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

I used to donate but went once while I was 'under investigation' for various symptoms (joint pains and tiredness being two of the biggies) was tested for lupus, arthritis various other related conditions. All came back negative and the docs said they thought I had a mild ME related condition not really diagnosed. So I was banned from giving blood. In my late 20s early 30s I had a period of being fit and well and tired again, but was told no I couldn't donate. Does anyone know if I will ever be able to donate again?

Currently not as am 33 weeks pregnant and totally exhausted but would like to donate again if I am every allowed to.

I'd never heard of stem cell donation until I came back to retread this thread - so I've registered for the pack. Very close to my heart as mum has myelodysplasia and, although she's too old for a stem cell transplant, I might be able to help someone else

I'm in too

You are bloody wonderful you vipers.
I love you, I really really love you

Norks careful you don't dilute it too much

I've out my name down and have an appointment booked for a few weeks time - I'm hoping the mild dose of citilopram won't be an issue.

My lovely Mum had an op for bowel cancer in October. She received 8 units of blood during her hospital stay and is now doing well. Tomorrow the blood bank is coming to my work and I have made an appointment - I hate needles and am not looking forward to it but it's the least I can do! (Otherwise I'll have to get sponsored for a marathon or something and that's not very likely . . . )

I got my letter last and it will be my first time tomorrow

bump

ping cheers!
bloody what an appropriate name
old you need to change your NN to bravegenerousandwonderful1
douche you wonderful viper..go for it! Have the cheesy biscuits, they are scrummy

zing thanks for the BUMPS, you are truly ZingtheGREAT

Bump

Oooh, v glad I saw this because I thought you couldn't donate within a year of giving birth or while breastfeeding. DS will be 6 months in 4 days time.

bumpity bump

Hey! The ScotBlood website says that you can only donate blood after completing the same number of weeks not-pregnant as you did pregnant - ie, if your baby was born at 40 weeks you have to wait a further 40 weeks. This is to allow your body to replenish its iron levels. Why is it different in Scotland? DS was born at 38 weeks, so 9 months, essentially.

bumping for night crowd

Morning all bump

bump again

Does anyone know why people who have received transfusions are STILL banned from donating?

It is starting to make my blood boil.

Ice

surely you ought to keep your blood temp a healthy level. I doubt cooked blood will be any use

but you are right. as donor blood is so meticulously checked, anyone who received it and is otherwise fit to donate should be able to do so. It's weird they can't. and wrong.
in fact if I had a transfusion during EMCS, I'd be even more motivated to give back. I wonder if people in that situation feel sad they can't (not that they should!!!!!!)

bumping

I do feel very sad about it.

I was absolutely distraught that I couldn't donate breast milk for the same reason. It is totally ridiculous.

All I can think is that they can't be that desperate for blood if they can afford to rule out millions of people entirely spuriously!

I don't know, but I'd guess it was an easy blanket policy after AIDS became well-known
.
but that was decades ago, surely what was relevant 30 years ago,
( when they didn't know who could be infected etc and it was just easier to say no to all who had recieved blood, for whatever reason) is not relevant now, when the blood could be so easily checked.
or is the cost of testing blood of people who had transfusion so huge it outweighs the benefit of including tens of thousands of possible donors?

it cannot be.

Well I have emailed them to find out if the policy is under review...

I have spent a lot of time reducing my fear of needles and medical procedures and could now actual face donating blood!

The reason that people who have received blood since 1980 can't donate is because of the risk of passing on variant CJD not HIV. Blood can't be tested for vCJD.

Indeed - and with a grand total of zero people currently believed to be carrying vCJD one would imagine that the ban could now be lifted.

Having a look at the stats, since the vCJD 'outbreak' 4 people are thought to have been infected with vCJD from blood transfusions. This compares to around 300 that suffered anaphylaxis after a blood transfusion.

In other words even when vCJD was a Big Thing it was still a very minor risk in the list associated with transfusions.

No that apparently no one has it anymore, one would think that risk has further decreased. From the point of view of milk donation it very likely never existed!