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.

My next appointment will be number 40.

DH can't donate but I'm sure dd will when she's old enough, she's seen me do it enough times to know it's not so bad.

I used to. A+ so always welcomed.

Then one poor woman gave me a through and through, blood leaked and her attempt to stop it left the most perfect fingerprints.

That wasn't the problem, though I did dine out on it for a while.

But they took a small sample, tested it and then refused me. I have all sorts of aneamia and a few other blood related bits too!

So, much as I would love to, I no longer can. So kudos to all who do!

I used to give blood until they changed the rules about not giving blood if you have had a transfusion since 1980 due to possible CJD risk.
I really would love to donate as I received quite a lot when I was ill as a child.
I have never been able to get clarification about whether I am still on the bone marrow register or not, or if my organs can be used?
I have emailed blood donor services a few times and never get a proper answer

I would if I could.

Donated blood saved my life. So a massive thanks to those who did or do give blood. I wish I had.

You can still be an organ donor if you have had a blood transfusion. Even though I understand the risks associated with CJD it is such a shame you can't donate blood if you have had a transfusion as I am sure most people who have received blood would love to be able to donate. I will always feel guilty that I only donated one unit years ago, then I needed a transfusion myself so can't give blood. Please if you can it is a very precious gift

This might sound a silly question to those of you that have done this before but…

I am booked in for my first donation in April. I have to drive to my donation centre although it's only a five minute drive. Is there a time restriction on when I can drive home again?

I'm not eligible to donate blood here in Germany for the ground-shattering reason that...

I used to live in the UK.

Yup, that's right, anyone who lived in the UK before 19whatever is banned. We've all got BSE, doncha know. Risk perception is a strange thing.

My Mums life was saved by a whole body transfusion after my Brother was born. My Dad then went on to donate (van came round on a regular basis and the factory owners gave time off) He donated 49 units before a heart attack stopped him. The blood service gave him his honorary gold badge tho. Our whole family donate but I was anaemic for years.

After a cuppa and a biscuit I am feeling normal. About 10-15 minutes and I carry on as normal.

yanbu.
However anyone registering should bear in mind that once they have your details, they will text you, write to you and email you several times a week. Of course it's still worth doing and I do, but nothing makes me feel less like giving blood than being bloody harassed about it.

Thanks for the reminder HadABadDay!

SandStorm you will be fine to drive home after a cuppa, however if it's doable then I'd recommend walking as it raises your heart rate and can help make the donation easier. Good on you anyway :)

I'm not allowed due to being a whore, I mean at risk

Started giving blood after my DS was born. Pregnancy cured my fear of needles and showed me I have a rare blood type (O-neg). Feel bad I didn't start sooner but I will never stop doing it.

I can't walk unfortunately - it's 2 miles down an unpavemented, 60mph road.

It's something I've been meaning to do for years but only just plucked up the courage (if that's the right word) to do it. There's always been one excuse or another but enough is enough!

I can't donate due to receiving a blood transfusion. Huge thanks to those of you who can and do.

I'm b+ so I got the impression my blood isn't in demand anyway. I used to donate, then I couldn't for some time (xh is African) and now I just don't hear about it locally/ got out of the habit. Like I said, I don't feel like my blood is that vital like O neg.

I gave blood last Wednesday; have been doing it for about 10 years now, and will continue for as long as I am able.

That's weird, Guybrush - I get so little communication from them; a call maybe once every other year to check my details, a magazine thing once a year, and the usual pre-donor form a week or so before each donation. Might be worth giving them a call to request less frequent communications...?

I must try and find somewhere to go, I used to then I started to faint afterwards so they politely told me not to come back. My blood pressure is a but higher now so I might be ok. The only problem is it's got to be at least 24 hours before work but I will see if I can find somewhere that will fit in. I am on the organ donor register.
Dh does though and I will try and persuade the DC's. DD will struggle as she faints like me with low BP.

Sand storm you should be absolutely fine to drive, just make sure you eat well before you go and have a small snack and a drink after.
Most people don't feel that different at all after a short rest, I however reacted badly most time I did give blood even after a half hour rest (feeling faint/dizzy etc and wiped out for the rest of the day) so take it easy.
Like I say though you should be fine, I really was in the minority.

The thing is with rare blood types, they are only needed rarely. O- is relatively rare but needed frequently because it's the one anyone can have.

AB- for example is 1% of the uk population so theoretically, only 1% of people who need transfusions will be AB- but they can have O-, A- B- or AB- blood. Of course in an emergency before they were typed, they would be given O- which is why it's so important.

Anyway, blood transfusion save my mother's life, she's an ungrateful thing but I give whenever I can (and am proud of being a universal donor).

I'm donating next week, first time since having my son. I lost a lot of blood during my c section so it makes it somehow seem much more important for me to do it now

Thanks for the reminder.

I have been off their list for years for the same reason as miss marmite. I wonder statistically how many percent of people in the uk are actually eligible? There are a lot of different reasons why people can't, and a big % of people on this thread!

Can I just say ALL BLOOD TYPES ARE NEEDED!!
Being a common blood type only means more people are likely to need your help!

I gave blood this afternoon!! First time, no idea what my blood type is. I registered on New Years Day after seeing a similar thread. Dd is 28 weeks, so first opportunity so far this year. Enjoyed my orange club biscuit

I tried several times but they could never get any due to my rubbish veins. They told me to come back after having a baby but I had a life saving transfusion due to a PPH and so can't donate. Feel sad and guilty that I've never given any and now never can, despite having taken some.