How many of you are blood donors?

[mears]

I successfully gave blood today after being knocked back for the past 2 years because of being anaemic (problem now solved due to curing of heavy periods - thankyou Tranexamic Acid).

DS1 who was 17 yrs old last month also went and donated for the first time. DH is also a donor.

The leaflet that came asking us to doates says that only 6% of people in AScotland are donors which is really shocking.

Many of you will not be able to donate because you are pregnant or have babies under 1 year - but do your partners or relations donate?

2 of my babies needed blood transfusions, women sometimes need blood after giving birth. DS's friend needed blood after his operation to remove the tumour from his knee.
I bet we all know of someone who has needed blood. Do the majority of peolpe just take it for granted that it will be there when needed?

Next time you see an advert for blood donors - encourage someone you know even if you can't go yourself.

By the way, there are alsways other people out there who have the same blood group whether it is rare or not.

Last weekend our hospital had no O Pos blood and had to send to another region to get some.

Ok, working thru the info here , a rough idea what % of the UK popn can receive each blood type. The closer you get to 100, the more people can receive your blood. Only us AB types who have really low, though.

Blood type:% in popn has it:% in popn can probably receive it
O-:7%:~100%
O+:38%:84%
A-:7%:46%
A+:36%:38%
B-:1%:12%
B+:8%:10%
AB-:1%:3%
AB+:2%:2%

For the Scots amongst you here is a link to the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service which operates differently to the rest of the UK. It is part of the NHS in Scotland.
SNBTS

I've given blood since I was old enough (quite a few pints by now).

I'm O+ - very common, but I was once called at work and asked to go to the hospital and give a special donation for a baby - I felt really important

Apparently it's not just your blood group that matters but particular anti-bodies as well.

So everybody, just get on and do it if you can

I used to give blood fairly regularly when younger but then couldn't for ages for various reasons - travelling to dodgy places, anemic, pierced belly button, pregnant etc. Will have to start to go again when I can.

I have tried a few times, and they can't get the blood out of me because I have crap veins and they just collapse, told me to give up last time I went (about 18 months ago now). Shame because I am O neg.

Mears - thank you again for this thread. As a former donor it motivated me to get back in touch to see if NBTS wanted my blood or not, (I was born in Zambia and for a while they didn't want it).

Anyway - today I've given a pint of blood, and I'm really pleased about it

Awwww well done Roisin

I went last Thursday - and dragged 2 friends (first-timers!) with me - am very proud of them as they both donated (although one kept going outside for "fresh air" before being called )

Whilst there, I said I wanted to join the Bone Marrow register but they refused to do it. Gave me loads of info, think it over and told me to mention it again next time!

Well done you too - glad this thread got some blood flowing in the right direction