to ask you to do a little something for me?

[MOIST]

I'm supposed to go and give blood today but I'm ill so can't.

So if someone would do it instead of me I wouldn't feel so bad.

They have really good snacks these days. Alpen bars, cheesy tuc biscuits and mint clubs.

I would, but in our neck of the woods they make it so darn HARD. Booking an appt (weeks/months in advance) is a PITA and the last session I went to, none of the necessary gear had arrived so we couldn't donate!

I'm bumping

I can't as I did too recently. I am booked in again though

Hope you feel better soon

D1 said she'd go. I'm intrigued to know what blood group she is.

Aww for your DD and for you too!

The system is impossible! I try to book online, then get an email saying I can't have any of my requested time slots. Then 2 months later they write to me asking me to book on this same day

My conclusion? It's impossible. I've been trying to give blood for a couple of years, but the service itself has prevented me from doing so.

Yes,it's true if you have previously had a transfusion( think it's since 1980) you can't donate.
No, there is currently no blood test for diagnosis of vCJD, CJD and the prions associated with them but research is being carried out into it.

www.blood.co.uk/can-i-give-blood/who-cant-give-blood/

I thank everyone who does donate-you were there for me when I needed it. Big hugs to you all

I've read the link and I had meningococcal at 7/8 and I weigh just under the weight suggested but it says if you are under 20. I'm 23.

Anyone know if the above matters? I

I'd go but they don't want my blood, 50+ units transfused after birth of DC. Always grateful to those wonderful people who saved my life. If they ever change the rules I'll be first in line to donate.

hm. looking at that blood volume thing she's only just big enough. still keen though. so i'm making her drink and feeding her.

Good reminder!

I'm due, so will get on with it now that half term's over.

I can't due to a tattoo earlier in the year. I'm not sure I'll be allowed to donate any more though due to being on long term medication.

I thought you only had to wait 3 months after a tattoo or piercing?

Did mine last month and already booked for after Christmas, sorry.

I find it straight forward, I registered, booked and now book my next appointment at the end of each session.

Then if anything comes up nearer the time I change it.

12 months

I can't give blood due to long term medication. But thank you to everyone who does, you never know who/when it might be needed!

Elle- I know what you mean about making it hard. MIL gave blood regularly, she had an appointment and waited over an hour after the time. People who just turned up on the day were getting seen to before her. Then they did some test with a pin prick of blood (for anaemia?) and told her she couldn't actually donate that day! As she said, couldn't they have quickly screened her first, instead of making her wait an hour to be turned away?

Can't at the moment as I'm full of baby, but my brother is going next week and I'll be figuring out where my local donation place is once baby is here and we're settled.

I've just rung up to cancel my next appointment as I'm pregnant. But I'll be back in December next year.

Those of you struggling with booking, have you tried ringing them? I've always found them very helpful on the phone: 0300 123 23 23

I know your medication may prevent you Kinky, but it may be worth others checking,I've just checked on my last form thing and it says you can't donate if you've had a piercing or tattoo in the last four months. It rang a bell as I had to call and check over my last piercing if I was clear to donate.

All done. Poor DD was all grossed out by the tubes and bags of blood and came over white and fainty.

Me being the caring sort told her to pull herself together and laughed a lot bit.

She's now on the sofa with a cup of tea milking it. She's keen to do it next time though.

Sorry Honey should have said, I'm in Scotland. Our rules here are 12 months after tattoos and piercings. They obviously think we're all hep-ridden manks here

Well done to your DD MOIST She did a great thing

How soon can you do it after giving birth, or doesn't it matter?

I remember thinking about it while pregnant (a couple of months ago) and couldn't so made my DH go instead

Well done MOIST's DD!
I would have done it but I'm not allowed to. I had a transfusion following a crash c-section. Thank you to those of you that do donate

6 months after birth curious. If you are already a doner you can call them and they'll mark your account to remind you at the right tome.