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Original poster

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

323 replies

NorksAreMessy · 31/12/2014 22:07

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 Thanks

OP posts:
Cockadoodledooo · 02/01/2015 10:45

I can't Sad Not at the moment anyway. Makes me sad because I'd love to and have my silver award but am still under investigation for complications following meningitis so they don't want me. Am on the organ donor register though (but not sure if they'd want me atm either!).

BeyondDoesBootcamp · 02/01/2015 10:54

I cant do it myself, but bumping the thread for you

Sharing this link too... www.anthonynolan.org :)

cricketpitch · 02/01/2015 11:17

Second the organ donor register.

My dad died and not much of him was of any use for various reasons except his corneas. I remember being so happy within my distress that they could use his corneas to help someone else. Coincidently my BiL's uncle was losing his sight and had been on the waiting list for ages. He had his transplant at about the same time as my Dad died. (I know it wasn't the same corneas of course but it made me think).

CokeFan · 02/01/2015 13:01

I've just been to donate since DS is now 7 months. I was lucky to get an appointment because it was quiet over Christmas - they're usually all full. It still took over an hour and a half though.

I get a form through the post then a phone call to ask if I want to make an appointment and then I tell them there aren't any! Apparently you can do a walk in but when I've tried that I got turned away once and a huff the second time.

I do like the biscuits though.

Mammanat222 · 02/01/2015 13:16

Quick question.

Can you be too overweight to give blood?

I have just entered my height (5ft 1in) and the weight chart only goes up to 10st 1lb for that height?

I am currently pregnant so can't anyway but my pre-pregnancy weight was a wee bit higher than 10st 1lb so would this have ruled me out??? BMI was 27 at booking appointment so yes "overweight" but not massively obese??

Just curious!

Pippidoeswhatshewants · 02/01/2015 13:17

Thank you all for donating, my dad wouldn't be here without you Flowers

I can't at the moment, but will hopefully be able to donate again some time in the future.

Mammanat222 · 02/01/2015 13:18

Doh, sorry was entering my info in the wrong place. Ignore me!

OhFrabjousDay · 02/01/2015 13:48

Thought I'd report back after calling them about steroid injections. They said it is fine after 7 days, and seemed more concerned that I was still in pain with the original complaint, which I'm not, and also I'm ok to donate now as it was actually September, not October, when I last donated, so I'll be toddling along next Wednesday :)

givemushypeasachance · 02/01/2015 14:20

My parents can't donate anymore due to medical reasons, but they did when I was growing up so I started as soon as I could at 17. Aside from a couple of low iron count refusals and a spell away for tattoo exclusion periods I've given ever since - think I'm on about donation #28 coming up! Currently on the interval study so I'm giving every 12 weeks rather than 16, and haven't keeled over yet so hopefully that's a good sign for the future of reducing the waiting time between donations.

londonrach · 02/01/2015 14:44

If you on iron tablets prescriped by the doctor can you donate blood?

starfish4 · 02/01/2015 15:14

I can't give blood as I'm the opposite problem and am underweight (I've been the same weight for 30 years so I couldn't increase it easily to help) - I think this is something to do with the volume of blood in a smaller persons system. Shame as I'm AB negative and only 1% of the population have this blood group. Thank you to everyone who does give it, my closest friend needed two blood transfusions after giving birth - although, this probably doesn't happen very often it obviously made her recovery a lot easier.

GlitzAndGigglesx · 02/01/2015 15:40

I would love to but anaemic again :(. Once I've given birth and cured I defo will! My friend donates as often as they allow her it's such a little thing that makes a huge difference

givemushypeasachance · 02/01/2015 15:41

You can ring them to ask to get a definite answer londonrach, but probably not. The couple of times I came up as borderline anemic and was referred to my GP who put me on temporary iron tablets, the blood people wouldn't have me back for six months just in case.

