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

[Tim Over Whelmed]

Did regularly but stopped when started taking allopurinol for gout!

 

[Conkers]

Donated for the first time this year. Felt extremely faint afterwards (very very faint) but on the plus side I received free custard creams and bourbon biscuits and got 30 minutes off of work!

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

I don't ... practising homosexual and all that

You are allowed to now, though. Not having a go but if that's what was stoppping you.

 

[Magic Sponge]

I used to give blood regularly but since being found to be diabetic I can't give anymore, such a shame as I felt it was something worth doing.

 

[MACROBLUE]

Don't really see what its got to do with you. I can't give blood because I have a tumour since you're asking and am not allowed to. Lets hope you are never ill.

 

[Lincoln Imp]

I used to give blood regularly in a unit that turned up at work.

An appointment time would be set and I'd leave my desk and wait in line and that was the problem. Half an hour was OK but the staff were in full NHS bugger-the-patient-this-organisation-is-for-us mode and would keep everyone waiting for an hour or more. I had to give up in the end. Shame, I was hoping for one of those badges you get for three fluid tons.

 

[Hungry Joe]

Don't really see what its got to do with you. I can't give blood because I have a tumour since you're asking and am not allowed to. Lets hope you are never ill.

Why did you answer then? The OP was just asking why people don't and only made a veiled judgement at those who 'shirk' through fear of needles, not those with genuine valid reasons for not giving. No need for the holier-than-thou response.

Get well soon though.

 

[BlockDpete]

Yes, I'm a regular donor. Donated my 50th pint recently and got my pen, badge and certificate.

I'm O+, which again is common as muck, but I tend to get the baby bag as there is something in my claret good for the small tots

 

[El Presidente]

I tend to pass out in fast lifts

That's another fantasy scuppered then.

I am up to 264 pints, you can give platelets every 2-3 weeks (although it does take a couple of hours so you need a VERY understanding employer.

 

[m20gull]

Can you give blood if your asthmatic?

I was told "no". That's why I stopped.

 

[Hungry Joe]

Oops, wrong quote

 

[Hungry Joe]

That's another fantasy scuppered then.

That's another added to my list.

 

[magoo]

I don't ... practising homosexual and all that

How long do you need to practice?

 

[Notters]

I used to give blood regularly in a unit that turned up at work.

An appointment time would be set and I'd leave my desk and wait in line and that was the problem. Half an hour was OK but the staff were in full NHS bugger-the-patient-this-organisation-is-for-us mode and would keep everyone waiting for an hour or more. I had to give up in the end. Shame, I was hoping for one of those badges you get for three fluid tons.

They get paid about £12,000 a year for working 60 hours a weak and get constant shit from members of the public, often travelling hundreds of miles every week as well, so give them a break.

 

[Steve Foster]

Will be giving a pint of blood at Portslade Town Hall tonight.
Any other NSC givers tonight?

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

A pint? That's very nearly an armful!

Rhesus? They're monkeys aren't they?

 

[teaboy]

I'm not allowed. Too many drugs in the system (anti-convulsants) and would need to be medication-free for 3 years before I can donate. This can't happen any time soon.

I'm genuinely gutted about it as I feel that if you're willing to accept blood you should be willing to donate too.

 

[Drumstick]

Not allowed as I've had a blood transfusion. The blood I received saved my life.

Never thought much about it before but since I've had it I wish I could give to do my bit. Not even allowed to give bone marrow.

 

[Pat McCrotch]

Give regularly. Makes me feel good that I have potentially helped someone in need. Also makes me feel great the following day like I've had an oil change myself.

And love the mint clubs provided after!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I think the rule is being changed to "If you haven't had sex for a year". Although how the hell they are going to police that is beyond me.

The same way in which they police everything else: by asking you to be honest and relying on your answers. I'm sure plenty of donors have failed to mention of forgotten the cold they had a week ago, or the antibiotics they took, or got the month wrong for that holiday in India etc.

All the blood is scanned for HIV, hepatitis and other nasties anyway, so anything problematic should (!) be weeded out, I guess the questions just help to narrow down the possibility in the first place.