New blood donors needed!

[luckymum]

I've just got off the phone from the the Blood Transfusion Service having been told that I can no longer give blood. I (possibly) had a transfusion in 1986. I feel really bad that I can't donate any more, especially as dd has received lots of blood and blood products too.

Please - if you are fit and able to donate, go along to a donor session. I'll feel like I've done my bit if I can recruit someone to replace me!

The website is www.blood.co.uk - can't do the link without the idiot's guide

I did my bit a couple of months ago - but am about to be barred again for a while (I think it is a year), as I am off to South Africa at the end of the month.

I can't donate either - I had cerebral malaria in Africa as a child. But they are developing a test so they can check blood for malaria, it may be coming in England quite soon...? It won't be in used in Scotland for a while, they will let be know when I can have my blood tested though.

I really wanted to donate as dd had blood during an operation and I thought it was something i could do to give something back/my way of saying thankyou so I am quite upset that I can't.

Wallace - I was barred for several years too because of living in Malarial area for several years as an under-five; they promised to get back to me to tell me when the new test was available, but never did. But I phoned up about 6 months ago, and they said it should be fine now. I've donated twice since then, so I guess that means they have got the tests they need for me in this area at least.

One of my few memories of my grandad is of him telling me he had donated 18 units of blood, and that was the same number he was subsequently given when he needed transfusions. As a result as a little child I was desperate to give blood, and started doning as soon as I was old enough.

thanks for the info roisin - I will give them a phone and check

I still have to find out if i can donate as i have type C antibodies and so when i enquired before, they said i would have to have a blood test to find out the level and then it would depend on that.

Thanks for reminding me

Sorry - I can't give any more as I had a transfusion when DS was born {sad]

Managed to give a net of 6 units.

Or even

I wonder what percentage of donors have been lost because of this transfusion rule. I know that they have to be sure but it's nearly 20 years since I had mine and I'm still sane ( I think!)

would dh be able to donate? he has heart problem but the amount of meds he is on i dont think he could. icant atm as am pregnant, but will do as soon as allowed (just dont tell my parents, they are jehovah witnesses)

I used to be a blood donor, but had a transfusion when dd was born, and as I'm also on thyroxine I've been banned.

misdee - I don't think they'd let him because you have to be in good health BTW has he got over his last poorly spell?

I would really like to be able to donate blood - but also had a tranfusion after dd was born so now I can't.

Is it just that you have to wait a certain number of years after a transfusion before donating again or are you barred for life?

They've been promising that blood test for YEARS but it never seems to be any closer to being implemented!

Thanks for starting this thread luckymum, I've now got my bottom into gear and found out that I can give blood after having surgery a few years back. And I'm really going to do it this time!

Cadbury - you can be my replacement then. Thanks

handbagaddiction - banned for life sadly. Well until they find a test for vCJD, or until they decide that its so long since your transfusion that its unlikely to develop.

I gave blood only last week hadn't for a while as I'd been pregnant or breastfeeding but I am glad that I did it once again. I didn't have an appointment and it took less than an hour including the paperwork. Urge anyone who can to do it too. Well done luckymum for stating the thread.

I offered my services a few months back and was told due to my medical history I would have to get some questions answered from my doctors about any drugs that I may have taken at the time etc. (I suffered a brain aneruysm) I wrote a letter to my doctor asking the questions they said they needed the answers to and he very kindly trawled through my notes to find them for me. I then rang up to say yes everythings fine only to be told ' well, with that condition you can't give blood anyway' errgg why didn't they say that when I rang up the first time, saving me and my gp a bit of hassle?

So in answer to the question - I am another one that can't donate.

I usually give blood when they come to uni, but haven't been able to the last few times. Had shingles, then was pregnant and now bfing. How soon after having a baby can you give blood? someone told me it used to be a year but has it changed?

I would love to give blood as I have the very useful O Rh neg type (apparently anyone can have this) but can't donate due to asthma drugs I'm on. Wish DH would do it--but he's too squeamish!