To ask all those who can to donate blood.

[HadABadDay2014]

www.blood.co.uk/index.aspx

Only 4% of adults give blood, which is a shocking number.

I understand not every one can for their own reasons.

Please give of you can.

DS is 15 months and I booked my 3rd appointment since he was born today (think it's my 7th in total?)

I put a post on my facebook asking if someone could take him to the park next door while I did and had 4 replies within a few minutes from people either unable to donate at the moment (pg/breastfeeding) or too far away but wanting to support in some way.

It made me wonder if there is some way to set up a creche facility at some places? There's certainly room at the one I go to at the community centre, and you have to be 6 months post partum to give so it's not like there'd be tiny babies to look after. It would make my donations that bit easier, even if they charge a pound or two to use it. It would only need a couple of gym mats and some plastic toys plus a member of staff or two (volunteer?) to oversee things...

I always feel so ashamed when I see these threads.

I have a severe needle phobia. I have gone with DP but have always chickened out.

I am really hoping to just go and tell them I'm a phobic and just tell them to jab me whilst I'm a crying mess.

I'm too light at the moment (I'm v short). They can't take part of a unit from small people because the bags contain an anticoagulant in the correct quantity for a whole unit of blood (IIRC).

I've just had 19 months if chemo culminating in a bone marrow transplant, never imagined I'd be one needing blood. I've had about 20 units. A unit has to be over a certain volume but can be upto a maximum volume (sorry cant remember figures). Anyway thank you to everyone who donates, I wouldn't be here without you!

I used to donate but due to transfusion am unable too.

I agree, thank you to everyone who has or tries to give blood. I wouldn't be here without you I've had a ridiculous amount of transfusions and appreciated every single one. O/c now I can't donate but would encourage you to if you can.

Please also have a look at the bone marrow register. Often it's just like giving platelets and from experience (of having my own stem cells harvested for myself) I can assure you it's not as scary as it sounds! A couple of days of inconvenience for you can mean years onto someone else's life.

Sorry, I get a little bit evangelical about blood and bone marrow donation!

I'm o neg too, have given in the past and they used to call me back as often as poss, but can't go now.

HadaBadday, O + is fairly common but they need donations of all blood types. They call people who are O neg more frequently because that blood type is the universal donor (i.e. it can be given to anyone with any blood type, and it's the only one that can be used for anyone).

I'm booked in for my 38th donation on Weds, it takes it out of me a bit more than it did when I was younger but am aiming to make it to 50. DH is ineligible so I'm doing it for both of us.

I agree that the booking system / opening hours that clash with school run time / lack of evening and weekend sessions can be frustrating. The appointment system has cut the waiting time considerably though.

I'm O-neg so I really wish I could give blood, unfortunately I've received blood and am almost constantly anaemic so I can't . I'm on the Anthony Nolan register and the organ donor register though!

Can't donate because anaemic but good reminder for others

I have registered and meant to go but the only time they are here is school pick up time. I must not cop out next time and get someone to pick up kids. I'm b neg so I know they really need my blood. Mustn't get any more piercings till I've done it this time

Thankyou for reminding me to book my next appointment

I know many people struggle with giving blood due to fear, and while I don't want people to feel like I am minimising their reasons, I would really suggest giving it a go.

When I went I was in tears I hate blood/needles so much, but the nurses were absolute gems, stayed by my side at all times and made sure I saw no blood whatsoever.

For me, it helps to focus on the fact my blood could be saving another life in a mere matter of days.

I used to go, but could never donate as I was always anaemic. Then when I had Ds, my anaemia was very bad after hemorrhaging and I had to choose between 6 months of pills or a transfusion which would mean instant wellness! I was taking a baby home to an empty house, no support and severe depression, so I chose the transfusion. Might have chosen the pills had I known I'd never be able to give blood again (or even try).

O neg here too, so it makes me doubly sad.

There are lots of reasons why some people are not able to donate blood. Keeping the blood supply as safe as it can be is a priority for the National Blood service. This means for example that if you receive a blood transfusion you are no longer allowed to donate.

Dh does but I can't. I used to. But now ....

Those who are donating help me! I get an infusion of intravenous immunoglobulins every 5 weeks. Without it I'd be unable to work, use my hands, I'd be in a wheelchair, incontinent and totally dependent on carers.

As it is I can walk, climb stairs, look after my dc and various animals, teach 2 days a week and administer and fundraiser voluntarily another day, cook, sew, write, knit for wooly hugs, know when to use the toilet in time.

It's a miracle drug for me. And it's right out of your blood - it needs to be varied so it's a bit from 30 donors in each bottle - and I get 3.5 bottles!

I wish I could give blood, plasma, bone marrow, organs. I'm permanently barred from them all.

But a huge THANKYOU to those who do give!

I work in an office block with hundreds of employees many of whom are fit young men.We are allowed to donate in work time and I am ashamed to see how few people donate but the same people would expect the blood to be available if they or their family needed a transfusion.

Done my 5th donation today :) rewarded my self with a nice bottle of wine

They would have a lot more blood if homosexual males could donate

I had to cancel my appointment for tomorrow (developed a bad cold / chesty cough overnight). The next date they've got an appointment that doesn't clash with the after school period is in June . I will be having a look at other local sessions, but in the past have never found anything even remotely convenient at other places.

Get well soon WhoKnows.

I agree that gay males should be able to give blood, if they want to.

I always used to every time I could. They won't take me anymore,, I struggle with anaemia.

However, if anyone could do it in my honour I'd be grateful, I have got DP to do it but the more the merrier.

I have one of the rarer groups so I was always keen to share it around incase there was a shortage.

Stoopid periods

I already do - and I am now on the marrow register as well

I'd urge everyone who can to do it - it's so easy to do (provided you aren't needle phobic!)

This is a good reminder. I must be due to donate again about now. I've been a donor for 20 years, save for a few years out after foreign travel (malarial area) and for pregnancy. I have a cold just now but I'll go as soon as I'm over it.

I also can't due to having had (treated) Hep C.

Can't give bone marrow either :(