blood donation

CruelCoin wrote: »

Never donated, but always wanted to.

I travel quite a bit, and as a result, am barred from donating.

I'm sorry, but i can't remember the last time i ever got sick, not one person in my family has any form of inheritable disease, we are all self employed and well educated, i eat well, and excercise on a regular basis.....I have grade A premo-delux blood.

Frankly, they should be fighting hand over fist to get a hold of my blood, but nope....Needs reforming.

it was reformed a few years ago. before that they had to pay compensation because of the anti-d cases, and where infected blood was given to haemophiliacs. the easiest way to avoid that again, is to filter out anyone that may have tainted blood before they donate.
it may not be tainted to you, but to someone with a suppressed immune system it could wreak havoc.

God be with the days of pelician house and the pints of guinness Still all in all a great thing to do. I'm on 60+ and the only thing i didn't like was the wee prick on the finger to test for iron. Giving platlets now and the grub in St james there is always top notch!

LeeHoffmann wrote: »

I'm not allowed to donate blood (because I lived in England for a few years as a child).

Like myself. The reason I was given was because of Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the human form of mad cow. Although the number of cases of vCJDin the United Kingdom is declining, in the absence of a screening test, the full extent of exposure is not known.

Since 2004, there have been a small number of reported cases of patients in the UK diagnosed with vCJD who have been infected through blood transfusion. Most countries exclude people from donating if they've lived in the UK for 6 months cumulative or more from 1980 - 1996.

And, because of the extensive time period covered by the deferral and the possibility of unknowing exposure to beef or beef products, it is not possible to exempt vegetarians who have resided in the UK for a cumulative period of six months or more during the risk years.

Badly Drunk Boy wrote: »

I'd like to give blood more often but it usually never works out because I work 2 shifts. In the past, they had one evening session, and one full day (morning and evening sessions) when they came to my town, but now it's just 2 evening sessions which always seem to coincide with my evening shift.

My blood type is A-. How about the rest of ye?

Same here.

I agree with you that they should vary their times. It's a shame when someone like yourself who wants to donate can't, especially as A- is rare and always in big demand.

MagicSean wrote: »

The last time I went they weren't able to get a full bag from me. The nurse told me I would have been better of not donating as she had just wasted 15 minutes and they would have to throw it out because it wasn't a full sample.

Haven't gone back since.

Ah don't let that put you off, she was very rude. The same thing happened to me - my blood pressure went down and they had to stop donation though I felt grand - and I asked was it a total waste of time and was told no, that my sample could be used for research. There's actually a disclaimer on the form that you sign allowing your sample to be used for additional research - they don't transfuse white cells but they also don't dump them either.

I've had a couple of lame experiences when trying to donating, like being slightly under the weight cutoff, taking ages to find one of my crap veins or the one experience above. Plus I had one fainting experience. But more often than not I'm fine, we all have off days. The more people that try to donate then the more successful donations there are every day. I was very embarrassed being weighed in front of people at the clinic and loudly being told I was under the weight guideline, but that never stopped me going back, cringey as it was!

I give blood regularly and never got sandwiches!! I always liked the refreshments- snack bars and taytos and a large glass of club orange yum yum!
Oh man, I'd love a snack bar right now!

When I donate blood the only things I ask for are a razor and a bucket.

Sandwiches!!! Im a regular O Rh- donor and there have NEVER been sandwiches!!

And so what!!! Im helping to save a life, give with a good heart.......

And bring a packed lunch if you need to eat!!

On another note, I always thought they should hold a blood clinic for single people!! Think about it, Im a single girl and I always think, its a place to find a good man:

They wont be drug users
They wont be gay
They have a social conscience, by giving blood
They have to be practising safe sex

Perfect place sitting down after to chat up people! And the absolute perfect chat up line can be used: DO YOU COME HERE OFTEN!!!!

Im putting on my lippy at the next clinic!

Limericks wrote: »

Same here, they always make a big song and dance about it when I show up. Makes me feel good for donating.

I donate in Limerick and do it a few times a year. They are always lovely to me and always answer my questions politely and show real concern.

Giving blood is one of the most unselfish things a person can do while lying down (I am sure there is a million-billion jokes in that statement :P)

As far as refreshments go, they are important as they will get your blood sugar back up to regular levels. And while I have never seen a sandwich there, they always have plenty of stocked tayto and biscuits and soft drinks. Also, does anyone notice that the bags of tayto taste WAY better when giving blood? Every time I am giving blood my mouth waters for a bag of there special bags of tayto!

Anyway, GIVE BLOOD! it is easy to do, safe and you are saving lives!

Most of the Dundon family in Limerick are O Rh...so they do like to keep the stocks up...for the usual shootings etc..thats why they appreciate you.