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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

thumbwitch · 19/03/2010 13:35

OMG, I have just realised what a crass blunder I made in my last post - of course I am likely to be dead before I donate organs (with the possible exception of BM or kidney) but I still won't be able to.

piprabbit · 19/03/2010 13:41

And the prize for stating the bleeding obvious goes to.... drum roll.... thumbwitch.
Rather attractively made me snort tea through my nose.

duchesse · 19/03/2010 13:43

I do when not pregnant or post partum. At the moment while I cannot give blood I am donating milk instead.

I donate blood because I can, it's easy and has a very obvious benefit and I am conscientious about going because I have a very rare blood group that is always in short supply.

Must say I was more than a bit pissed off about 13 years ago when my older children were at nursery and I was really tired all the time that nevertheless I donated a pint of the stuff and they wrote to me a month later to tell me they'd thrown it all away due to my having been in contact with a virus. I'd frankly rather they hadn't told me. I took about ten years off donating after that, until I felt really well all the time and wouldn't have cared so much about them chucking it away.

piprabbit · 19/03/2010 13:47

duchesse, better than the letter a mate of mine got telling him that they had thrown away his donation because it was full of alcohol. Last time he donated after a night on the lash.

duchesse · 19/03/2010 13:49

pip Seriously imagining his sample being 50% alcohol here!

abride · 19/03/2010 14:25

'... the bleeding obvious'

piprabbit · 19/03/2010 16:00

I hope not 50% - but he was made to feel really guilty...

Sunshine78 · 19/03/2010 16:37

Know some people have genuine excuses but for those who dont or just feel squimish anout it consider this:

You or a loved one is seriously ill and needs a transfusion or transplant to survive

Now how many of you would refuse a transfusion or transplant?

I have been in the position of sitting by my dd side and wandering if she would live as we live in a country with such good health care she got all the blood she needed (3 lots) and survived. I currently have 2 cousin in laws awaiting transplants.

So I will now give them whatever I can while alive and they can have the lot when I'm dead - just so I know others dont have to loose a loved one.

and for the record not being able to donate blood as you have a toddler is no excuse I have taken my 2 and they sit at the end of the bed with coulouring and biscuits supplied at the session!

Original poster

Nemofish · 19/03/2010 17:00

So... generally IANBU, but I am a concerned that some posters (although not many) feel they are being dictated to when faced with the question of donating. Hmmm. I can understand that this may put some people's backs up, but I feel that this is something very important and that we just expect someone else to do it so we don't have to. iykwim.

I feel it's a case of 'I'm feeling pressured to do the right thing, so I'm not going to ner ner.' Or am I being harsh?

Only mumsnet can decide!

OP posts:

poutine · 19/03/2010 17:09

I am on the organ donation list.

BUT have never given blood, despite being O negative (universal donor?).

why? well, an ex boyfriend went along enthusiastically when we were at uni. He fainted in the middle of it and basically the upshot was that they couldn't use the blood.

I would really like to donate but I am pretty squeamish. I am seriously worried about fainting and that it would just be a waste of time for the blood service people.

So....
how long does it take (ie how long would i have to sit there hoping not to pass out?!)

also, any tips of how not to pass out?

thanks!

AMumInScotland · 19/03/2010 17:27

I've only done it once so I'm not an expert, but I think the trickiest bit as far as fainting goes is after they've taken the blood and you stand up. I got told off for trying to get up too quickly, that I should just lie still for a bit first. Then, once I was up and having my juice & biscuits, I felt fine and was chatting away no problem, then suddenly felt funny and they made me lie down again for a bit. The lady in charge explained that the drop in blood pressure is often not noticeable at first because of the adrenaline, but then when you relax after it's all over, you feel the effect of the drop in pressure.

