me).

Isnt that what you are doing flang? Universalising yours? It hurt you so it is a painful experience?

How is that different from me saying it doesnt hurt?

Are you talking about giving blood or having a blood sample taken?

I am sorry it caused you pain but no, an adult suffering discomfort for a minute or two does not compare.

If your veins are that bad you cant give blood anyway so its not an issue is it?

I completely agree, everyone that can, really should, and MrsDeVere is right, spending time on a children's oncology ward really does ram it home in the most brutal way that yes, it hurts a bit to give blood, but how much more would it hurt if that blood wasn't there for those who need it? I can't get anyone onto a ward to see that for themselves, but for anyone that honestly doesn't see why it's not important enough to bear with a bit of pain and can bear to see a tiny glimpse of what approximately 10,000 of our children and teenagers in the UK are living with today - kids who could not survive the chemotherapy they need without that blood, watch this video. My own DD is in it, as are several other utterly fabulous kids I know. Can you really look at their gorgeous little faces and say that people shouldn't feel any moral imperative to help save them, if they truly can?

Most of these kids will grow up and live full lives, thanks to their blood donors. Without their donors, most of them would probably be dead today. I know my DD would be. I give blood, but I'm a different blood group to her, so she couldn't have mine. I couldn't be more grateful to my DD's donors, DD has finished her treatment now and has got a good chance of survival, thanks to them; but ten more kids are diagnosed with cancer every day in this country and somebody needs to be there for them too.

Nope Mrs DV, it isn't universalising, and the reason for that is because I used the phrase 'some of us'. This leaves room for others to have had different experiences. Whether I can give blood or not is irrelevant to the issue of whether it can be said not to hurt. It's painful for some people, and would remain so even if I became a turbo donor tomorrow. Lastly, I'm not sure why you reiterated that taking blood is less painful for me than cancer is for children, I assumed that was common ground?

Aargh, how hard is it to remember to click a check box - once I had a brain I'm sure I did

I reiterated because it is my main point.
So WHAT if if hurts.

Is that clear enough? To be utterly blunt I dont give a flying fuck if it hurts a bit and even if you or anyone else gets a bit of sore throat because they throw up.

I really dont.

Its not enough of an excuse.

I am not ramming the point home to make you feel bad. I am ramming it home because there are very few things that I am more sure about in this world.

WE NEED BLOOD. We dont have enough. People saying 'but it might hurt' is not enough reason not to do it.

Ok? Now you see. This matter a lot to me. Enough for me to come out of my 'so what, who cares what people do' mode and say YES I do care.

Because without blood products given by people who put themselves out, who took time off work, who put up with a bit of discomfort or even pain, my darling daughter would have bled to death in a hosptial ward.

Instead she got to die at home with her mum and dad holding her close. No pain, no panic.

Excuse me if I dont give a shit if someone gets a sore arm from giving blood.

Thanks.

I never used to donate due to a phobia of doctors, but I give regularly now. I am treated very well as a rule. I felt awful the first time though as I didnt rehydrate enough so I can see why it would put people off if they made the same error. My partner is genuinely needle phobic (passes out); it seems quite common. My friend said the other day that she used to give blood when it was convenient but now she works long hours and lives in a rural location.

MrsDV & Flangelina, you're both right, but it can hurt once and then not the next time! I'm now a 'Left Arm Only' donor as they have dreadful trouble finding a useful vein in my right. It can still be a little uncomfortable, and I get the occasional achy arm after. My mum's O- and gave for 35 years so I've been going since I was 18!
I set up a donation session twice a year at my company, it ran for about four years, then the blood service cancelled it due to 'lack of resources'. We usually got 35 out of the 100+ staff to donate each time (max 40 appointments available), after a fair bit of persuasion and biscuit bribery. Most first timers needed to go in with a friend for moral support, they really thought it was a big deal beforehand and were then regular donors after. Some however did have bad experiences, and it depends on the person as to whether they feel they can try again.
I personally feel both blood and organ donation should be an 'opt-out' system, so if you really feel you don't want to or can't donate for any reason then fine opt out, but it should be automatically assumed you can, and workplaces should have to give time off on donation days.
Sorry, long waffle, I really could go on about this for days..... :)

I agree with the above, I go at a work session during work hours which is a big bonus!

You're perfectly entitled to not give a shit, even if you hadn't been through what you did with DD. I might even say the same, if I had a leg to stand on telling people to do something I'll probably never manage myself. Actually I think you're likely to have more success articulating your argument the way you just did, rather than saying it doesn't hurt. People know sharp things usually hurt, but they might still respond to a raw emotional account. It would probably work on me if I had any prospect of being able to fill a syringe.

Agreed MrsDV.

It's like people moaning about how smears are embarrassing and painful: get over it - it could save your life. So what if giving blood hurts a bit or makes you feel a bit sick - it's an amazing amazing gift to give to someone.

I had chemo last year so can no longer donate which I find massively frustrating (ironically (?!) I was diagnosed with cancer the day after I registered for the Anthony Nolan register...). My dad has donated 50-odd times but he's not proud: just sees it as something that's so easy for him but makes such a big difference to others.

Above was to Mrs DV.

Thanks for the tip Wizbng but alas both my arms are shit, the left being only slightly less crappy than the right. It's a shame as I'm B positive which is quite rare, so if they could ever get any out of me it'd probably be worth its weight in gold!

Well I do both. Frequently. I use my DD's experience regularly to remind people to give blood. Twice a year on MNs at least. On her birthday and on her anniversary.

I an still not clear as to whether you have tried to give blood or if you were talking about a blood test.

Common blood types are more in demand because they are more common.

I am horrified by the stats that pidj mentioned at the start of the thread.

Why so few?

I was a regular donator until I had a transfusion with DD3. So now I think I have been lazy and just assumed I can't donate. Does anyone know if there are time limits or if you're safe if you received blood after a certain date?

Perhaps this is something MN could pick up and run with? Promoting awareness of blood transfusions by a brand such as MN could only do good couldn't it?

[questioning face]

I give blood regularly (once they have you they don't like to let you get away!) and love doing it. It hurts a teeny bit but I can go home proud of having REALLY helped someone and got free biscuits.

I love that 95% of people on this thread have missed the point completely and are on explaining (quite justly) why they can't give blood. .. It's not about you lot, leave this thread guilt free and fly my pretties....

Those who are needle phobic, you have my sympathies, it's a tough phobia to have, no doubt. However as real phobics I am sure you agree that 95% of people who say they have needle phobia actually don't and are just being a bit wussy.

Basically unless you have a medical reason not to or a genuine needle phobia I can't see why you wouldn't so basically I agree with OP - get off your arses and give blood - there's tea and biscuits afterwards.

Oh and I am going to ring this time ahead and ask about bone marrow registry - everytime I go I ask to go on the register and every time I get some half arsed excuse about not having the right testing kits available (I donate at a mobile unit) - I'll see if I can't get it sorted this time.

I have no phobia of needles. I gave blood once and they didn't want it - I'm too common apparently (O pos). Maybe I should try again.