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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that we should all donate blood if possible and sign the donor organ register?

110 replies

Nemofish · 18/03/2010 21:11

Another AIBU has got me thinking...
(this is not a dig at any other posters, honestly, it just literally made me think)

What stops you, if you don't donate blood or haven't signed the donor organ register? Do you have worries or concerns about where the blood / organs may be going, do you feel ill at ease with medical procedures, or other reasons?

'Cos I really think that if at all possible, we should all do it. Really. Unless IABU!

If you do donate / have signed, what really really motivated you to 'just do it' (aargh!) in the first place?

OP posts:
multitasker · 18/03/2010 21:21

I just recently gave blood for the first time and feel bad I didn't do it sooner. I think the ad on tv and billboards was very effective and I suppose I remembered when I had my 3dc I had c-sections and there was blood there if I needed it.

Ofcourse I think everyone should give blood if they are healthy and well - if I can do it with a real needle phobia theres no excuses!!

bluenosebear · 18/03/2010 21:27

I don't donate blood for 2 reasons, 1) the sessions are at silly times for me and I can't take a toddler. 2) I take medication and last time I went, they cross examined me as to why I took it, didn't believe me when I told them because it can be used for epilepsy too, and told me very crossly if I was lying and I was epileptic I could have a fit and die. Then they got the doctor to "have a word". I appreciate the need to be careful but this was beyond what was needed IMHO. I was being interregated in front of other donors. I wouldn't mind but I'm 30 ffs, and they treated me like a silly teenager. Having convinced them, they kindly allowed me to have my blood taken by the worst nurse I have ever seen, who actually SCREAMED when my blood came out a little faster than anticipated. The other nurses just stared. I have never seen anyone (let alone someone in the medical profession) react that way to blood.

I don't fancy having to convince them every time I go that I can infact give blood quite safely and don't need effing patronising. And yes, am an organ donor. As and when I die, it's important to me that I don't go to waste!

CMOTdibbler · 18/03/2010 21:27

YANBU - and don't forget about signing up to a bone marrow donation register. It's super simple to do - the Anthony Nolan Trust can do it all by post with no blood sample, just a saliva kit.

I give blood, and am on the donor register. Why ? Because people I love wouldn't be alive now if others hadn't donated. Simples.

bluenosebear · 18/03/2010 21:28

Oh and in answer to your OP, no YANBU. I guess I'm the one being unreasonable for letting a bad experience put me off.

ILovePlayingDarts · 18/03/2010 21:30

I went for my first blood donation just 4 days after my 18th birthday, which was the earliest you could then do it (not sure if it's changed). Am due to attend on Saturday, and I am always getting calls to go, as I am group O Neg.

I personally think it should be a law that everyone who is medically fit should be made to donate at least once in their lives.

Original poster
Nemofish · 18/03/2010 21:32

Blimey bluenosebear you had an awful experience. I recently started giving blood - I had always assumed I was unable but I decided to do the online suitability thing - and I was able to, so I felt a bit

CMOTdibbler I will put bone marrow donation register on my To Do list, very interesting.

OP posts:
abride · 18/03/2010 21:38

A lot of women on MN like me are in the peri-menopause which means they have heavy periods, leading to a lack of iron. They're not likely to be able to give up any more blood. They won't take you if you're anaemic or heading that way.

bluenosebear · 18/03/2010 21:43

Nemo I know! People actually don't belive me when I have a whinge but hey. Bone marrow I've been sort of scared of cause someone told me that it really hurts and you need an overnight stay (talking about the initial test not actually giving) but if they can do it with a saliva sample I guess it's changed! I can live with that.

bosch · 18/03/2010 21:44

abride - I can sometimes give and sometimes not give blood because of low iron levels. Sometimes I eat a few steaks and a lot of apricots in the week leading up to a blood donor session - doesn't always work. I just keep trying. Have an appt next week

I can't remember if I'm on the donor organ register, have vague recollection of thinking about it some time ago but can't rem if I acted on it. Will go check now

troublewithtalk · 18/03/2010 21:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

expatinscotland · 18/03/2010 21:46

i agree with trouble.

YABU.

