Blood Donation

[OverWyreGrower]

I've just booked to donate blood for the first time ever (on Friday)

[Nicos]

I've just booked to donate blood for the first time ever (on Friday)

Well- done- lets hope that's the pint which saves someone's life xx

[SlugLobber]

I've been giving blood since I was 18. I have to be careful with my eating habits on the day, as I did once faint after eating too much after a donation (all the blood was in my guts, none in the brain and don't any of you dare say 'What's new?' lol!).

You've reminded me, actually, I need to make an appointment for the Dorking session next week!

[Matt.]

You run 5km in a minute????...that's 186mph...what do you use for fuel- Jerusalem Artichokes?????

Ha ha! Isn't that the "eats, shoots and leaves" idea. Just goes to show my grammer is appalling as I don't know where I should be inserting commas to convey the correct message. By the way I run at more like 28 minutes which is 10.5kmph or 6.5mph I think... nothing to brag about sadly!!

[Matt.]

I've just booked to donate blood for the first time ever (on Friday)

Well- done- lets hope that's the pint which saves someone's life xx

Or the pint that is used for the next medical break-through as it gets used for all kinds of things.

[Alison]

We didn't have an appointment and were still able to be seen. I thought that although most places preferred you to make an appointment, you could still just drop-in to most sessions and still give blood?

I think it depends on the time of day. I can only really go after work which tends to be a very popular time. I have gone without an appointment, first time had to wait over 1.5 hours () by which time OH was sending out search parties and second time was turned away as they were too busy so it's usually better to get an appointment if you can but it probably depends on the area also.

[Hilary B]

I'm another on the 'they don't want it because I had a transfusion once' list, unfortunately.
Years ago the donor unit used to come round where I worked, a total of 3 times while I was still working there. Never managed to find one at a time I could go since, until recently when I found out about the ban on giving if you have received.
I thought they could screen for just about all these things now!

[Jax]

The reply to this has been fabulous thankyou so so much. As an update Jamie will be discharged soon to come home. It looks as though he may need surgery again as his port isnt working properly but we will wait and see. Keep up the good work guys and gals it means alot.

Also yes it is amazing how much one unit of blood makes. I remember going to the hospital once and Jamies haemoglobin levels were really low and he was honestly like a pasty green colour. After a blood transfusion he had rosy cheeks and we couldnt stop him from boucing off the walls.

[Sprocket*]

I have given blood since I was 18... I am particularly tight with it and they often struggle to get a needle in but it really does depend on the person doing it. Had a lovely man last time and had a really nice time as he flirted with me throughout, apparently he remembered me from last time (umm a bit freaked by that).
I am A- so feel that i need to as we are not as common, plus in my old job role I would often be dealing with serious road accidents and see people in desparate need of blood. Mum is currently on her 97th donation and Dad managed 55 before being forced to retire. OH went once and managed to get a bruise from the elbow to his wrist, he looked terrible and won't go back. I keep trying to get him to go back but the experience has frightened him off...

Never had a problem with the appointment system, for those of you who have never been be brave go try - where else do you get free chocolate biscuits.

[WrexTheDragon]

I have been giving blood now for many a year. They do appear to be doing very strange things like having to now drink a litre of water while you wait now.

They have given up with appointments at my local hall, as it just did not work.

They have asked if I would give platelet, but it is a 100 mile round journey and a more regular donation. So I will just stick with regular blood.

[Brengirl]

This thread has made me realise that 'giving blood' has such a low profile. Why has the awareness been alowed to dim. Why cannot it be simple to pop into the local depot and give a little.

[Alison]

They do appear to be doing very strange things like having to now drink a litre of water while you wait now.

Oooh, don't do that here, just the tea and biccies afterwards. Reminds me, when I was a student the donor sessions were always well attended following the promise of free snacks!

[WrexTheDragon]

Oooh, don't do that here, just the tea and biccies afterwards. Reminds me, when I was a student the donor sessions were always well attended following the promise of free snacks!

Still get tea and biscuits to make sure you are not a bleeder.

[Matt.]

This thread has made me realise that 'giving blood' has such a low profile. Why has the awareness been alowed to dim. Why cannot it be simple to pop into the local depot and give a little.

Its not got that low a profile has it? Occasionally there are adverts on the tele with celebs saying things like "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Joe Bloggs" etc.. Also my work has signs promoting days when you can donate locally.

In terms of just popping in I think they would struggle to make it work if it was somewhere permanant. As it is they are on a four month rotation (min time between donations I think) so they aren't about as often as you think. Also it makes sense to have a roaming donor centre so that it can be as close to your home as possible.

A final though it can't be that low profile because its always so busy... (not that you shouldn't go anyway if you would like to!)

[Brengirl]

Its not got that low a profile has it? Occasionally there are adverts on the tele with celebs saying things like "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Joe Bloggs" etc.. Also my work has signs promoting days when you can donate locally.

In terms of just popping in I think they would struggle to make it work if it was somewhere permanant. As it is they are on a four month rotation (min time between donations I think) so they aren't about as often as you think. Also it makes sense to have a roaming donor centre so that it can be as close to your home as possible.

A final though it can't be that low profile because its always so busy... (not that you shouldn't go anyway if you would like to!)

Well there you are then - wrong again. My OH gave blood regularly on the " emergency call-out" scheme. If the fact that I wrongly think awareness has dimmed it can only be that I am not aware.