Blood Donor Drive.

banie01 · 22-03-2018 10:36AM #1

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 · 22-03-2018 10:38AM

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

Seth Brundle · 22-03-2018 10:41AM

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 · 22-03-2018 10:45AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:05AM

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.

22-03-2018 11:07AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:09AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:10AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:13AM

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

Gavin "shels" · 22-03-2018 11:13AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:14AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:15AM

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! · 22-03-2018 11:16AM

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.

22-03-2018 11:16AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:18AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:19AM

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! · 22-03-2018 11:20AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:21AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:24AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:28AM

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! · 22-03-2018 11:31AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:34AM

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

blue note · 22-03-2018 11:35AM

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

Ciaran_B · 22-03-2018 11:38AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:39AM

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! · 22-03-2018 11:42AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:45AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:45AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:46AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:49AM

Unfortunately cant give blood as I am gay

Which is a pity because I am b- which is pretty rare apparently

AllForIt · 22-03-2018 11:54AM

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?

Blood Donor Drive.

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