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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:
saggermakersknockturnalley · 21/07/2007 09:37

Have very regularly donated in the past (20 units) but they won't have me any more due to blood transfusion.

Dh goes and is now donating platelets which are very much in demand.

We're both on the bone marrow and donor registers.

robinpud · 21/07/2007 09:40

Always used to but since ds iron level is too low, so they retired me after 3 failed attempts. I got a certificate but still felt as I think it is absolutely fantastic service.

Miaou · 21/07/2007 09:43

Effie I think someone further down said you could donate once your baby is 9 months, but I would check IIWY.

grouchyoscar · 21/07/2007 09:55

Donated a couple of time in my teens but I can't anymore as I developed MS and they won't have it now

Sad as I'm AB-

kimi · 21/07/2007 10:01

I do, and so does DH1

honeybunny · 21/07/2007 10:14

I'd love to donate again but they turned me down after I got malaria (falciparum) in 1991. Sad as I'm the "universal donor" (O-ve) and mine would go to premmie babies.

FloriaTosca · 21/07/2007 10:32

They havent asked me to donate again since I had my gall bladder removed 4 years ago ...but I've been pregnant (and miscarrying) for the best part of the last 3 years so I suppose they will ask me again next year (if this little one arrives on schedule in october). I am a silver card holder though

Chirpygirl · 21/07/2007 10:38

I am very cross with the Blood Donor service, I havent been able to donate for a couple of years as have been pregnant or breastfeeding and they wouldn't take it, but I asked for them to take a sample for bone marrow testing and they refused!
It's only a small amount they need!

And I had my 'I've given shedloads of blood, aren't I a hero' coloured card when I moved to Wales, and they took it away and replaced it with a bilingual one, so it looked like I hadn't donated any !

We used to give blood as a house in uni, shamefully normally when we were broke as you got free bics and drinks and you could get drunk faster afterwards....but it meant all my housemates now give regularly so I don't suppose the reason matters!

Chirpygirl · 21/07/2007 10:40

Oh, and I am AB+ and was told it was really important to donate as it was so rare that there isn't a lot of it, and AB+ people really need AB+ blood rather than using a 'universal' type (is that A?) IYSWIM!

Original poster
PinkPotterWeasleys · 21/07/2007 10:56

It tells you here if you can donate

OP posts:
arfishy · 21/07/2007 11:32

DH and I have special blood too, but we're also not allowed to donate in Australia due to the mad cow thing. And we would too, we both donated in the UK. Bring on the needles I say!

batey · 21/07/2007 15:31

I donate 2 or 3 times a year. Took dds with me last time so they can see it's not a big deal.

SauerKraut · 21/07/2007 15:35

I can't donate as I have a long-standing problem with severe anaemia and I have had a blood transfusion. I was allowed once in Ireland and fainted on the job.

McDreamyGonagall · 21/07/2007 15:42

Because I live in Cyprus

CountessDracula · 21/07/2007 15:43

I don't
they won't take mine cos I am on immunosuppressants

feetheart · 21/07/2007 16:06

Tried today (after a 5 year gap due to being pg and/or bfing) but they have upped the Hg thingie and I failed (again!)
Might try and find out what else I could do to help as my Hg level isn't going to change much and I want to do something.

Weegle · 21/07/2007 20:00

They won't take mine due to long term medication I'm on. And for some reason I feel guilty about it even though there's nothing I can do about it!

jofeb04 · 21/07/2007 21:28

Normally do, but had tattoo 3months ago, so another 9months to go!

Same goes for my dh

EffiePerine · 21/07/2007 21:31

I checked and you can donate if you're bfing, as long as your baby is 9 months old. Will make an appointment next week

expatinscotland · 21/07/2007 21:34

I don't.

Had hepatitis A.

Plus, I don't like needles.

mummyto2littleprincess · 21/07/2007 21:36

i dont i hate having blood taken even thought i had a blood transfuison

mylittlefreya · 21/07/2007 21:42

I used to, passionate about it too, every 16 weeks, til I started going out with my now DP. He had homosexual relationships in his teens. Nearly 20 years since, but they STILL won't take it. Sigh. They could test him for HIV and HepC, but they don't do that, even though they are really short. I think it's sad.

expatinscotland · 21/07/2007 22:05

Oh, wow! Seriously, freya, they cancel you out for htat?

I went out with several men who'd had homosexual relationships in their pasts - all negative for STDs.

Couldn't give blood because of the hep A I had, but that's interesting to know.

jellybeans · 21/07/2007 23:27

I used to be until I had a transfusion. Have alot of friends though that don't as they are 'scared of needles' yet they have tattoos! Still, each to their own.

mylittlefreya · 22/07/2007 08:17

No you can't - but there's got to be so many people who don't know about a new partner's past, or whatever...
I guess it's like giving you anti-D even if your DP/DH is rhesus positive - some people don't know or tell the truth.
How bad will the blood crisis have to get???

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