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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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

OP posts:

ReallyBadParty · 04/01/2015 18:44

Can't do it either, as received blood after birth of ds ?? Not life threatening problem, but felt awful: better as soon as I got the blood in!

So thanks to all who do ??

WhatsGoingOnEh · 04/01/2015 18:58

I'd love to give blood, to say thank you for the 3 pints I received during DS1's birth, but of course I can't. Because I received them!

Why can't we donate if we've ever had a transfusion? Does anyone know? Thanks

ReallyBadParty · 04/01/2015 19:12

I think it's in case they've diseased us with the blood products..? After the previous hiv transmission, and stuff.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 04/01/2015 19:21

That could be it then Witch - van it is next time!!

UptoapointLordCopper · 04/01/2015 19:33

Our van-at-Tesco has beds while the community centre has those funny chairs. Last time I was at the van I was complimented on my footwear.

I don't get complimented on my footwear very often.

FeckthisFrankie · 04/01/2015 19:49

I'm booked in for my next donation in March, I managed to persuade one friend last year so I'll work on another for this year's resolution

I love doing it, I started after my friend had to have a life saving transfusion after she had her son. Keep up the good work fellow donors and to those who are going to give it a go this year.

Wafflenose · 04/01/2015 20:11

I went at the end of December. It took me years to pluck up the courage in my 20s because I'm scared of needles, and I took a few breaks along the way because of this, and because of two pregnancies. But I'm pleased to say that for the last 3 or 4 years, I've been going 3 times a year. And I'm getting over the fear. I've found that if I can relax, it doesn't hurt!

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 04/01/2015 20:14

I can't because I might have had a transfusion 22 years ago - no-one knows for sure and my notes are long lost. I really do hope they change the rules.

Thanks to all that do - I definitely did have a transfusion as a baby though so wouldnt be here if it wasn't for donors.

ZingTheGreat · 04/01/2015 20:44

bump

Phineyj · 04/01/2015 21:34

I've had donor egg IVF and have been told I can't donate blood. Just Googled it and posted what I found here in case it's relevant to anyone else (as on the actual blood donor site it comes up 'ring us for more info' on all the relevant categories). Shame as I was turned away as a donor several times in my 20s due to regular nose bleeds but would be happy & willing to do it now! Sounds like it could possibly be re-evaluated in future though.

Update July 2012

Blood donation and recipients of donor eggs/embryos

More recently, the Blood Transfusion Service have stopped women who have received donor eggs or embryos from donating blood themselves. This is because a woman who died from vCJD in another country was found to have the prions in her ovaries. This does not mean, however, that there is any evidence that prions can be transmitted in eggs and does not suggest any risk whatever of receiving donated eggs or embryos, particularly as donors are young, fit and healthy and carefully screened. The British Fertility Society would like to reassure anyone who has received donor eggs or embryos that there is no known risk of infection with prions and we believe the action of the Blood Transfusion Service to be an over-reaction based on no evidence of risk.

Firedemon · 04/01/2015 21:56

I tried to give blood a couple of years ago but they wouldn't take any!
If I remember correctly the nurse said that there was a risk if hematoma if they took blood and that often the veins widen up after pregnancy so I should try again then (still currently childless ).
If this common? Should I try again? They had three different people look at my arm and no one felt confident enough to do it

Original poster

NorksAreMessy · 04/01/2015 22:00

baskingseals I have had a good wander around and can't find ANY official info about vaping and blood donation.
Some sites suggest that you might get a sicky 'nicotine high' after donating, but it seems to be very under-researched area.

As with All of these questions, if in doubt, please contact the blood bods on www.blood.co.uk or 0300 123 23 23

OP posts:

crazykat · 04/01/2015 22:06

I'm waiting for a donation session that I can get to. There are none within 10 miles of where I live that aren't at school pick up time and I don't have anyone who can get the dcs for me. I live in a fairly big city with a college and uni so no idea why there are none scheduled for here.

I'll keep trying though as my mam needed a lot of transfusions due to cancer and they gave her extra time with us which ment so much to us. Thankyou to everyone who donates and possibly helped my mam.

AuntieMaggie · 04/01/2015 22:21

They now write to you and tell you what your blood was used for! is this true? its lovely if so. I can't donate as I needed 4 transfusions after having ds but have been encouraging others to do so as I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't understand how much blood people need during things like cancer treatment until recently.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 04/01/2015 23:22

I gave my first donation a couple of days ago. Despite having rung to check when I first registered two years ago (about a week before I got pregnant), spoken to my GP etc they got really funny after I had donated because I have a very mild, congenital immune deficiency (actually depending who you talk to I'm not deficient at all). I've been totally fine for almost 20 years, normal blood counts etc but not sure if I can/should donate again.

I have a feeling they won't use my donation now either. I'm O neg too.

Vagndidit · 04/01/2015 23:31

Was hoping to make it 3 times, but I managed 2 donations in 2014. Was up and ready to donate a few days before Christmas and had to do the "walk of shame" b/c my iron levels were too low. I'm a big girl who likes meat. WTAF!?!?

I've already booked to try again in March, so we'll see how it goes.

I'm one of those weirdos who loves going to the donor sessions. Am a bit sad for a chat and a cuppa with the attendees at the recovery table.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 05/01/2015 07:05

Regular here, and in happy news, next time I go, DD who is now 17 is coming too. Huzzah!!

LostMyBaubles · 05/01/2015 07:15

Another posting to say thank you all who have donated
After having ds1 I had a massive pph and needed 2 units of blood.
After ds2 I had an even bigger pph ans needed 2 units of blood
after ds3 I thankfully didn't need any was borderline.

If it wasnt for the blood I received my disabled son (ds1) and my other dc would be left without a mummy. Thank you

lemontwist · 05/01/2015 08:43

I donated for the 9th time last week and also signed up for the bone marrow register. Its a shame but they seem to have cut a lot of the sessions round here and so now its incredibly hard to get an appointment. I had to cancel my last one because I was ill and couldn't get another appointment for nearly 3 months. The only reason I've managed to go regularly lately is because I'm O neg and they always seem to be short so will squeeze me in if they can.
My mission for this year is to persuade DH to join in the fun

lemontwist · 05/01/2015 09:28

Just signed up for the delete blood cancer pack too. Go Me (and all you other lovely people)!!!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 05/01/2015 10:20

That photo of Joe Trazzles makes my heart sing, in fact all these inspirational stories do.

And I've just ordered my Delete Blood Cancer pack too. :)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 05/01/2015 10:21

Omigod! That rhymes!!

Clearly I have a calling to be a Poet, I didn't know it!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 05/01/2015 10:22

crazykat · 05/01/2015 10:23

I have that problem too lemon, there aren't and sessions that are close enough for me to get to by bus and still be able to pick my dcs up from school. There are no weekend/bank holiday sessions either. I'll keep trying though.

Letsgoforawalk · 05/01/2015 12:11

apatite made a good point earlier about being on bone marrow register. It is worth repeating...

If you or any of your lovely friends or family is mixed race or from an ethnic minority it is really brilliant if you / they join the bone marrow register as these populations are woefully underrepresented on the registers and unfortunately much less likely to find a perfect match than people of Caucasian type genetic makeup.

Particularly encourage non mums and men, they are generally 'preferred' as donors as they have not developed as many antibodies as people who have had pregnancies have.
Brilliant idea to promote this on here, well done to all you donors out there!

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