In appreciation of all you lovely blood donors

[EightToSixer]

Hi. I just wanted to start a thread to thank those of you who are able to, and who do donate blood regularly.
Last week I was diagnosed with severe anaemia that was so bad I was admitted to hospital and given three units of blood.
Once I got over the eebie-geebies about other people's fluids going into my arm I was overwhelmed that three people had taken an hour or so out of their days, a scratch of pain and sore arm in order that I could get better.
Obviously I'll never know whose blood I had, but if any of you donate, I want yo say a massive thank you from the depth of my red blood cells and bottom of my (no longer palpitating) heart for your generosity. DH, DD, DS and I are all really appreciative of you.
Thank you x

Lovely thread and I would like to thank all those who donated the blood that saved me after my PPH after having DD2. I was v upset about not being able to donate anymore myself but obviously very relieved that other people had enabled me to enjoy watching my girls grow up.

Also considering I had low iron levels before I went in to labour, I think those that had donated had been eating nails or something as my iron levels were almost off the chart after the transfusion

You're all welcome :) Just a thought for those of you who can no longer donate - or anyone for that matter - I would go every 12 weeks if I could get someone to watch the children while I did, either in the centre waiting bit or at home but it's really tricky and I can't donate with 2 toddlers running around so I only get to do it sporadically.

So even if you can't give your own blood, do chat to friends with little ones and see if you could give them a chance to go!

Another heartfelt thanks from me; my ds had four transfusions during his time in neonatal care and wouldn't be here without them. Even at the time, I used to look at that bright red fluid going through the tube and think 'wow, how beautiful' - the fact it was saving his life, the trouble someone had gone to to donate it in the first place, and also the amazing colour! Magic.

I've been pregnant or breastfeeding for about the past 50 years (give or take:) ) but I'll be donating as soon as I possibly can - shame on me for not having registered before.

ChippingIn - I have the same veins as you!
Last week they processed 2 people in the next bed while my blood slowly (once they had found my difficult veins!) made its way out.

A friend once said to me 'I don't know how you can give blood', My answer is that I don't know how anyone who is healthy and old enough can bear not to give blood. I expereince some discomfort and a little pain but it is worth it every time

The childcare thing is a pain and has stopped me donating from time to time. Our local session is 1.30 to 3 then 4.30 to 6.30, Ihave to go on the dot of 1.30 appointment or not to be sure of getting out in time to get the DCs from school. It was even worse when they were pre-school. A creche would be brilliant.

What a lovely thread! I donate every three months. I've always felt that, if I expect it to be there should I need it, I should be prepared to give. Thankfully, I never have needed it, though DH had a transfusion as part of his cancer treatment.

I'd just like to say I was in perfect health when I needed it. No indication of the massive haemmorage to come. I'd also like to apologise to all those donors whose blood I wasted as I was bleeding out faster than they could get the transfusion packs in.

MN campaign to get people to donate blood anyone? After my fortnight of fun, as I refer to it now, I managed to persuade 20 or so people to go and donate. Imagine what the power of MN could do.

Any of us can need it, at any time. It's quite scary how little spare blood there is (they had to helicopter mine in from another hospital I was getting through their stock so quickly).

What a lovely thread eighttosixer. I started donating after my 9yo DS was given a transfusion while suffering from bacterial meningitis. I've given 10 donations and wonder why I didn't do so earlier. . I actually look forward to donating - a couple of hours out of the house, a lie down and a coffee and a biscuit afterwards - what's not to like?

A+ anyone?

A+ - that's me

sorry, boring old B+ but then everyone gets my blood :o

Can anyone tell me when you can donate again after having a baby? I am a lapsed donor, but really should get back to it.

I'm goingto contact Anthony Nolan too as I registered with them when I was a student. Need ot update my details.

I recently signed up as a bone marrow donor. Just tell them when you give blood and they take a bit extra.

GlaikitFizzog, I think it's 9 months after. I'm pregnant too so I can't donate either but I contacted them so that can put it on my records and call me back when I'm allowed again.

Thankyou x 17 to the people who helped save my Dad's life 3 years ago during a heart operation that went very badly wrong... no, not wrong, that makes the surgeons who spent 12 hours instead of the planned 4 hours fighting to save his life sound bad.... it didn't go to plan.

Last time I donated I counted 17 people... it's a lot more than you think.
It's going to take just over 5 years for me to pay that back.

Head fairy B+ isn't boring, we're one of the rarer ones in this country, but B+ people are generally of African or Asian origin and they don't donate as much so we're more sought after... or so I was told...

And we're optimists... B+.... Be Positive..... (sorry, I'm going now :o )

I'm so grateful and very thankful to people who give blood. My life has been saved on many occasions .
I've had lots of blood transfusions.

I would love to give blood to return to the favour, but I'm not aloud.

A+ here! I haven't been able to donate for ages because of the medication I'm on, and may not be able to for a very long time once I've had surgery, but I encourage everyone who can to give it a go. It's only a scratch, you get a lie down and tea and biscuits afterwards!

Yes - thank you all. I had a haemorrhage after giving birth to DS2 and his massive head. Whilst I discharged myself was allowed home 24 hours after the birth, I looked and felt like a Twilight vampire (minus sparkles) and couldn't so much as walk upstairs without feeling like I was about to keel over. 3 days later I had 4 pints of blood from you lovely people and, as said upthread, I felt amazing straight away, and went from paper-white to a lovely pink.

You helped me care for both of my boys, to breastfeed successfully and to be able to enjoy the newborn days. Thank you.

I've given blood regularly again recently after not doing so for a few years while I was having children etc. In fact I have an appointment tomorrow just by coincidence - it really doesn't hurt, is over quickly and I get a feeling of satisfaction from doing it - It's good to hear the other side of the story :D

Donating blood to help others is a fantastic thing to do, so my questions to the Dept Of Health and the Health Protection Agency and the National Blood Service is why are 58 million UK citizens who lived in the UK between 1980 - 1996 still banned from donating their blood overseas? I would also like to ask why recipients of blood transfusions are being banned from donating their blood? I would like to ask why public are not being protected from prion disease (vCJD)?

I give every 3 months...the Blood Mobile comes outside our office & work let us leave to give.
Also on the Bone Marrow Register - I had a match once, but I'd given birth to DS 3 months earlier so wasn't allowed to procede with further testing.

O+ here ! Common as muck

transmissablespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/new-neurological-disease-in-primates.html

Very interesting article by the UK CJD Surveillance people regarding donor blood.

What a lovely, moving thread. I have been donating for the last 25 years (eek!) with 2 breaks for my beautiful boys. Started because my cousin had childhood leukaemia (thankfully recovered). I'll keep on doing it as long as I'm allowed, and I got DH to start donating too.

Yes, a lovely thread. I gave blood yesterday, for the third time.

My mum has had plenty of blood in her time (cancer patient), so thank you other donors for giving me my mum back :)