Blood donation

[ImperialPleather]

I’m so fed up of being told to donate blood? It’s happened 3 times in the past week I’ve been shamed for not giving blood.

I have no good reason to not give it other than I don’t want to but given I have bodily autonamy AIBU to think it’s no ones damn business?

It’s amazing some people give so well done to those who do!

Perhaps one day you or a loved one will have their life saved with a strangers blood and then you’ll see the point of it.

Does having a little rant here help at all?

Seriously though, they have really good biscuits.

I think if you’d accept a blood transfusion you should give blood.

I find it frustrating that giving blood is so hard. It's like they don't want people to donate.

Told? Or suggested? I used to give 3x a year until I fainted on two occasions and they told me not to come back. I hate this. I'd take blood if needed so feel I should give when I can, but they've said I can't anymore. You can ignore the asks all you want, but just consider (if you will) how you'd feel if everyone felt like you and then you or a loved one needed blood and there was none.

Ps- they give amazing biscuits after you donate!

AnathemaPulsifer surely that’s a bit simplistic? Not everyone is able to for health reasons and some people are very needle phobic. It shouldn’t be like for like. I give blood because I want to, not because I expect everyone to do the same.

I’m not saying I don’t see the point but we all have a choice! It’s one thing to encourage donating but another for shaming if you don’t.
I’m an organ donor but if someone wasn’t, I wouldn’t have a go at them!

I don’t give blood. My medical record would ok me to go ahead but I have some sort of undiagnosed illness that the consultants are mystified by, so have heen discharged with “no diagnosis nothing wrong”. I couldn’t take the risk of passing “it” on to anyone else as it’s awful. I do get shamed occasionally as I have the most sought after blood group, but I’d feel too guilty as my symptoms make me feel so ill sometimes. I suspect someone having a blood transfusion probably has enough to deal with without a new problem on top.

Is it the same person asking each time or just general reminders?

I'd love to give blood again. Sadly most other countries, including the one where we live, won't accept British blood

Can't donate my organs here either.

Who's having a go at you over it? I'm not allowed as my blood is unwelcome which is a shame as I'd like to. But I agree it's up to you if you don't want to.

I’m glad the donor system is changing to opt out rather than opt in. That’s another one where people are too selfish to donate but would happily take from others.

I recently saw an appeal for blood needed from men...so many replies from gay guys saying they’d really love to, but were excluded from doing so because they’d recently had sex...with their partner...in a monogamous relationship.

There are givers and there are takers in life, but no one is forced to give blood, it’s still a choice. No one is told they have to.

Sadly there is increased pressure to get people to donate because there simply isn't enough blood so people are waiting for surgery/treatment and lives are at risk.

I don't think anyone gets any joy out of begging people to help. it's just the situation is dire.

But why wouldn’t you though? If you don’t have time or you don’t like the feeling or something then fair enough but not donating because bodily autonomy is a bit silly.

I have never heard of someone ‘having a go’ at another person for not wanting to donate blood or organs. I have my opinions about people who can but don’t but I certainly wouldn’t give them grief about it.

3 times in a week seems a bit excessive. But I think people should do it, if they can. I can't donate for a year due to low iron levels. I've encouraged people to come with me, and asked friends to think about it, especially now that I can't go.

I think the restrictions on donation for gay men is terribly outdated.

I think it's blood week/month at the moment which is possibly why you have been hearing it a lot.

It's a very important thing and I love the fact that people give it for nothing (apart from the excellent biscuits). Blood is vital. It saves lives. More donors are needed, so yes, people should keep asking/suggesting/informing.

Just ignore them if it isn't something you want to do.

I have also signed up to the bone marrow donor lists - that’s another one where they’re desperate for people to sign up as the chance of a good match is so rare they need as many people as possible to join.

I’ve been shamed for not giving blood.
shamed or asked? If you feel ashamed, it's on you.

Why wouldn't you give blood really? Understandable if sessions are not convenient, some of us are at work during working hours, but you can ask for your company to arrange something locally to them.

Just think about huge crash, or a terrorist attack. If giving a bit of blood can help, why wouldn't you? It not like giving an organ or something really invasive.

I donate blood regularly as I'm O- so that is used in emergencies. I also have a friend with a rare blood disorder that requires regular transfusions. That being said I would never shame anyone for not donating! It is a personal choice and I get some people are truly terrified of needles etc

MaximusHeadroom

The restrictions on donation for gay men is terribly outdated
And nonsensical, if the forum I read recently is correct and those same men would be eligible to donate if they identified as female.

Who is shaming you, OP?

I think if you’d accept a blood transfusion you should give blood.

agreed
If you can't for medical reasons - and even being too "slim" when you are a perfectly normal size is a good reason apparently -, even trying to get pregnant, that's fine.

But it's hardly a big effort if you can.

I mean finding a session can be, the actual act of giving blood is nothing.

Who is shaming you? I can’t give blood, it’s not good enough for me without regular help never mind anyone else but no one has ever asked me about it.