Blood Donor Drive.

banie01

Hey AHers!

This thread might be a little serious for the shenanigans that usually go on in here
But as the busiest forum on here, I think its the best place for it!
I came across a post over on Reddit, from a lady who was donating her 11th pint as part of her paying back the transfusions her own mum received whilst waiting on a liver transplant.
It really struck a chord in me for personal reasons.

All too often its the big ticket organ donation that gets the headlines, and theres nothing wrong with that organ donation is vital, it saves and improves lives!

But the regular donations of blood and platelets save many many more lives without the headlines that the organ donation generates.
The number of transplants every year in Ireland is in the low to mid 100's.
The number of blood transfusions is that every single day!
Each one of those donations helps heal, prolong and improve a life!

The recent bad weather coupled with an overall decline in Blood Donor numbers is putting pressure on the supply and at one stage recently the supply was as low as 3 days!
The Blood service rely on a dedicated cohort of repeat donors many of home are getting on and not as fit as they used to be.
I'd love to see us Boardsies be able to put a boost in those numbers!
Be it once off donations!
Or some of us becoming regular donors hoping for a badge

So I put it out there to the good folks of boards, to the people behind the SSF!
Lets see if we can boost the country's blood banks and who knows how many we can help in the process!

The_Valeyard

I donate on a regular basis. Its a very worthwhile and necessary thing to do!

Seth Brundle

I had about 190 donations (principally platelet donations) made until I had heart trouble two years ago and can no longer donate.
It is a great way to help someone anonymously.
At the meal for giving 50 donations, a woman spoke on stage to the audience about how she was alive because people had donated.

Myself and a few mates used to donate blood every three months and then head out for a few beers. It was a good way to help people and then have a good evening.

When my kids are older, I'll definitley recommend that they donate.

Bob Harris

Always reminds me of the Supertramp song:

Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your blood to me
I'll give a little bit
I'll give a little bit of my blood to you
There's so much that we need to share
So send some blood, to show you care

valoren

I give blood every 3 months. It's altruistic in the best sense of the word. When you get the text to say where it's gone (my last 2 donations went to Crumlin and St Lukes in Kilkenny) it's a good feeling.

I used to give blood regularly when I was in England. Sadly, that means I can’t give blood here. I would love if they were able to relax that rule as I would give blood again.

jo2509

There will be a mobile clinic in Dunboyne Castle this Sunday 25th, from 11:30 to 3:30 planning to drop down myself.
Just FYI for anyone in the area.

jo2509

valoren wrote: »

I give blood every 3 months. It's altruism of it. When you get the text to say where it's gone (my last 2 donations went to Crumlin and St Lukes in Kilkenny) it's a good feeling.

Yes i really like that they have started doing this, my last one went to Galway.

Mint Sauce

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service dont like mine. The sooner they fully develop and release a test for CJD, the better.

Gavin "shels"

banie01 wrote: »

I came across a post over on Reddit, from a lady who was donating her 11th pint as part of her paying back the transfusions her own mum received whilst waiting on a liver transplant.
It really struck a chord in me for personal reasons.

A lot of people are in the same boat. My brother had a bad accident just over 8 years ago and since then I've donated 27 pints of blood. Have been in every 3 months barring a short period I was "under medical investigation" for sinusitis.

banie01

You can go to www.giveblood.ie to find out more info on how and where to donate.
Or go direct to the clinic finder to find your nearest donation clinic.
They also have apps available on IOS and Android if you'd prefer.

rawn

I donated before but my blood gave a false positive for some tropical disease that I couldn't possibly have, my donation had to be destroyed. I was told I couldn't donate blood anymore as this was likely to happen every time. I was, and still am, gutted, I'm a universal donar

My husband donates all the time and we will definitely encourage our kids to when the time comes.

WHIP IT!

jo2509 wrote: »

There will be a mobile clinic in Dunboyne Castle this Sunday 25th, from 11:30 to 3:30 planning to drop down myself.
Just FYI for anyone in the area.

You'll find that once you go the first time, it will just become a habit as you'll get text reminders etc and then you can try to make your donation every 3 months. It was always one of those things I used to say to myself "must start doing that" then one day a leaflet dropped through the door for a mobile clinic in my area, I made it my business to go and have been, as best I can, donating every 90-odd days since.

As someone else said, when you get that text that your blood has gone to X-Hospital, it's a great feeling.

Mint Sauce

Mint Sauce wrote: »

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service dont like mine. The sooner they fully develop and release a test for CJD, the better.

I don’t need no test to tell me I’m a mad cow lol

The Backwards Man

I only donate for the free pens. One time there was no pens and I was so close to asking for my blood back.

beertons

There's free parking in St James's, if you are donating platelets. It's a long process too, I usually give a double donation, takes any where between 40 and 70 minutes.

WHIP IT!

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I only donate for the free pens. One time there was no pens and I was so close to asking for my blood back.

Could've written em a strongly-worded letter... if only you had a f*cking pen!

