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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask you all to please go and give blood.

117 replies

LoveAndOtherIndoorSports · 06/07/2012 08:18

if you can.

Some of us might be too old, fat and knackered to be registered to donate bone marrow but people undergoing cancer treatments also need an awful lot of blood.

So if you can, please have a look at blood.org and give blood.

It. Is something so easy snd simple that most of us can do to help.

Thanks.

OP posts:

SpanglyGiraffe · 06/07/2012 22:23

I went to do it for the first time a couple of weeks ago & was told I couldn't because I'd had a bloody cold sore appear that morning I was so disappointed, but definitely will be doing it next time they come locally!

EdithWeston · 06/07/2012 22:25

sheeplikessleep I think it can be a one off. I've given blood lots of times and just once I fainted. No apparent reason and definitely a one off. So yes, I'd say feeling weird can be random. Maybe with one more go?

Also, the Service is very happy to answer enquiries, so if you'e concerned, you could also try discussing what happened to you with them, and they may be able to shed some light.

MetalliMa · 06/07/2012 22:25

I can't due to recent dental work, but would if I could,
it is easy, painless and gives you a very good feeling.

UnnamedFemaleProtagonist · 06/07/2012 22:26

I've been on the bone marrow register since Aillidh's diagnosis but sadly can't give blood due to a transfusion. I have registered us all as organ donors too.

EugenesAxe · 06/07/2012 22:29

Back on the wagon after seven years! Next donation due Oct; was worried would be too anaemic but iron pills worked their magic. Will keep up with them though just in case...

Good post :)

dreamalittle · 06/07/2012 22:32

Thanks for the prompt - I used to go regularly, but obv had to stop when I was pregnant and never got back into the habit. I hadn't realised that the rules had been changed about when you can donate after giving birth (in fact, I thought you had to wait a year). Still a little while to wait as DD2 is only 3 months old, but I shall get myself booked in for sometime in October.

ClimbingPenguin · 06/07/2012 22:36

I got all excited when a poster said that they gave blood when bf, but turns out I don't weigh enough atm

notasausage · 06/07/2012 22:36

Blood donation saved my life after DD1 when I had a massive pph. Not allowed to donate now but have nagged DH to repay my debt to society - he now does platelets. Please go if you can and check if you're not sure whether they'll take you.

windywendy · 06/07/2012 22:38

Thank you to all of you who donate blood and platelets. My DS who is 3 was diagnosed with leukaemia in January this year and has had 7 blood and 8 platelet transfusions so far - so he has had his life saved 15 times already thanks to the generosity of strangers. I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am.

I gave blood for the first time last month and it was an absolute doddle. I took my son with me so he could see what I was doing and we did a little thank you speech to the people waiting :)

Preggersntired · 06/07/2012 22:43

Only donated once, prior to pregnancy, but I met some lovely friendly people & felt on a high all day afterwards. It was v easy,

WorraLiberty · 06/07/2012 22:46

I gave last month

They detected an abnormality

There was blood in my alcohol levels

Seriously though, we should all give blood if we can. I'm sure we'd be quick enough to accept it if we needed it.

HoneyDragonWearingLederhosen · 06/07/2012 22:49

It's not at all about being noble. Its about getting orange squash and crisps.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 06/07/2012 23:08

Its the only time I ever drink lemon squash - its my secret donation treat (Lemon squash and a pack of custard creams)

musicmadness · 06/07/2012 23:32

Quick question - if they had trouble getting blood out of you for a blood test is that likely to be a one off or not?
Never been out of the at risk period (piercings) before since becoming an adult but will be next month so I'm considering donating. When I had to have a blood test before though they had real trouble getting the needle into my arm properly (5 tries on both arms - ouch!), and almost sent me to the hospital to have it taken out of my hand. Don't think I'll be a good candidate if that is likely to be repeated!

blondieminx · 06/07/2012 23:33

Like sheeplikessleep I had a bad reaction, fainted 4 times after and rang the helpline - they said the idea is not to make donors ill and sent me a letter saying not to donate again. When I had DD I didn't cope well with the blood loss either . The doc thinks its down to low BMI and low blood pressure.

Several friends have needed blood post-childbirth or after operations, and I really wish I could donate. I'm on the organ donation register though.

Huge thanks and lots of lovely to those who can and do donate

nokidshere · 06/07/2012 23:41

I want to donate but cannot. The reasons when I was younger were because I was on fertility treatment or that I had psoriasis. Now I cant give blood because I had a tansfusion after the birth of my baby....

whats that all about? they gave me blood but now I cant donate it because it might be contaminated in some way???? Hmmmmmm not a very good selling point eh......

Sunnydelight · 06/07/2012 23:46

They won't take my blood here (Oz) as I lived in the UK during the "mad cow" years. Apparently we can't be organ doners either even though they are desperately short I've always given blood, I hate not being able to.

LottoQueen · 06/07/2012 23:47

Platelet Donation is just as important. I donate 12 times a year (more if I can manage it), but you can donate platelets every three weeks as your body replenishes very quickly.

Platelets have a very short lifespan and are used for many things.

Next time you go to donate blood please ask about it.

HoneyDragonWearingLederhosen · 06/07/2012 23:56

musicmadness they'll check to see if you have a good vein. I always used to be a bit dicy, but have it sorted now.

Drink lots of fluids through the day and particularly whilst your there. That helps your veins

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 07/07/2012 00:07

musicmadness - I have slightly tricky veins and one of the more experienced staff has to do the needle I suspect with their fingers crossed.

They do check carefully and they are very very used to looking for veins.

To put it in context I have had missed veins at quite a few blood tests and have had to have blood taken out of a vein in my wrist when I was pregnant but have managed to successfully give blood more than 20 times.

VolAuVent · 07/07/2012 00:10

Thank you to those who do.

They don't want mine and wouldn't give a reason

donnie · 07/07/2012 07:57

musicmadness I would reiterate what others have said - I also have tricky veins and when I first tried to give blood many years ago it was a total disaster, but when I re-enlisted a year ago I explained to the nurses what had happened and they assigned one of the more experienced staff to deal with my naughty veins! Also they do urge you to drink A LOT in the build up, as much cold fluid as possible because it plumps up the veins and also slightly increases bloodpressure which is important for me as my bp is low.

Give it a try.

AltruisticEnigma · 08/07/2012 18:45

I am giving blood on Tuesday. :) All set up and ready to go, for my very first time.

How long do they keep you in after you have had your blood taken out, does anyone know?

Everyone else if you can, do donate... You could help save someones life!

AltruisticEnigma · 08/07/2012 18:48

Blondie have you thought about donating platelets? That might be a bit easier. They use a machine to pull the platelets out of your blood and then put the remainder of the blood back into your system. Much less likely to make you ill.

Also stem cells and bone marrow are others that you can donate.

SerialKipper · 08/07/2012 18:55

If you're one of the many, many people inspired by Aillidh, would you like to sign in on this thread, so her family can see a little of what their wonderful wee girl has done?

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