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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that 95% of people...

290 replies

PurplePidjin · 08/02/2012 19:14

...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 Grin

www.blood.co.uk

OP posts:
minimisschief · 08/02/2012 19:32

maybe people don't want to give blood. Just like some people dont want to give organs. People have a right not to you know. Shouldn't have need tomake an excuse or be guilted into doing it with comments like it only takes 30 minutes or insert sob story here or if you expect to recieve blood then give it.

MidnightWorry · 08/02/2012 19:32

I wont give blood, i only just weigh enough and am anemic. even if they wanted my blood i would refuse. I am genuinely frightened of needles and alomost paased out last time they took 2 vials.

I am however on the doner list, they can have all they want from me then.

I was considering bone marrow too, but the needles included put me off.

Kayano · 08/02/2012 19:33

Is it a phobia or
A fear then?

ReduceRecycleRegift · 08/02/2012 19:33

I don't believe that stat though, If I just look around at family and friends most would be refused if they turn up.

This is like when people donate to charity then link it to facebook, just get on with it! everyone knows about the need, so do what YOU think is right and don't speculate about other people's motivations

enjoyingscience · 08/02/2012 19:33

I've been told not to go back for at least a year, as I've passed out the last three times I've tried, and it takes me twice as long to produce a pint as it does my DP (we tend to go at the same time). So embarrasing, as I really don't mind the needle!

I will try again next year though, as I'm O- and noone else in my immediate family are eligable (for taking long term meds etc)

inchoccyheaven · 08/02/2012 19:33

DH used to give blood, but they changed it so you had to make an appointment and as he doesn't know what time he will finish work ( lorry driver ) he can't do that.

I'm not allowed to give blood because of medication.

Sparklingbrook · 08/02/2012 19:35

So people that don't give blood even though they could shouldn't receive any blood mini? Confused

Original poster
PurplePidjin · 08/02/2012 19:35

Kayano, I hope I excluded you from the reminder in my OP?

Should I ask for the thread to be deleted do I can work on my wording? I was hoping for something to pass the time while I'm snuggled on my sofa should have had more lunch but don't want a bunfight mmmmm chocolate eclair

OP posts:
ReduceRecycleRegift · 08/02/2012 19:35

even if I look round my antenatal group, about a third of us had blood or similar. I don't buy the 5% thing

ohdarcy · 08/02/2012 19:35

when i was a student i was quite keen to do this. only did a few times, another few times i was rejected as having borderline anaemia and other times i was about to and then realised i couldn´t because i´d had a piercing/tattoo and had to wait. I think a lot of the rejections happened in a row and so I just kind of got put off even bothering.

it has been more on my mind recently though and will be making a concerted effort to get back on the wagon bus.

Sparklingbrook · 08/02/2012 19:36

AIBU always ends in a bunfight Purple. MN may as well rename it 'Come and Flame me'.

Kayano · 08/02/2012 19:37

No it was sparkling's 'needle phobic people' followed by a Angry face that I took issue with.

As if you would make
It up or can help it. Clearly needle phobic people need a Angry face

IneedAbetterNicknameIn2012 · 08/02/2012 19:37

I give blood. I hate needles. Not enough to not want to potentially save someones life though!
My friend would have died giving birth to her 4th DC, if it were not for the blood transfusions she had. It was then that I realised my mild fear HAD to be overcome!
Mind you I did nearly pass out last time I donated!

ReduceRecycleRegift · 08/02/2012 19:37

maybe its 5% of the people who turn up?

a lot of people who can't know they can't so don't bother them

malinkey · 08/02/2012 19:38

Oh, I've just found out I can't give blood because I've previously had a transfusion - I didn't know that.

pranma · 08/02/2012 19:38

I'd have loved to give blood as I have Rhneg blood which could be useful but not allowed now because of chemo but before that I wasn't allowed because I had given birth and not had a gamma globulin jab so my blood could be a risk to pregnent women.

pranma · 08/02/2012 19:38

pregnant of course :)

Chandon · 08/02/2012 19:39

I have low blood pressure, and have had hepatitis b, otherwise I would do it as I have a rare blood group.

They do not accept everyone, OP Hmm

Sparklingbrook · 08/02/2012 19:39

Sorry Kayano. Half my family claim to be needle phobic but they aren't at all, they just don't like needles much.Dentist phobic too apparently. Hmm

MrsHoarder · 08/02/2012 19:39

minimisschief I am of the mindset that if you would accept something that others have voluntarily given then you should seriously consider giving it yourself. I know that if I (or someone I love) was to be in an accident or seriously ill I would be desperate for that blood and you can't donate after recieving a donation.

I am not donating blood atm due to pregnancy but all being well will continue to do so once baby is here. I don't like needles, and have trouble staying calm for short blood tests, but feel that giving blood is one of the most civilised and alturistic acts we can do.

I also would never confront someone IRL to find out why they don't give blood and discuss it only with those who engage.

minimisschief · 08/02/2012 19:40

sparkling i meant that people shouldnt use guilt tripping to make people give blood.

Adverts saying stuff like you would expect to recieve blood. So why arent you giving it.

People shouldnt be seen as the devil spawn if they do not want to give blood.

PetiteRaleuse · 08/02/2012 19:40

I understand people not wanting to give blood. but when you really need it you're unlikely to refuse - like with organs... So not wanting to give blood isn't a great excuse IMHO

happydotcom · 08/02/2012 19:40

I'm a blood donor :o

Original poster
PurplePidjin · 08/02/2012 19:41

Mini, it's just such a high statistic, even allowing for the religious reasons, phobias and other valid but not medical reasons people have. And there are loads.

I'm very lucky, my nearest is just up the road and there are others in convenient places near by if I can't make that one. So, geography is, to my mind, a valid reason not to. I wouldn't feel up to driving immediately afterwards!

OP posts:
minimisschief · 08/02/2012 19:41

and thats fine mrshoarder. But not everyone will think that way. Doesn't make them bad people.

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