Right, you bloody lovely bunch, over here please for Norksy's annual resolution suggestion

[NorksAreMessy]

If you have not made a resolution, may I respectfully suggest that you totter down to the blood bank just ONCE in 2015 and help save someone's life?
It doesn't hurt, they give you biscuits and they have lovely swingy chairs that turn you upside down if you go a bit woozy.
Plus you come out walking about 2feet off the ground because you have done something AMAZING

This is in honour of Joe Trazzletoes who is an inspiration to us all.

Bloody happy new year to you all

arundel

I keep meaning to do that. love recycling, hate waste so being and organ donor is fine with me.
DH & kids know that anyway, but you are right, best to make it official

If it wasn't for people like you I wouldn't be here either after giving birth last year.

Because of that both my girls have a mum.
Thank you

I donated when I was younger, but in later years I started passing out mid-donation and the doc said I mustn't do it any more. I tried twice more and they chucked me off the list! I have a fairly uncommon blood group and was ever so proud of being unusual. However my sis (doctor) pointed out that therefore not many people would want my blood and I'd be more use being a common type or universal! (She's like that, my sis)

I always said that if you expect to be given blood in the future (if you should have a serious accident or op), then you should be prepared to give it too.

Just to reassure anyone, it honestly doesn't hurt one bit. I passed out because I have a heart condition and it was just becoming apparent.

Oh bugger, I forgot my tattoo! Does anyone know how long I have to leave it (aware I could google this)?

I donated back in October for the first time since 2007 . I'm hoping to go every three months from now on so I'm going again once DC are back at school.

Tattooed lovelies just have to wait four months before they can submit to another needle :)

ohfrab if you are a ladyfrab, I think it is recommended that you wait four months between donations. The male frabs can tootle along every three months :)

Oh OK. That's a shame as it was going to fit perfectly with a couple of DC free days before uni started again. Thanks though, it would have been a shame to get there and be turned away.

I've just booked an appointment . It's something I've never done before, but have been meaning to do for ages so this thread has pushed me into action .

Actually, I had a steroid injection in my shoulder a few weeks ago, do I have to wait 4 months after that?

I booked an appointment just before Christmas, something I've wanted to do for a long time

Ah, superb. I'll trot along ASAP.
I'm sure it used to be longer.

Hmm, for steroid injections, the blood bods would like to interrogate you further

0300 123 23 23

And they will sort you right out.
You might be able to donate before the four months is up as well...worth a question?

YAY. tkband you bloody lovely woman!

ninetynine thank you for sharing your story

Unfortunately, I can't donate blood (anaemic). But I'm on the stem cell/bone marrow donor register.

www.anthonynolan.org/ if you're aged between 16 and 30 and in good health, please join.

My life was saved by a huge blood transfusion during and after birth of DD1. I was a regular blood donor before but have not been able to since. However this year DD1 turned old enough to donate and went off to return the favour as she said that she felt she owed it to someone, somewhere . . .

I've just joined the bone marrow register, people from my ethnic group are woefully underrepresented.

Thanks Norks, I'll give them a ring.

Yay, looks like I can donate then. My appointment is on the 11th so hopefully I get the all clear and they can get plenty of blood out. I am on the donor register, as is DH.

In tears here. Not given blood for a while due to ill health, surgeries etc and also recently loads of steroid injections under GA etc. checked thru the link etc etc and picked up my form I received in the post to make sure I ring and make my appointment (have received letter just last week)
However. I have recently discovered my DH was sexually abused into teen hood so now I can't answer the "have you had sex with a man who has ever had anal or oral sex with another man since your last donation"
I can't, just can't tick no and lie and I just cannot tick yes, I just can't, it's all very raw.
Wtf does everybody else do? Lie ? Tell strangers their dh deepest darkest most horrifying secret that they've just disclosed after 30 odd years?
Seriously op, what do I do?

Shockedhowunshockediam Not everyone has to donate blood. You can help people in other ways. There's all sorts of charities out there that help people out. DV shelters, food banks, coat drives, locks of love, etc...

I don't do blood donations just because it's not my thing. But I am on the organ donor list and make a monetary donation to different charities when I have the spare money. I used to do some volunteer work, but then I got pregnant and haven't had the spare time.

Blood donation isn't the be all end all, lots of people need help in different ways.

Thanks I've calmed down a bit now, wine helps ...
just a real punch in the throat kind of feeling. I've been having counselling myself as realised how I've been sexually exposed to many many men and boys . The guy is dead and did go to prison for paedophile crimes and was an active homosexual. Just kinda hit me very hard then what i could have faced. Aids etc sorry to derail
but what do others do?

I thought my dh couldn't donate because he's back and forth to Abidjan and has had malaria dozens of times when young. But I see you just have to wait 3 months after contact with the skeeters and then you can. He's a bit younger than me so perhaps he can still donate a few times.

I didn't know you can't donate after you've had a blood transfusion! That makes me sad, I used to donate regularly because I'm the universal donor type.
I hope they change their policy, I would like to give back. Transfusion saved my life in September.