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

It really is very easy, (if you are allowed)i'm not a huge fan of seeing blood and as long as I dont look all is fine. A nice lie down, a biscuit afterwards and knowing you are doing something that hugely benefits others, especially with my rareish blood type, Must get dh to do it as well

So many wonderful people on this thread!

I went on Monday on a whim - I happened to see a poster saying they were in town on a day that I wouldn't usually be able to go.

It was nearly 2 years since I'd been able to donate (wonky thyroid, fractured wrist) but it was all fine and I'm keen to start going more regularly if I can this year.

I'm on the bone marrow and organ donation registers too.

It's great to see Joe looking so well and grown up Trazzles.

Xx

A brilliant reminder to do this. I used to do it religiously but then got pregnant, had miscarriage, got pregnant again, had an ectopic pregnancy, got pregnant again.... Had a baby :-)

He's four months now... Does anyone know how soon after birth you can donate?

I am prouder than a proud thing in Proud Town during a pride march :)

Started in Uni and donated for years til pregnancies/feeding/miscarriages . Then latterly various health issues .

Have been twice now and due again in Jan. It's all so posh now....I remember camp beds , tea and biccies . Now its those fancy tilting chairs, tea and packets of crisps (which I love but never eat) and Club biscuits, Penguins.
Prompted to start again by the numerous blood transfusions given to a friend (who sadly died of cancer aged 53) and my midwife daughter who tells me hospitals really ,really need it

Pingpongbat-I always eat lots of biscuits too . I like to think the big companies maybe donate them ?

As you should be, Norks. The difference you make is massive - thank you.

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I would love to be able to donate - perfectly healthy, excellent iron levels - and I'm on the "not allowed" list because I lived in the UK in the 80s and may be carrying vCJD. I'm also banned from bone marrow donations as they automatically exclude anyone who can't give blood :(

however, adding to the thread in the hope that it'll bump it for someone who can donate to read!

Good morning my bloody lovelies.
Thank you for making appointments, signing registers for bone marrow and organ donation, thank you for sharing your stories and photos and thank you for raising awareness.

If you can't donate, and I do know that there are LOTS of reasons why people can't, can you possibly nag nominate a proxy to donate on your behalf?

And if you can't do that, raising awareness and getting some of these stories out there might just inspire someone else to do something amazing.

Joe Trazzletoes inspired me to start this little annual campaign. Now he IS amazing

I've donated a few times in the last year or two. I had a yellow fever jab last summer, so have had to delay my next session by a few months because of that.

It's also quite a good excuse for a lie down in the middle of the day!

I vape, but don't smoke, can I still donate?

I have quite a lump in my throat reading this thread. It's lovely. Those pics of MNetters beautiful dc who wouldn't be here without a blood donation.

I have been every 4 months for the last 2 years. It's hard to fit in when you work full time and have a house and family to sort out, BUT it is so worth it. It hardly hurts at all (and apparently I "flow slowly"). The best part is being forced to sit still and read my kindle for half an hour!

Last time I went I bumped into an ex-pupil. It was her 17th birthday and she was there giving blood for the first time. I cried . It reminded me how fab teenagers can be. They get a bad press too often in my book.

Great thread

Oooh while we are here please can I sneak in and bump "Delete Blood Cancer". They have a list for stem cell transplants which are slightly different from bone marrow transplants but also important in some Cancer treatments. You contact them and they send you a kit to swab your cheek. The actual harvesting of stem cells is a bit like kidney dialysis but doesn't involve anaesthetics or anything and you only get called up if you're a match. DS had one (though of his own cells) so I've seen the process of harvesting and return and, frankly, if a 3 year old can go through it without fussing, it can't be that hard. Thanks all x

This was one of my NY resolutions last year. I hadn't given blood for years due to pregnancies and subsequent anaemia. But I decided to go along and see if I could give again now (I had been turned away previously as I was still anaemic).

I gave my first donation of 2014 on my birthday in March, then gave again in July and November. I plan to give again 3 times in 2015.

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Bumping, I HATE needles but I still go cow the sense of smugness pride afterwards is worth it. I started going when I was 18 cos my cousin and her premature baby would not be here without blood donors. That tiny 29 week bundle got married this year ??

Bumping as well.

I just wanted to applaud the blood people for the new donation chairs, they're wonderful and so comfortable. No more knicker-flashing trying to get up on the tables.

Lying The new style chairs are just high enough that a short-arsed person like me has a little trouble getting on. I end up sliding off at the end

I used to give blood but now receive blood products to alleviate side effects of cancer. DS2 had blood transfusions after he was diagnosed with leukaemia. Only DH now gives blood as DS1 has had malaria. So a big thank you to all of you who give blood. Without you I couldn't live a near normal life with cancer.

toomuch

aaww, congrats on "Bundle" getting married! how lovely to hear "and they lived happily ever after" outcomes!

We haven't got any posh new chairs in Wales!

Much... I'm in Wales. I fair leapt into the new chair when the 'blood van' was at Tesco. I think the 'community centre' places still have beds... hold out for one of the vans, they all have lovely chairs.