Original poster
Nemofish · 18/03/2010 21:46

I have to have tuna steaks, spinach orange juice and supplements for 2weeks before, just to make sure

OP posts:
chegirlWILLbeserene · 18/03/2010 21:47

YANBU.

I started a thread like this just before my DD's 18th birthday in January.

I will also be doing one just before the 4th anniversary of her death from luekemia on the 27th April.

blue I am suprised at that experience because I distinctly remember a man resting after having a seizure at a session I went to. The nurse told me it was quite common for people with epilepsy to have a fit after giving blood. I therefore assumed they were eligible to be donors.

So many people are not able to give blood so its extra important that those of us who can, do. And those of us with teenage children encourage them to do so and get on the BM list too.

I would also urge everyone to contact the blood service to express concern that sessions are not better timed for women who have to do the school run or who have to bring children with them. I have done so because sessions in this area run from 2pm which is fairly useless if you have to get to the school for around 3 (given that you have to hang about).

TinyPawz · 18/03/2010 21:48

I used to give blood then they stopped allowing me because my husband is from a country with a high rate of AIDS and we have obviously had unprotected sex (DD).

Was most not impressed...not entirley sure if the woman I went too was getting abit OTT.

Pozzled · 18/03/2010 21:50

I'm on the organ donor register and have made sure my DH and family know.

I have given blood about 3-4 times, quite a few years ago now. However, I do tend to get quite woozy afterwards and almost fainted once,which really put me off TBH. I do feel guilty about not going, but I am nervous about it and don't like the thought of going on my own. (Yes, I know I should stop making excuses...)

PersonalClown · 18/03/2010 21:50

I can't give blood at the moment. I'm still in the quarantine period for piercings and tattoos.
But I am on their call list to remind me when it is almost up and I can start donating again.

I've been on the organ register list for as long as I can remember but I saw Misdee's DH at his worst before he had his transplant and if that doesn't make you think, nothing will.

VinoEsmeralda · 18/03/2010 21:55

Have been on organ register for as long as I can remember and so are DC's and DH.

As to giving blood, my DC wouldnt have a father if it wasnt up to 37 pints of donor blood and platelets. Strangely enough the PIL and SIL still dont donate but then they are weird people!

bosch · 18/03/2010 21:57

YADNBU - have just signed up on organ donor register - it took 10 mins (my computer is being REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY slow today) think it should take about 3 normally, from google search to end.

Well, I believe that we are a society and we depend on each other. That means obligations as well as benefits. If you really haven't got the time to give blood, can understand vis toddlers, but if you just don't want to - well, erm I think you're relying on other people to do the right thing. Are OK with that?

BTW, mmm, tunafish, spinach and orange juice, that'll be on the menu this w/e!

Valpollicella · 18/03/2010 21:58

I can't due to my weight and anaemia issues which is annoying

Valpollicella · 18/03/2010 21:59

But am on organ donation register

Portofino · 18/03/2010 22:00

YANBU. I'm abroad but believe here they have the "opt out" system, but dh is aware.....

As for my blood, I am happy to give it, but they don't want it! Mad Cow infested I am (apparently) !

runnybottom · 18/03/2010 22:05

I'm banned, I'm a mad cow, apparently!

FightingDwarf · 18/03/2010 22:17

I think I'm on the organ donor register - isn't there a bit to tick when you get your driving licence? I think I did that.

I haven't donated blood yet. I think it's a combination of laziness, fear of the unknown, and a bit of an it'll-never-happen-to-me attitude. Only, turns out, it did happen. DD has had more units of blood and platelets than I can count over the last 10 months since she started cancer treatment. I am so grateful to those people that donated their blood. So I will definately be donating regularly in the future. ...just have to get over that first visit fear first.

Valpollicella · 18/03/2010 22:23

Fighting, you can do it

Go Fighting, Go Fighting go!

Anyone who can come along to hold your hand? I also think if you have The Fear, you need to keep looking away through the whole process.

FightingDwarf · 18/03/2010 22:42

LOL, I definately will go V! I'm not even that squeamish, so it's quite pathetic really. After seeing what DD has been through without any complaints, I can't wimp out of something so tiny, can I?

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