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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To totally and shamelessly hijack......

44 replies

chegirlsgotheartburn · 18/01/2010 21:59

AIBU for my own purposes (mwah ha ha).

Cos its important and AIBU is the most read board on this site.

Wednesday 20th January is my DD's 18th birthday. 18 is when you are old enough to join the bone marrow register (and you can give blood by then too)

My DD died aged 14 after fighting (and thats not just a word) luekemia for nearly two years. So she isnt here to sign up.

She received many blood and platelet transfusions whilst on treatment. They kept her alive and vastly improved her quality of life. Towards the end of her life the platelets enabled her to be at home with me and her dad and brothers. They meant she could die at home in peace and with dignity.

She was waiting for a bone marrow transplant when she died but there was no match. DD was mixed race and this made it much more difficult to find the right donor.

SO - If you have ever thought about giving blood and bone marrow PLEASE take the step this week. You may have grown up children who need a push nudge to do the same.

There is a picture of my beautiful girl on my profile. She was so bloody special and so brave.

Thank you to all who already give. What you do is incredible.

Thanks all for reading.

www.blood.co.uk

www.nhbt.nhs.uk/bonemarrow/

OP posts:
tulpe · 18/01/2010 22:02

Definitely NBU, Chegirl.

So sorry about the loss of your DD. I can't imagine the pain.

I would love to give blood but had a transfusion following birth of DS1 so am not allowed. Do you know if same applies to bonemarrow donation?

JaynieB · 18/01/2010 22:05

So sorry for your loss - I am a donor but haven't been for a while and after reading your post will get on with it and go and give some blood and ask about bone marrow donation.

giraffesCantWalkInSnow · 18/01/2010 22:08

Hiya I actually had a call from blood donor lady tonight, after I enquired about if I could give on meds, shes getting someone to phone back tomorrow. Will have a look at other site too.

Will be thinking of you on Weds x

momofnearly2 · 18/01/2010 22:12

YANBU

My Ds is just over 9 months now and so I am already booked to give blood on the 29th.

I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter.

Original poster
chegirlsgotheartburn · 18/01/2010 22:14

Thanks all.

Not sure about the bone marrow donation if you have had a blood transfusion tulpe. If you follow the link at the bottom of my post you should get more info.

giraffes you can give on some meds (I have) so hopefully you will be able to.

Jaynie thank you. Everso.

OP posts:
Original poster
chegirlsgotheartburn · 18/01/2010 22:16

momof Well done you! Thanks

OP posts:
onefatoneshortonelean · 18/01/2010 22:16

I've just looked on the Anthony Nolan website and you can request a saliva pack to be sent out and return it by post. Its been something that I've been thinking about for ages but never got round to doing because you had to go to a clinic type place miles away on a paticular day. (I am aware this is pathetic). Once ds2 is over 12 months I will def apply. DH is a blood donor and got on the register through that but I can't give blood due to my weight.

Sorry for your loss. DH first started donating after an appeal for ethnic minority donors.

MrsMattie · 18/01/2010 22:20

Can I also plug the ACLT, too.

We need more ethnic minority donors NOW.

I'm so very sorry for your loss, chegirl. x

Original poster
chegirlsgotheartburn · 18/01/2010 22:29

ACLT tried to find a match for my DD. They do amazing work and are only a small organisation.

OP posts:
giraffesCantWalkInSnow · 18/01/2010 22:31

The 2nd link doesn't work, not sure what it should be and don't want to google and post the wrong one.

junglist1 · 18/01/2010 22:32

This is one of those things that was always vaguely in the back of my mind, one of those never get round to it things. Then my youngest had a cancer scare and it was scary, but got me off my butt. I donate blood already, everyone it's well worth it and you get biscuits after!

kormachameleon · 18/01/2010 22:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
chegirlsgotheartburn · 19/01/2010 15:54

Hi. I have a rubbish internet connection at the moment so keep losing mumsnet

giraffe the link was to the nhs bone marrow site (not a very exciting one as it goes!)

