Blood Donor Drive.

Seth Brundle · 22-03-2018 11:56AM

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/

22-03-2018 11:56AM

Blood eligibility quiz

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

gmisk · 22-03-2018 11:58AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:58AM

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 · 22-03-2018 11:59AM

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 · 22-03-2018 12:04PM

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

Seth Brundle · 22-03-2018 12:05PM

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 · 22-03-2018 12:17PM

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 · 22-03-2018 12:18PM

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 · 22-03-2018 12:51PM

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 · 22-03-2018 01:04PM

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 · 22-03-2018 01:07PM

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 · 22-03-2018 01:14PM

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" · 22-03-2018 01:21PM

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 · 22-03-2018 01:23PM

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 · 22-03-2018 01:24PM

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 · 22-03-2018 01:26PM

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 · 22-03-2018 01:27PM

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. · 22-03-2018 01:29PM

Donate platelets here every month

banie01 · 22-03-2018 01:30PM

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.

beertons · 22-03-2018 01:32PM

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.

I assumed you got your bloods tested with your doctor before.

w/s/p/c/ · 22-03-2018 01:33PM

Only started doing it last year (been meaning to do it for years), my job sent around an email about it so a group of us donated. Do it every 3 months now, well worth it when you get the text saying your donation has been used. Plus the free biscuits and crisps afterwards are great!!

Ave Sodalis · 22-03-2018 01:34PM

davetherave wrote: »

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

Really? Our last drive had a seperate section for platelets that seemed to be going through a seperate process, which sparked my interest. Is that just a way of signing up and going through tests for going to these places?

c6ysaphjvqw41k · 22-03-2018 01:42PM

This post has been deleted.

Ten of Swords · 22-03-2018 01:46PM

erica74 wrote: »

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?

There are 2 reasons. Firstly gay men represent the highest risk group statistically speaking and secondly it is (and I hate this term) international best practice ie. other countries that allow gay men to donate generally require this 12 month window (there are exceptions as each country sets their own rules, there are still countries in Europe that ban gay men from donating blood).

Although all blood is tested there is a small window after infection where a blood borne disease can be undetectable by modern testing methods.

beertons · 22-03-2018 01:48PM

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

Really? Our last drive had a seperate section for platelets that seemed to be going through a seperate process, which sparked my interest. Is that just a way of signing up and going through tests for going to these places?

They just bring you in and tell you what's involved. I thought the same as you.
I'm on a 6 month break from donating, something came up in a sample 6 months ago, so I'll get the mot next week, send them up my results and see what they say.

Gavin "shels" · 22-03-2018 01:52PM

Just on the platelets - I'm **** scared of needles (even to the point after 27 donations I still close my eyes when it goes in and tissue over the needle), is that process any different? Someone mentioned the needle being bigger, is there any bigger pinch or pain or that? May look into it.

My new job actually does a blood drive every 3 months - allow staff go over in a group on the companies time. With the recent news from IBTS the company said staff could take the time off at their preferred date/day outside of the company blood drive. Great to see when companies back good initiatives like that.

WHIP IT! · 22-03-2018 02:23PM

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

Really? Our last drive had a seperate section for platelets that seemed to be going through a seperate process, which sparked my interest. Is that just a way of signing up and going through tests for going to these places?

Same as that, in our local primary school. But perhaps, as you said, it was just a way of giving you the information and signing you up to donate at the facilities mentioned above.

Mushy · 22-03-2018 02:26PM

Gavin shels wrote: »

Just on the platelets - I'm **** scared of needles (even to the point after 27 donations I still close my eyes when it goes in and tissue over the needle), is that process any different? Someone mentioned the needle being bigger, is there any bigger pinch or pain or that? May look into it.

My new job actually does a blood drive every 3 months - allow staff go over in a group on the companies time. With the recent news from IBTS the company said staff could take the time off at their preferred date/day outside of the company blood drive. Great to see when companies back good initiatives like that.

Been so long since I donated blood I can't fully remember the needle used, but I think the pinch is the same. It's more uncomfortable as it's in for much longer, but we'll worth it. Was meaning to go back but seeing this thread, gonna book in for next week

AllForIt · 22-03-2018 02:47PM

kbannon wrote: »

Not really...

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

I'm sorry to say that I qualify.

Blood Donor Drive.

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