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Original poster

Who donates blood? If not, why not?

171 replies

PinkPotterWeasleys · 20/07/2007 21:04

Just curious

OP posts:
pucca · 20/07/2007 23:49

When i got pg with my dd (2003) i was told by MW i was AB+ (never knew blood group till then) which apparently is a rare blood group, so i said great i will go and give blood as soon as poss, she said no its not like that there is no point really, as you can accept blood off anyone but can only give to AB+ which is very rare anyway

Anyone know if there is any truth in this? My dad and DH give blood very regularly.

pucca · 20/07/2007 23:50

I also have terrible veins, and always end up with blood taken from my hands, numerous times! luckily i am not squeamish about it!

MarsLady · 20/07/2007 23:50
pucca · 20/07/2007 23:51

Ooh hello not "seen" you around for ages!

She is good, although hormonal iam sure at age 3!

How's your DT's? and olders ones too?

crokky · 20/07/2007 23:52

pucca: it is true that you can only give to AB+, but accept blood from anyone.

But I believe that if an AB+ person is needing blood, they would like to try and give AB+ blood to them if they have it, and only give other blood if no AB+ was available.

I would still give it a go.

I can't give blood as have a harmless genetic condition.

Twinklemegan · 20/07/2007 23:53

I think it's true that you could only give to other AB+ because B's would react to the A element and vice versa. Couldn't say if that means it's not worth giving blood though.

pucca · 20/07/2007 23:57

Oh right, i will go pronto then, as i am coming up to a year after having ds now. Thanks for the info.

dontdoasidid · 20/07/2007 23:59

Message withdrawn

sibble · 21/07/2007 00:06

living in NZ, not allowed to donate if have lived in the UK within the past 10 years - they turned dh away - he was most put out - mad cow scared

hatwoman · 21/07/2007 00:10

can't because i have ms.

PollyLogos · 21/07/2007 06:39

I used to give regularly, but like many others mention here, because i lived in the UK before 1985 they won't accept me any more 'moo'

I'm in Greece and its a great shame they won't accept my blood. People don't give blood regularly here so there is a shortage in the blood banks. When somebody needs a blood transfusion the relatives are told how much they need and have to find that number of friends/relatives etc to replenish the stocks in the blood bank!

geekgirl · 21/07/2007 07:00

I used to but they have changed the session times so they clash with school pick-up
the next morning session is in 2008

kiskidee · 21/07/2007 07:11

i am under their recommended weight and would prob get turned away anyway for living in the tropics before.

popsycal · 21/07/2007 07:25

I have ridiculously deep veins. It always takes many attempts to get a trickle. I always ask docs, midwives, phlebotomists, the front of my hand at the start and they refuse and say nooooo I will get it out. Two bruised arms and several attempts later, they try my hand. And if they are lucky, they will get enough to fill one tube thing.

Beachcomber · 21/07/2007 08:27

Can't as live in France and they don't accept blood from anybody who lived in the UK in a certain period (can't remember the dates) but 1980s/1990s for fear of BSE contamination!

Am glad the French government is taking these precautions but tis a scary thought.

Pixiefish · 21/07/2007 08:28

I can't as I have had so many blood transfusions

harleyd · 21/07/2007 08:35

i cant due to medication. i also have the worst veins in the world.

notasheep · 21/07/2007 08:49

I have been donating for the last 25 years-crikey i must be old!
My brother was given a naff ornamental plate at an awards ceremony as he had given so many pints!!!!!

Pruners · 21/07/2007 09:10

Message withdrawn

meandmyflyingmachine · 21/07/2007 09:17

Blood transfusion.

I am on the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow register, but I don't know if it would affect that too.

When I went along to sign up for that, it took ages to find a vein (they are very recalcitrant), and the woman said "I'm not sure if they'll want you if it's that hard"- . Surely that can't be right? I mean, you can get blood eventually, although when I was allowed to give blood, more than once they had to abandon it because they didn't take the unit within the time limit, but it is possible, and if I were compatible, wouldn't they be drilling bone marrow out of my hip anyway?

moljam · 21/07/2007 09:18

im under recommended weight and nearly always aneamic but have always wanted too although im not keen on needles.

DrNortherner · 21/07/2007 09:23

Yep I do, been a regular donor since I was 18. Am going next Weds actually.

I am passionate about and always try to recruit friends/colleagues to come with me.

EffiePerine · 21/07/2007 09:25

Can you still donate if you're bfing? That said, I have shoddy veins and it takes ages to squeeze the minimum donation out (after they's spent a while getting the bloody needle in)

Nice biscuits though, and if you donate at the Freemasons in Covent Garden you havea pretty ceiling to look at

hannahsaunt · 21/07/2007 09:30

I did from whenever I could (17?) and every few months until I had a transfusion after ds1 was born and they still won't let me...

LadyOfTheFlowers · 21/07/2007 09:32

because every time i do a blood test i pass out with fear. (yes, i do it every time i am pregnant, i have to lay on couch!)
the nurses are never too impressed!