My beautiful Joseph with his blue eyes, ready smile and arms always open for a hug or a tickle fight

[Trazzletoes]

He has survived the most horrific cancer treatment with his smile, joy and love intact. Unfortunately the neuroblastoma has survived too.

YAY for toffee :)

Trazzle,

Prayers and love to you and yours. I'm so Sorry.

Another lapsed blood donor here. I have made my appointment for next week. They may not want me, as I am just back from Africa - but I will keep trying.

I will be thinking about Joe, and a friend's mother, who just died from this horrible disease.

YAY acebaby.

If they don't want your very well travelled blood, maybe they would take your best friend/ neighbour/milkman :)

I had a baby 3 months ago so unable to donate yet, but i will make sure i do when i can. Such a wonderful and very important thing to do, will make dp go too.

Trazzle, you, your gorgeous boy and your family remain in my thoughts. X x

I am going to give blood next week, I may be a bit dim asking but how and where can you give platelet? O would like to... Trazzle if there is anything you want feel free to ask. X

YAY for sleepy. I know you will donate when you can...how could you not :)

YAY for snowy. Now I am not a platelets expert, minmooch is. Can you PM her for further info?

I know that previously my work have arranged for the blood donor people to come to the office which was great as lots of people volunteered, I will ask tomorrow if they plan on doing it again

At the blood donor centre I have been to they have chairs for those donating blood and different chairs for those able to donate platelets. It's a slightly different way of donating - for blood they just take it out of you. For platelets they take the blood, machine extracts the platelets and blood returned to you. It requires a slightly larger needle (or whatever it is) to remove and put back which is why you need wider and straight veins, and hence why there are not so many donors. It takes a little longer to do but you can donate more often.

Hope that helps. I have donated blood and continue to do so but was unhappy not to be able to donate platelets - my son has required many Hb and platelet transfusions

Min - it's not that easy for many though :( I can't do it for other reasons, but I looked into it and the nearest place that does it, is a 2 hr drive from me :(

Trazzle - when do you expect to have all the test results back? I know that you and DH will make the right decision for Joe xxx

Been thinking of you all constantly this week, Trazzle. xx

I don't think I can give blood. (Had transfusion after DD's birth.) I'll double check though. But, I tentatively asked DH - big hulk of a man who gets all fainty around needles - and he says he will!

Will also look out Neuroblastoma Alliance and Candlelighters.

Trazzle another one sending love

Amazing at all the donors, well done

Trazzles I am still thinking about you all
Still trying to arrange my session - is anyone else struggling with the website? Today I will give up and call, but it would be so handy to see all the locations and dates so I can cross ref them with my diary.
One way or another, it will be done today (booking that is!)

Snowy - if you ask about donating platelets when you next give blood, the nurse will check that your veins are suitable and tell you where you can donate. I was told that I would have to commit to going every two weeks and the nearest place to donate was over an hours' journey away. I have responsibilities at home (home educating son with SNs), so can't commit to this, sadly. I asked the nurse about donors and she said they often target commuters who will be near the donation centres. I think you need to be near a large city to donate (or able to travel there regularly). My nearest places were Southampton and London.

Trazzle - good luck with the test results today. How is Joe today?

Yes, I've asked about platelets and been told I would have to go to Southampton or London too, both are completely out of the question on a fortnightly basis.

Love to the Trazzles crew Xx

I'm having the platelet test done when I next give blood in May, the London centre is close enough for me to make it possible. Just hoping that I will be accepted now.

If you're in Leeds, you can donate platelets at the Blood Donation Centre on The Headrow.

YAY for tangled's DH

I'm another lurker on this thread who has never replied, because my words just feel inadequate. But I do think about you all lots and I always check in when on MN and my heart is breaking at your latest news, I am so, so sorry.

I'm another who is unable to donate blood, as a former recipient, but when I had my transfusions, my needle phobic OH said he would sign up as a donor..but he seems to have forgotten about this, so I will remind him later, for Joe xx

You can donate platelets in Southmead in Bristol and in Cheltenham.

Done. I didn't cry for all of it and for those of you who have needle phobias, they are really lovely and manage the process around you. I couldn't manage a pint, as my blood pressure dropped a little, but I did fill enough of a bag for it to be used. It didn't hurt, I didn't feel faint. It is fine. And I got an Orange club biscuit .

For first timers the only other things you need to know is drink water before and if you walk three miles home afterwards don't go too fast

Will definitely ask about platelets at the Headrow Centre, only up the road from the office.

If you are in Cambridgeshire you can donate platelets at Addenbrookes Hospital.