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

[jakarta]

Well I've given blood 30 odd times and if a wimp like me can do it it I'm sure that the tough nuts that are the majority of the NSC will be able to donate without even breaking stride....

 

[The Maharajah of Sydney]

No , I can't - not here in Australia .

If you've lived in the UK for 6 months (collectively) between 1980 - 1996 the Australian Red Cross won't take a blood donation as they don't believe the screening test for vCJD ( mad cow disease ) is reliable enough .
Don't know where that leaves all you poms ...

 

[brakespear]

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.

double posting possibly but being 6 ft 6 it actualy does.....but you get over it pretty quick and when i used I used to smoke (tobacco) it was a pretty neat trick

 

[ferring seagull]

Done it many times in the past but 'I am too old ' and they don't want it any more !

Perhaps things will change !

 

[severnside gull]

Have done regularly for more years than I care to remember - I really don't understand people who refuse for (by and large) no good reason

 

[Tomo1794]

Consider yourself corrected.

Fair enough, I'm still a bit sensitive about things which are barely even related to the fact I had cancer. I still haven't really grown accustomed to the fact I had a form of the illness and although I remember a lot of the experiences vividly at the same time it feels like it never happened. Apologies for coming across as a bit touchy and it's obvious that the thread was started in order to encourage those that don't give blood but can to go on and do so.

You still didn't really correct me though

Probably done that myself now though haven't I

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Fair enough, I'm still a bit sensitive about things which are barely even related to the fact I had cancer. I still haven't really grown accustomed to the fact I had a form of the illness and although I remember a lot of the experiences vividly at the same time it feels like it never happened. Apologies for coming across as a bit touchy and it's obvious that the thread was started in order to encourage those that don't give blood but can to go on and do so.

You still didn't really correct me though

Probably done that myself now though haven't I

Hey, if you've had cancer, that's a pretty good reason not to donate (there's probably a medical reason why you can't even if you wanted to).

I'm just interested in why people are fit & healthy don't do it, like I said, a fear of needles is a bit of a rubbish excuse IMHO as none of us like the things. It may be that people just don't think about it, or think it's inconvenient. I'd always meant to do it, but ultimately only started because the mobile donation unit used to come to the office where I worked and I realised it was the perfect excuse to sack off work for an hour and sample the tea/biscuits.

 

[ryeseagull]

I cannot donate in the US because I grew up in the UK during the BSE crisis.

 

[johnhammond]

I cannot donate in the US because I grew up in the UK during the BSE crisis.

Same. The Americans don't want me because of BSE, and whenever I'm home the UK don't want me because of West Nile virus. Used to do it regularly before I moved here though.

 

[Mental Lental]

Scared of needles.

 

[ATFC Seagull]

I have had blood tests twice (sports-injury related) and passed out both times. Not sure whether that counts as a step up from "scared of needles" but makes me think twice.

 

[slinky]

Yup, being B Rh Neg, i feel it is my duty to.

in fact i am booked in on monday 12th Dec at the race course.

If anyone fancies coming along and donating, you now know when the next session is.

Give someone a very special christmas present, the chance to live.

 

[gullshark]

I have had blood tests twice (sports-injury related) and passed out both times. Not sure whether that counts as a step up from "scared of needles" but makes me think twice.

I pass out during blood tests but only ONCE in my last 35 blood donations have I even felt a little bit faint.

 

[Peever]

Just never gotten around to it....though after a few recent stories on the local/regional news I feel like I should atl east once or twice a year go.....Planning on figuring out how to where I live and start.

 

[Dave the OAP]

I am taking warfarin, simvastatin and candestartin so I can't give blood.

My brother does though

 

[Razi]

I do - mainly because I like the cheesy biscuits & penguins available at the end.

 

[withdeanwombat]

Diabetic ?

Bugger off.

 

[madinthehead]

No , I can't - not here in Australia .

If you've lived in the UK for 6 months (collectively) between 1980 - 1996 the Australian Red Cross won't take a blood donation as they don't believe the screening test for vCJD ( mad cow disease ) is reliable enough .
Don't know where that leaves all you poms ...

I have the same problem in Germany.. Makes you wonder whether the UK has a good test for it or if they accept the risk....

 

[tubaman]

I'm O negative and used to give blood regularly. They really used to chase me up, sending reminder letters, phone call etc. but after having a brush with cancer they don't want my blood any more. I did offer.

 

[fly high]

Why do I give blood? I am fit & well so therefore able to. If ever I went into hospital & needed a blood transfusion I'd expect it to be there for me to have but if I was like the vast majority of people who choose not to it wouldn't be there (I excuse all who for medical reasons can't & those whos travel also excludes them). I have given over 60 times but still hate that moment they put the 'needle' in, I just look the other way. If you are concerened about a small amount of pain you can ask for a local anesthetic. As for feeling faint best not to give after a heavy night out, take your time over the tea & bicuits & no macho rushing around afterwards & you should be fine.