I was trying to link whilst my connection kept crashing so I am not supprised it doesnt work. There should be a link from the blood uk website. Or antony nolan trust should be easy to google.

Thanks all x

OP posts:
bluesheep · 19/01/2010 18:23

NBU in the slightest.

I donated regularly up until getting pregnant, and will be again when I'm allowed (think it's when DD2 is 9 months - is this right?)

So sorry about your daughter, will be thinking of you Wednesday.

chaosisawayoflife · 19/01/2010 20:36

YANBU, but I think you know that!
Congratulations on your brave, beautiful daughter and I'm so sorry that she is not here to celebrate her birthday with you. I have just signed up for a pack from the Antony Nolan Trust and booked an appointment to give blood on the 23rd Feb as I have lapsed in my donations since falling pregnant with DD.
I hope tomorrow is peaceful for you, I'll be thinking of you.

rosietheriveter · 19/01/2010 21:10

I'm so sorry for your loss.

YANBU - I'm already on the bone marrow register and I'm counting the days until DS is 9 months and I can give blood again. I'll be taking him along and will be encouraging him to give blood when he's old enough.

AnathemaDevice · 19/01/2010 21:18

I've never given blood before (shame on me) but now DS is 9 months old I will do it- searching now on the blood website to see where the nearest session to me is.

Milady · 19/01/2010 21:36

YANBU Chegirl and good for you doing this. I think of your DD very often. An absolutely beautiful girl and brave beyond belief. Thank you for starting this. What a lovely way to commemorate B's time here and the milestone of the 18th.

My daughter has been saved many times thanks to all the wonderful people who give blood.

I'm her mother but mine is no good because she has a severe form of my mild disorder. I can't help my daughter but others can, and others have.

Thank you so much, thank you everybody.

Snowtiger · 19/01/2010 21:43

Chegirl I know you from the April thread, knew you'd lost a DD but didn't realise the tragic circumstances, I can't begin to say how sorry I am for your loss. Horrendous. Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Once this next little one of mine - who's currently giving me horrendous heartburn too - is 9 months old I'll get my backside into gear and give blood (I'm a rare blood type so really should, am ashamed I've never done so ).

Snowtiger · 19/01/2010 21:44

Chegirl I know you from the April thread, knew you'd lost a DD but didn't realise the tragic circumstances, I can't begin to say how sorry I am for your loss. Horrendous. Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Once this next little one of mine - who's currently giving me horrendous heartburn too - is 9 months old I'll get my backside into gear and give blood (I'm a rare blood type so really should, am ashamed I've never done so ).

Snowtiger · 19/01/2010 21:44

Whoops apologies for double post.

slightlycrumpled · 19/01/2010 21:48

Your DD sounds very special chegirl, as is this thread/campaign.

My DH was unexpectedly very ill in December and recieved two quite large blood transfusions, I often think about who donated, as they enabled DH to come home and spend Christmas with his family instead of in hospital.

He is recovering well at the moment, but I would also like to say a massive thankyou to all donors.

Original poster
chegirlsgotheartburn · 19/01/2010 21:58

Thank you all.

I am in bits at the moment but even though this is tough ol mumsnet I dont care who knows it (nor about my grammar)

Am slipping into meltdown so will probably bugger off in a minute.

The thought of people giving blood and signing up for BM donation means more to me than I can express.

DD's death was a waste of a special life but I take comfort from wherever I can. The replies on this thread bring me comfort.

x

OP posts:
junglist1 · 19/01/2010 21:59

Will be thinking of you and your lovely butterfly girl tomorrow x

GoldenSnitch · 19/01/2010 22:00

Requested my pack. Will be another 11 months until I could donate but at least I'll be on there.

Will sort out giving blood in 8 months time too....

Will be thinking of you tomorrow Chegirl