Give Blood

[BlockDpete]

I'm up to 50 donations now, got my gold card and certicate too. Aiming for 75 now, when I get a dinner

Been giving blood since I turned 18, and I must admit I do enjoy it. I really do feel like I am saving someones life. My blood group is common as muck O+, but its the one they want the most of. I usually get a baby bag too, as the little nippers like my claret.

I'd encourage anyone to have a go.

 

[P.S]

Yes, I gave my 25th donation last week. Should have given more but occassionally forget or get a tattoo that puts you back a few months

 

[smeariestbat]

i used to go, until they mucked up one of my donations and i had to go in for 'further tests' all was fine it was a lab error, but its put the crappers up me cause i dont wanna donate then be told i'm dying of something

 

[Braders]

Yep , want to get a tattoo soon but would rather help people instead for the time being.

 

[Evil Edna]

I would if they'd let me.

+1.

 

[jakarta]

No way would I let a needle anywhere near me out of choice.

So you won't be wanting a transfusion under any circumstances where you can make a choice?

One of the few genuine 'no brainer' things in life, it does you no harm but does save lives, still you don't like needles so that's OK....

As for me 35 donations and counting, just wish they weren't so arsey about not donating after visiting certain countries, they are starting to get twitchy about places like Italy FFS!

 

[The Modfather]

I donate and personally believe it should be compulsory unless medically you are unable to. Not sure there is anyone other than the JWs who would refuse to receive blood when they need. Also, if everyone donated then you would probably have to do so less than once every year. No great hardship. There are plenty of people that moan about needles and all that crap but when they need the jabs to travel they can put up with it! Have the same view about organ donation.

100% agree with this

 

[jmsc]

I would if they'd let me.

+1.

+2 - I really wish I could, it's so important AND, whilst we're on the subject, I firmly believe that
you should carry an opt out card for organ donation and not an opt in that we have at present!

 

[Pevenseagull]

they don't want any of mine, it's shit

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

this but not a bike acident (jaundice as a baby is why i am not allowed)

I had jaundice when I was young and was told that I could not give blood - but I think that has changed. They were quite happy to take my blood when I went.

 

[Boroseagull]

Donated [+ other half] at Peacehaven last Wednesday but some of the 'jobsworth' staff make life difficult for us ex-pats now. Let me explain, we have given [appointment made by email] everytime we return to UK from Spain. For 4 years this has been no trouble what so ever, the Spanish address always starts a conversation & the staff very pleasant. This time some officious female decided it was not possible to live in Spain but donate in UK [50+ times for me + 25+ for Mrs]. She caused such a scene & eventually after 30 mins + phone calls to HQ & 3 other attending staff debating she was overruled. So instead of 30 mins in and out it ended out a nightmare & a wasted afternoon.
Rant over & I feel better for it! But please don't let it put you off - just do it!!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

No way would I let a needle anywhere near me out of choice.

Let's hope you never suffer the kind of trauma that requires an urgent blood transfusion then. I'm pretty sure they don't get the blood into you by pouring it down your throat.

Can never really understand the "I don't like needles" thing: what, do you kid yourself that other people DO like them?? Nobody LIKES them, but I just find that if I brace myself for a split second and look the other way while they stick it in, I'm fine and amazingly, I don't die as a result.

 

[Woodchip]

It's quite a shame that they are crying out for blood, but nearly as many that do give blood aren't allowed to.

 

[leigull]

Started up last year. Have had trouble getting an appointment at Hove Town Hall as they're so busy and under staffed. Tried to book an appointment in advance but couldn't, so decided to turn up like my letter suggested to (expecting a long wait), but they turned me away at the door. Finally got my next appointment booked for Aug 9th.

I actually really liked the feeling once the blood has been taken, difficult to describe but just felt so much 'lighter' and had a surge of energy.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

So much easier if you go along with mates or partner. It's a good idea to get a team of mates or from footie or work where the peer pressure meant that everyone did it and became the norm.

 

[fly high]

i used to go, until they mucked up one of my donations and i had to go in for 'further tests' all was fine it was a lab error, but its put the crappers up me cause i dont wanna donate then be told i'm dying of something

Agree being told you ill when you are not is not ideal but if you were ill wouldn't it be better to know? Not that giving blood should ever be seen as a health check.

 

[fly high]

Let's hope you never suffer the kind of trauma that requires an urgent blood transfusion then. I'm pretty sure they don't get the blood into you by pouring it down your throat.

Can never really understand the "I don't like needles" thing: what, do you kid yourself that other people DO like them?? Nobody LIKES them, but I just find that if I brace myself for a split second and look the other way while they stick it in, I'm fine and amazingly, I don't die as a result.

As you say "I don't like needles" is a wretched excuse for not giving blood, just don’t look, but there are those with an extreme phobia of needles. A friend has to be sedated for injections she’s that scared, even took off down the road one at the dentists & would rather put up with the pain of tooth ache than have a jab, although I have some simpathy when you see the size of a dentist’s needle & they do hurt.
To all of you who use "I don't like needles" as an excuse what do you do when you need dental work?

 

[El Presidente]

I give plasma and platelets, so can go more regularly. Nearly 300 donations now. I hate needles, have to look away every time as a total wimp, but always remember the people who saved my father's life when I was 14, and it keeps me going back.

I was matched up with a thallasemia (sp) sufferer for a couple of years, so was on call whenever he/she was in need of a major transfusion.

If you can't give, due to medical reasons or job related issues that's one thing, if you can't be arsed to give I have little time for such people.

You can save someone's life, so why not do it?

 

[leigull]

As you say "I don't like needles" is a wretched excuse for not giving blood, just don’t look, but there are those with an extreme phobia of needles. A friend has to be sedated for injections she’s that scared, even took off down the road one at the dentists & would rather put up with the pain of tooth ache than have a jab, although I have some simpathy when you see the size of a dentist’s needle & they do hurt.
To all of you who use "I don't like needles" as an excuse what do you do when you need dental work?

Argh having an injection in the roof of my mouth at the dentist was one of the most painful experiences of my life! Luckily giving blood doesn't even register on the pain scale, just a tiny prick (so to speak)

 

[El Presidente]

I just find that if I brace myself for a split second and look the other way while they stick it in.

Is it the same with needles Edna?