Paddy Cow

I can't donate because my veins are too crap. It's a nightmare trying to get blood drawn. The last time the nurse gave up and used a small needle on the back of my hand. When I went to donate blood I told them I didn't mind if they had to poke the needle about as I'm used to it but they said they're not allowed because of regulations. The irony is that my nickname as a child was "veins" as you can see the veins running down the side of my face :pac:

pew

I used to give blood until I was diagnosed with a long term illness and now I can't give blood anymore because of the tablets I'm on

Seth Brundle

beertons wrote: »

There's free parking in St James's, if you are donating platelets. It's a long process too, I usually give a double donation, takes any where between 40 and 70 minutes.

I pretty much always gave doubles too (usually taking 70-80 minutes). It was one of the few times I used to enjoy relaxing (despite the needle in my arm).
The team in there were a great bunch also and there was something nice about going in and they'd all know your name.

WHIP IT!

Could someone explain what the 'platelets' part is? Is this something you do instead of or as well as giving a regular donation? I was asked to consider it the first time I went but declined "for now" as I wasn't really sure what was entailed.

Defunkd

Tried before but they couldn't extract the blood because of my veins.

blue note

I donate about 3 times a year. But I call it life saving. I enjoy getting high and mighty about it.

Ciaran_B

I donate platelets every 30 days. I've the veins and platelet count of a superstar and give a triple donation every time. Takes about an hour.

Seth Brundle

WHIP IT! wrote: »

Could someone explain what the 'platelets' part is? Is this something you do instead of or as well as giving a regular donation? I was asked to consider it the first time I went but declined "for now" as I wasn't really sure what was entailed.

When you donate blood, the needle is connected to a bag which gets filled up with blood.
When you give platelets, the needle is connected to a machine. The machine draws out a cupfull of blood and using a centrifuge, extracts the platelets and places them into a bag. The remaining blood is pumped back into the donor. The equipment is disposed of each time.

When you give blood, you're limited to one donation every three months. With platelets, you can donate monthly. Also platelet donations can be single, double or triple (i.e the quantity extracted).

Platelets are used by cancer and leukaemia patients amongst others. Apparently mine were suitable for new born babies.

WHIP IT!

kbannon wrote: »

When you donate blood, the needle is connected to a bag which gets filled up with blood.
When you give platelets, the needle is connected to a machine. the machine draws out a cupfull of blood and using a centrifuge, extracts the platelets and places them into a bag. The remaining blood is pumped back into the donor. The equipment is disposed of each time.

When you give blood, you're limited to one donation every three months. With platelets, you can donate monthly. Also platelet donations can be single, double or triple (i.e the quantity extracted).

Platelets are used by cancer and leukaemia patients amongst others. Apparently mine were suitable for new born babies.

So the method, as far as the donor is concerned, is identical for both - ie, the same kind of needle is stuck in your arm but they take less blood?

Can you donate platelets on the same day you give a 'regular' donation?

Thanks

Seth Brundle

WHIP IT! wrote: »

Can you donate platelets on the same day you give a 'regular' donation?

Computer says "No".
If you become a platelet donor, you stop giving blood as they don't want you doing both.

beertons

WHIP IT! wrote: »

So the method, as far as the donor is concerned, is identical for both - ie, the same kind of needle is stuck in your arm but they take less blood?

Can you donate platelets on the same day you give a 'regular' donation?

Thanks

No. It's one or the other.

Boom_Bap

I'm going to start giving blood thanks to this thread.
I'm just getting over a cold, so I'm going to have to wait a few weeks.

It's something I've always meant to do but never pulled the trigger on.
Time to start.

gmisk

Unfortunately cant give blood as I am gay
Which is a pity because I am b- which is pretty rare apparently

AllForIt

gmisk wrote: »

Unfortunately cant give blood as I am gay
Which is a pity because I am b- which is pretty rare apparently

Are ya serious? I thought that was done away with?

Seth Brundle

AllForIt wrote: »

Are ya serious? I thought that was done away with?

Not really...

You must not give blood for at least 12 months after you last had sex with another male, even ‘safer sex’ using a condom or pre-exposure prophlaxis (PeEP).

https://www.giveblood.ie/Can-I-Give-Blood/FAQs/Health-FAQs/

Blood eligibility quiz

https://www.giveblood.ie/Can-I-Give-Blood/Blood-Eligibility-Quiz/

gmisk

AllForIt wrote: »

Are ya serious? I thought that was done away with?

Lifetime ban has gone but you have to not have had sex in a year..

davetherave

WHIP IT! wrote: »

So the method, as far as the donor is concerned, is identical for both - ie, the same kind of needle is stuck in your arm but they take less blood?

Can you donate platelets on the same day you give a 'regular' donation?