While it's being done you just have to lie there, so I don't think you're at much risk of fainting. You can look away while they pop the needle in, and they cover it up with a bit of gauze once its in so you can't see it.

bluenosebear · 19/03/2010 17:33

Sunshine - not sure if toddler comment is aimed at me or not but I certainly couldn't take mine. Mine would not sit colouring, they would want to be into everything, would want to touch all the equipment and probably cause mass havoc right now. I think having a toddler IS a valid reason, especially as I've suggested that I might reconsider if they made the times more "family friendly" so that I could go when DH can take over.

poutine · 19/03/2010 17:38

thanks, MuminScotland.
i think i'll bit the proverbial bullet and sign up!

pacinofan · 19/03/2010 17:38

I am not a blood donor nor an organ donor, feel v uncomfortable about organ donation but wish I didn't. Am thinking about blood donation, particularly as my mum has received blood and I will always be grateful. But one thing I don't understand is why can you not donate blood if you have had a transfusion? All blood is screened, no? Also, can I donate if I received the blood product anti-d during pregnancy?

BrahmsThirdRacket · 19/03/2010 17:46

I'm on the organ donor register, they can take any bit of me they want, no problem with that.

But blood... I have no real excuse, except that I'm a puker when it comes to blood tests. I kind of wish it was compulsory to give blood because of course I could and it's really important. I almost think I don't deserve to take blood if I'm not prepared to give it, but I'm not principled enough to refuse it!

Sunshine78 · 19/03/2010 17:47

Didn't aim toddler comment at any one in particular but have noticed on other threads often used as the excuse and beleive me I have not met anyone with more active ds than mine but it is amazing how they do just sit there - seen it with other mums and toddlers.

Other thing to remeber is you are entitled to paid leave form work to go and give blood and your employer can not stop you - if they ttry just point out they have no option!

As for fainting the nurses are very good and sorting you out without making a fuss.

If a donation is not made in full yes can not be used for transfusion but can be used for research etc so no blood is ever wasted!

My main problem apart from the valid medical ones is that these are all just excuses and I bet none of you would be on here justifying yourselves for not accepting a donation for yourself or a loved one - we all expect the blood/organs to be there when we need them dont we?

Sorry if I go on but since DD was ill and needed 3 transfusions I feel if we medically can we should all donate.

duchesse · 19/03/2010 18:03

The trick is to drink a lot of fluid before going to keep your BP up.

OTTMummA · 19/03/2010 18:05

no one should have to donate if they do not want to. it is still your body after your dead, just because we don't need the organs etc doesn't mean we should have to give them away.
Thats like saying all your possesions/money should go to the most needy, like people living on the street instead of your own children/person of choice who may not need what you leave them.

I do however think an opt out instead of opt in system would be a lot better.

LittleSilver · 19/03/2010 19:11

I don't donate because I can't manage a 4 yr old, 2 yr old and 1 yr old whilst I lie there. If the NBS would like to set up a creche with attendant, I'll be there.

bluenose, NBS staff are generally not nurses, they are unqualified staff (though with special training) NOT registered with the NMC.

trice · 19/03/2010 19:13

They don't want any part of me

dh won't donate his organs for superstitious (or in his eyes religious) reasons. I don't know what we would do about the children. it is a prospect too horrible to discuss.

LittleSilver · 19/03/2010 19:14

Oh, and def agree with bluenose, I am NOT risking my brood racing around like mad things whilst I donate. It really wouldn't kill the NBS to set something up. I can't even go to the dentist without having the 1 year old glued to my chest whilst the dentist does her stuff. So, Sunshine, sorry, yabu there.

hazeyjane · 19/03/2010 19:16

If you follow the links on here, you can find out if you can donate blood or not. And if there is any doubt, there is a number you can call.

bluenosebear · 19/03/2010 19:48

LittleSilver I didn't know they weren't nurses, OK feel a little more sympathetic then! Sunshine it's useful to know you can take time off work. Where I used to work they made you feel like they were doing you a favour by "letting" you go!

thumbwitch · 19/03/2010 21:55

the ladies who run the sessions are called donor attendants (DAs) and they are rarely nurses. There is always at least one medical professional there however.

"Thats like saying all your possesions/money should go to the most needy, like people living on the street instead of your own children/person of choice who may not need what you leave them."
can't see that comparison at all - your organs aren't going to go to anyone else who might not need them, they are going to go to waste. I would rather they were used if they were needed - long live recycling - than rotted in the ground or were burnt up.

MiladyDeWinter · 19/03/2010 22:00

I gave blood for flipping ages until 2002 when my dd was diagnosed with a clotting disorder which I have a mild form of. I'm not allowed now obviously do these alternative things are great to know! I can help after all.

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