Do you give blood? And if not, why not?

[Lady Whistledown]

Just wondering, like.

I do...wondering how many posters do, and what the reasons are for not doing it?

The whole "I don't like needles" thing is a bit lame if you ask me, as nobody actually LIKES having sharp things stuck into them. And if you were lying on a hospital bed, fighting for your life and desperately in need of blood (supplied by other people of course), would you tell the doctors then you don't like needles?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

By the way, if this pricks your conscience, here's the link for you to check out and donate some: Give Blood - do something amazing give Blood

All the more important at this time of year.

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

It's not an excuse, the real reason is I've just not got round to actually doing it, but at 6ft 5, losing a pint of blood makes me walk and feel like I've had about 10 pints of lager.

(And also, a lot of the time, I have)

 

[cloud]

I used to give blood, but gave up after I was turned away on five successive occasions, for a variety of reasons (been to the dentist too recently, had surgery, been to a holiday destination on their list etc)

 

[Dr Q]

Used to regularly (a doner bus used to park in our works car park for a day). Very difficult now as I travel to malarious areas (Angola, Gabon, India etc) 5 or 6 times a year, which rules me out.

 

[Tomo1794]

I'm 17, had cancer last year and enough needles/ cannula's stuck in me without actually any blood bleeding back. Give me a few more years and I might reconsider a little bit :/

 

[brighton_girl87]

Nope, von willebrand disease runs in my family so my blood isn't much use to anyone.

 

[Lush]

I have low blood pressure (tend to pass out in fast lifts), but I'm not sure whether that's a good excuse or not.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

It's not an excuse, the real reason is I've just not got round to actually doing it, but at 6ft 5, losing a pint of blood makes me walk and feel like I've had about 10 pints of lager.

(And also, a lot of the time, I have)

How do you know it will make you feel like that if you haven't done it? They make you drink a pint of water before you donate now, and like you to sit down afterwards and drink their tea/eat their biscuits. Your body replaces the blood donated within a few hours, providing you keep the fluid levels up. I tend to have fairly low blood pressure and I've never felt queasy after doing it.

 

[VAL1850]

I give regulary - Allways makes me feel that I have done something good - never had any after effects or felt tired etc

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

How do you know it will make you feel like that if you haven't done it? They make you drink a pint of water before you donate now, and like you to sit down afterwards and drink their tea/eat their biscuits. Your body replaces the blood donated within a few hours, providing you keep the fluid levels up. I tend to have fairly low blood pressure and I've never felt queasy after doing it.

I've lost a few pints of blood before, via other, less savoury means, say no more.

 

[Tomo1794]

Only thing this thread looks like to me is from the OP is, look at me I give blood if you don't you better be feeling guilty about it. Correct me if I'm wrong please!!!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I've lost a few pints of blood before, via other, less savoury means, say no more.

I presume though, that that was in more traumatic circumstances where your body goes into shock and your brain starts telling you something is drastically wrong, which doesn't happen with blood donation as it's all controlled.

 

[Albumen]

It hurts.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Only thing this thread looks like to me is from the OP is, look at me I give blood if you don't you better be feeling guilty about it. Correct me if I'm wrong please!!!

Consider yourself corrected.

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

I presume though, that that was in more traumatic circumstances where your body goes into shock and your brain starts telling you something is drastically wrong, which doesn't happen with blood donation as it's all controlled.

True. Alright, I have no excuse. Banged to rights.

 

[brightonrock]

Mine ain't wanted.

 

[looney]

I'm a Vampire, I dont give I take.

 

[jackanada]

Should go more often, I always felt fine and would experiment with a few drinks after (more pronounced effect than an empty stomach). If they turned up and said "Oi! - give us some blood" I would but instead they send me a guilt trip dvd about saving unborn babies. You only get that one if you're O neg though.

 

[brakespear]

I did for several years given as my blood is O negative so as you can all sponge off of me But the last two times I had it done I suffered bad bruiding after which, at the time, left me unable to pick up my new-born daughter. Eleven years later though, I should probably get back to it (if only to top up the O neg for those of us who happen to require it to survive )