Thanks

It's a slightly larger needle to allow for the separate Draw and Return tubes. They don't actually take any blood, which is why we can give every 28 days. How it works is the machine draws some blood out of you, it separates the platelets from the blood cells and then returns the blood back into you. This Draw and Return gets repeated until the quantity required is taken. Can take anywhere from 40-60 minutes depending on platelet count, height, weight etc. The machine calculates the time length of the donation.

Instead of a whole blood donation which is a bag of blood for want of a better description, the platelets are yellow.
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-bags-of-platelet-donations-310775235.html


Donation wise you can only give platelets in the National Blood Centre in James Hospital or the Munster Regional Transfusion Centre, St. Finbarr's in Cork

erica74

gmisk wrote: »

Unfortunately cant give blood as I am gay
Which is a pity because I am b- which is pretty rare apparently

What? Are you being serious? You can't donate if you're gay?

I can't donate because I've a whole host of health problems and am on a load of different tablets. You don't want my blood! :pac:

I must say it to my husband though as he is fit as a fiddle. Is there any rules for donating platelets?

Steviesol

They won't take mine, I have led an interesting life. Good cause though

Seth Brundle

erica74 wrote: »

Is there any rules for donating platelets?

There are...
https://www.giveblood.ie/Platelets-Donation/Can_I_Give_Platelets/

For me, the biggest risk to a donation was eating fatty foods in the few days before a donation. The days fats could be extracted along with the platelets spoiling the donation. Had to eat vegetables and other horrible foods on the days leading into it. Uugh.

erica74

kbannon wrote: »

There are...
https://www.giveblood.ie/Platelets-Donation/Can_I_Give_Platelets/

For me, the biggest risk to a donation was eating fatty foods in the few days before a donation. The days could be extracted along with the platelets spoiling the donation. Had to eat vegetables and other horrible foods on the days leading into it. Uugh.

Ah okay, my husband is not a fan of vegetables but I think I can definitely get him to donate blood.

Liam28

Boom_Bap wrote: »

I'm going to start giving blood thanks to this thread.
I'm just getting over a cold, so I'm going to have to wait a few weeks.

It's something I've always meant to do but never pulled the trigger on.
Time to start.

Same. Just checked on https://www.giveblood.ie/Find-a-Clinic/Clinic-Finder/ and there is one in my area next week.

Aglomerado

I used to give it some years back but twice I felt faint afterwards and the next time I went in, they sent me home in case it happened again.

I think it was because I hadn't eaten much prior to the donation but I'd make sure I have a reasonably large meal beforehand if I was allowed to do it again.

I'm AB+ though so not in high demand...

erica74

Slightly off topic but does anyone know how you find out what blood type you are? I have literally no idea and I'd like to know.
I thought there was a blood test you could have done so when I was having my regular bloods done recently I asked the nurse and she said that there isn't a test, the only way of finding out is to donate blood, have surgery or get a blood donation.

beertons

erica74 wrote: »

Slightly off topic but does anyone know how you find out what blood type you are? I have literally no idea and I'd like to know.
I thought there was a blood test you could have done so when I was having my regular bloods done recently I asked the nurse and she said that there isn't a test, the only way of finding out is to donate blood, have surgery or get a blood donation.

Your GP would be able to tell you.

Ten of Swords

erica74 wrote: »

What? Are you being serious? You can't donate if you're gay?

All the 12 month deferral period has done is change an explicit ban into an effective ban for most gay men (the deferral does not apply to gay women).

It's an easy choice for me, boyfriend 1 - IBTS 0

Gavin "shels"

Aglomerado wrote: »

I used to give it some years back but twice I felt faint afterwards and the next time I went in, they sent me home in case it happened again.

I think it was because I hadn't eaten much prior to the donation but I'd make sure I have a reasonably large meal beforehand if I was allowed to do it again.

I'm AB+ though so not in high demand...

My treat is a meat platter from Bison Bar & two pints of water usually an hour before my appointment! Any excuse to pig out a tad :cool:

paulbok

gmisk wrote: »

Lifetime ban has gone but you have to not have had sex in a year..

Get married, you'll soon be eligible

banie01

Gavin shels wrote: »

My treat is a meat platter from Bison Bar & two pints of water usually an hour before my appointment! Any excuse to pig out a tad :cool:

Bison is a go to spot for me whenever I'm in Dublin!

Well done to all on here who donate!
It really is an altruistic act, that does save lives!

erica74

beertons wrote: »

Your GP would be able to tell you.

How? They don't have my blood type on their records because I don't know my blood type and have only been a patient there for about 5 years.

erica74

Ten of Swords wrote: »

All the 12 month deferral period has done is change an explicit ban into an effective ban for most gay men (the deferral does not apply to gay women).

It's an easy choice for me, boyfriend 1 - IBTS 0

And what's the reasoning? I mean surely all blood donated gets tested anyway to ensure it's good blood so why can't they just do that?

Reggie.

Donate platelets here every month

banie01

erica74 wrote: »

How? They don't have my blood type on their records because I don't know my blood type and have only been a patient there for about 5 years.

you could by an antigen test kit?

Or try any of the methods listed here.