Do you give blood?

blue note · 13-11-2015 02:49PM #1

I gave yesterday, but I'm just curious as to what sort of percentage of people actually do. And for those that don't why not?

I've included in the poll an option for yes even though you're not supposed to. I know a couple of gay people that do, they just lie on the form. I'm happy enough about it, if I need their blood I won't be complaining. The blood is tested anyway before it's used.

And what are the reasons people can't by the way?

smash · 13-11-2015 02:50PM

blue note wrote: »

I gave yesterday, but I'm just curious as to what sort of percentage of people actually do. And for those that don't why not?

It's my blood, I like it in my body.

maconof · 13-11-2015 02:52PM

I try to donate every 3 months, been doing it for about 2 years now.

13-11-2015 02:52PM

I do. I think it was Christopher Hitchens who said that it is one of the easiest forms of charity because "Although you give a pint you do not really lose a pint - as your body regenerates it that quickly" - and that struck enough of a cord with me that I took it up.

From a purely selfish perspective however - some day I might need some myself and every pint I give now is one pint likelier that there will be in the future when I need it back

Not sure how long these things can be stored for. Anyone in the know on that? If it is a long time - I am surprised there is no business model in place for "banking" your own for later use. Or is there? If not - might be a niche market there. Must look into that

Badly Drunk Boy · 13-11-2015 02:53PM

I do, although it's been a while since I have. I'll have to get back to it soon. I've a few reasons for not going recently.

Wizard! · 13-11-2015 02:54PM

I 've been donating since 1990. Lately, due to weight gain that caused high blood pressure, I cannot, but I will again as soon as I return to my normal weight.

Conall Cernach · 13-11-2015 02:56PM

I gave blood for years and even got the silver pelican pin (which I've since lost) but then they changed the rules and as I once lived in the UK I'm now barred.

I might just start donating again and not let on myself.

Mesrine65 · 13-11-2015 02:56PM

I'd love to but can't, I contracted hepatitis A back in my travelling days

Pity really as I have a rare blood group, AB-Neg

blue note · 13-11-2015 02:57PM

Badly Drunk Boy wrote: »

I do, although it's been a while since I have. I'll have to get back to it soon. I've a few reasons for not going recently.

Sober up and come back!

kylith · 13-11-2015 03:01PM

Yep. It was a rite of passage in my family: when you turned 18 you'd go for your first pint.

I trailed off for a while but I'm back at it now. Next donation is #20!

cython · 13-11-2015 03:03PM

Deleted User wrote: »

I do. I think it was Christopher Hitchens who said that it is one of the easiest forms of charity because "Although you give a pint you do not really lose a pint - as your body regenerates it that quickly" - and that struck enough of a cord with me that I took it up.

From a purely selfish perspective however - some day I might need some myself and every pint I give now is one pint likelier that there will be in the future when I need it back

Not sure how long these things can be stored for. Anyone in the know on that? If it is a long time - I am surprised there is no business model in place for "banking" your own for later use. Or is there? If not - might be a niche market there. Must look into that

IBTS site suggests blood can be stored for up to 5 weeks for their purposes at least: https://www.giveblood.ie/All_About_Blood/How_Blood_is_Used/

ScumLord · 13-11-2015 03:05PM

I donate fucks, apparently nobody thinks to give them so there's a shortage.

Aeternum · 13-11-2015 03:07PM

I would love to but can't due to health issues - my blood ain't no good apparently.

osarusan · 13-11-2015 03:07PM

Yes, I have a pin somewhere because I reached some number of donations.

KERSPLAT! · 13-11-2015 03:07PM

No but I should. Gonna look into it on my lunch. Can you donate on a Saturday or in the evenings anywhere around Dublin?

Tilly · 13-11-2015 03:08PM

Yup every 3 months.

efb · 13-11-2015 03:08PM

Used to. Not currently eligible, may be in the future

Penny Tration · 13-11-2015 03:09PM

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

No but I should. Gonna look into it on my lunch. Can you donate on a Saturday or in the evenings anywhere around Dublin?

There's regularly blood donation drives in the suburbs in the evening time. I've donated at 8pm in swords, coolock, artane etc. There's also the clinic on d'olier street, but no late openings there.

Go to www.giveblood.ie and you can see all suburban donor nights on any given evening

I donate as much as I can. My uncle died of leukaemia and he made me promise that I'd donate blood and platelets because the amount of transfusions he got, gave him extra precious months. I can't give platelets because I have terrible veins so I'll always give blood.

Fr_Dougal · 13-11-2015 03:09PM

Yeah, I donate platelets, must be close to 40 donations at this stage. Can donate platelets every 4 weeks.

beyondbelief67 · 13-11-2015 03:11PM

I'd love to but I can't as I'm English, and despite being here 20 years strong accent so couldn't pretend I'm not.
But I did give when I lived in UK.

Penny Tration · 13-11-2015 03:15PM

black_frosch wrote: »

Because it is free will.

I believe op was asking why people choose not to, not whether they have free will or not

kneemos · 13-11-2015 03:15PM

Hardly wise to lie about your eligibility,they have those rules for a reason.
Unless you know better than the medical heads.

MarkR · 13-11-2015 03:16PM

About a dozen times. Do it for the cup of tea and crisps.

KungFuhrer · 13-11-2015 03:17PM

I used to give blood, but since a couple of years now I lost a little but of weight, which puts me at/under 50kg

Buona Fortuna · 13-11-2015 03:18PM

beyondbelief67 wrote: »

I'd love to but I can't as I'm English, and despite being here 20 years strong accent so couldn't pretend I'm not.
But I did give when I lived in UK.

Wow, never realised. Anyone that lived in the UK for more than 12 months between 1980 and 1996 is ineligible because of the risk of CJD.

That must reduce the pool of donors quite a bit?

sullivlo · 13-11-2015 03:21PM

I have tried a few times but they can never find a vein. I'm ineligible at the moment after recent surgery but will try again when I can.

SEPT 23 1989 · 13-11-2015 03:23PM

not since they stopped giving pencils and Guinness

NeitherJohn · 13-11-2015 03:23PM

I donate but for the last two years I work late all week so I don't get to go in the evenings.

They're on UCC campus for two days next week so I'll go then.

kneemos · 13-11-2015 03:24PM

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Wow, never realised. Anyone that lived in the UK for more than 12 months between 1980 and 1996 is ineligible because of the risk of CJD.

That must reduce the pool of donors quite a bit?

Most of Ireland lived in the UK during that period.

trixychic · 13-11-2015 03:25PM

Just started and will.keep going. I'm 25 so hopefully have a few yrs ahead of donating.

Medusa22 · 13-11-2015 03:26PM

I think it is a great thing to do and I really admire people who do it. I wish I could do it myself (especially as I have to get blood tests quite regularly and I am well used to being poked by needles for IVs so it would be no bother) but unfortunately I take daily prophylactic antibiotics and that rules me out. I do have an organ donor card though.

Do you give blood?

Do you give blood 222 votes

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