That was pre-mirena coil, when my periods were dire and that's where all my blood was going. Blessedly almost nothing now so all my iron can be saved for donations! Grin

BetweenRockAndAHardPlace · 02/01/2015 15:56

shockedhowunshockediam I know how you feel Flowers
My DP was sexually abused by an adult male when he was little and because of this I apparently can't give blood anymore either. Even though this abuse happened 40 years ago. And some of dp's sexual partners in the past never knew about his abuse (as it's not something you tell everyone immediately into a relationship) so they could all now be giving blood themselves unbeknown to any risk.
Like a PP said, there are other things you can do to help the community in general don't beat yourself up about it Flowers

givemushypeasachance · 02/01/2015 16:05

BetweenRockAndAHardPlace - were you told you can never give blood some time ago or quite recently? Only the rules relating to men who have had sex with other men have changed. Now a man who has sex with another man is only excluded from donating for 12 months, and the same applies to a woman who has sex with a man who has had sex with a man, if you follow. I don't know whether the specific circumstances of with your partner may be different (and horrible for him obviously) but under the 'standard' rules the situation may now be changed for you both. You could ring the NBS for the up to date position just to check.

HumpsLumps · 02/01/2015 16:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BetweenRockAndAHardPlace · 02/01/2015 16:28

givemushypeas it was quite a while ago I was told that.
I found out recently the rules had changed for men, and that it's now 12 months from sex with another man but it didn't actually say anywhere that it's the same for women whose partners have once had sex with a man (albeit against his will) although that'd make sense. I will contact them and check, I'm a rare blood group and otherwise able to donate and would love to again.

givemushypeasachance · 02/01/2015 16:39

Sorry I may not have fully thought that through - yes it would imply you would still need to wait 12 months after having sex with your partner, regardless of when he had sexual contact with a man wouldn't it?

"You should NOT give blood for 12 months after sex with...
A man (if you're a male).
A man who has had sex with another man (if you're a female)."

That does seem a bit stupid if it was one male/male sexual contact 40 years ago, when your partner should be able to donate now as he'd be over 12 months 'clear'. Bizarre but perhaps the Blood Service people could clarify if you speak to them about it.

MrsMarigold · 02/01/2015 16:42

I had a blood transfusion so I can't but if you can do it, please do it it's amazing, all you non UK MNers too.

Theshedofalfredogarcia · 02/01/2015 16:51

Wish I could but we are in France and they don't want our English blood because of "mad cow disease".I have been veggie for 20+years but still no good Sad

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 02/01/2015 17:11

I went last week BUT, for the second time in my life, had to do the 'walk of shame'. They took a sample and I had the letter back today, haemoglobin level of 120 g/l and mean cell hg level of 25.1 pg.

I'm going to ramp up my iron-friendly foods and really sort this out now because I love giving blood, it's an amazing thing to do and doesn't hurt a bit.

See you all in a few months when my blood is less er... feeble. Blush

itsonlysubterfuge · 02/01/2015 17:19

They discriminate against men who have sex with men because they have a higher than normal chance at being HIV positive.

I think it's ridiculous, if you've had the same partner for over 10 years, but had sex with him last night, you are unable to give blood because you are both men.

It makes me almost not want to give blood, however, my appointment is for the 16th of January. My husband is unable to give blood as he goes a very unnatural shade of grey when he gets his blood taken just for a blood test.

LIttleMcF · 02/01/2015 17:20

I would love to but can't - blood transfusions saved my life after a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

i have a rare blood type, which is some ways is apparently good because not as many people need it, but obv wish I could give back.

Big thanks to all who do.

GlitzAndGigglesx · 02/01/2015 17:27

itsonly I thought gay men had to wait a certain time before donating? Or can't they donate at all?

itsonlysubterfuge · 02/01/2015 18:11

glitz from what the website says, it's any men who have had sex with another man in the last 12 months. Perhaps I'm reading/understanding it wrong.