The more people that I talk to about donating blood, the more it's brought home to me how few eligible people are actually registered blood donors ~ around 5% of the population. tinyurl.com/78c2ao3
Without wishing to appear to be blowing my own trumpet, I was a blood donor until a health condition made my blood no longer acceptable and I'm on the NHS Organ Donor Register as wanting to donate any or all of my organs or tissue for transplant after my death. I have no connection with the NHS ~ it's just that I think some people need prodding in the right direction.
Blood donation tinyurl.com/4u7uo
Organ donation tinyurl.com/4rtjj
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I used to go quite a bit, but I go out of the country quite a bit so I can't give until x months afterwards so not as often as I would like. Very few people seem to give I don't know anyone else that does. The admin can be a bit poor, rather than a national one seems to be a series of regional ones that don't talk to each other. OK for most people bit of a pain if you move around a bit.
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Yep. Donating again next week. Though invariably problems at the donor interview bit, usually along the lines of...
Them: "Have you been out of the country recently?"
Me: "Yep."
Them: "Where?"
Me: "Can't remember."
I started going at uni, partly for the moral high ground, mainly because I got a free lunch out of it, and just kept it up ever since.
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Certainly not. I feel faint just giving a few cc for a blood test.
A pint?! That's an armfull - it makes me feel faint just to think about it- the pipe, the bottle, the red...... me.... my life ........ draining away........
.......... .
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I used to donate and was up to around 40 donations but cannot now due to the amount of time I spend in foreign countries and the current medication I have to take.
I recommend it , you never know when you might need it back........
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Like Cliff and I thought I had the perfect excuse, as I had jaundice as a youngster, however I contracted shingles (an awful complaint) and after it cleared up I was told my blood was wanted for its antibodies to give to leukaemia sufferers.
After three donations I was told not to bother coming back any more. I was too demanding on staff resources. I'd usually come round to find a doctor and couple of nurses tending me.
Never did get a biscuit, let alone a cup of tea.
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>> LI was
>> too demanding on staff resources. I'd usually come round to find a doctor and couple
>> of nurses tending me.
>>
That's my excuse for not attending births either. They shouldn't be wasting NHS resources on me when there are real patients in need.
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>> That's my excuse for not attending births either.
Strange you should mention births. I may be a Grandad for the first time any time soon. Daughter is rumbling. I hope it is before midnight today!
It seems like only yesterday we had her. She is now 26yo.
Grinning (I hope)..........................MD
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>>
>> Grinning (I hope)..........................MD
>>
Don't forget between celebrations to come back here and tell us virtual godfathers the score then.
All the best to the family Martin.
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Lord - dont it make yer feel old.
< Posted with Internet Explorer V9.0.8112.1642 update version 9.0.5 (KB2647516) Windows 7 32 bit -no problems
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>> Don't forget between celebrations to come back here and tell us virtual godfathers the score then.
>>
>> All the best to the family Martin.
Result GB. She had a lad this morning 07.10 after a very strenuous night. Mum & Son doing well. Thanks.
MD
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>> Result GB. She had a lad this morning 07.10 after a very strenuous night. Mum
>> & Son doing well. Thanks.
That was a long 'rumble' then....best wishes and all that.
Bet you're glad you can give her back when it gets smelly or noisy. Mine is 8 weeks old tomorrow.
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>> >> She had a lad this morning 07.10 after a very strenuous night.
>> Mum
>> >> & Son doing well. Thanks.
Good news that Martin, congratulations to you all.
Good excuse now to look for a decent train or scalextric set..;)
edit, you too WP.
Last edited by: gordonbennet on Fri 2 Mar 12 at 22:20
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>> and Meccano
>>
Garden swing, climbing frame, slide.
A little lad (5 at the time) i know always had his stuck in a gameboy type thing, wouldn't eat proper food.
After several visits to our gaff he was stuffing huge dinners of roast lamb, new spuds peas and cabbage down, his mother couldn't believe it, and he loved nothing better than helping wash the car and himself, 2 gallon bucket of soapy water and no mum to tell him to not get wet, or just mucking about in boyish mischief aided and abetted by me..;), happy as larry.
Boys need mud and the like.
Last edited by: gordonbennet on Fri 2 Mar 12 at 22:27
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I was out filming trains near the slough area. On the way I stopped off with the dog, and we found a park with a really really dangerous playground, rope slides, things to fall off, fast twirly things - it was delightful, I fell of something and the dog jumped on me.
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Grandad, grandad, they luv you - congratulations Martine, don't wet the babies head too much ;)
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A somewhat charmless way to treat a volunteer who was wanted for the special qualities of his blood!
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I gave my 60th donation in November. Currently waiting an appointment for my medical assessment/first donation of platelets.
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I'm proud to say for fourty years got badges and a pen for good conduct.>:)
When I did go for the first donation was a bit scared to be truthfull needles and all that.Nothing to it, a little bit of effort can help somebody's live.
Asked the surgeon the other day if I could carry on being a blood donor,he told me I can't.
My body had to much hammer after a big op.Please give if you can there could be a shortage.
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NO!!!! Scared of needles..........................
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Just a little Prick they said.
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I was scared of needles until I was given an injection direct into my eyeball and now I am really scared!
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>> I was scared of needles until I was given an injection direct into my eyeball
>> and now I am really scared!
>>
Don't remind me, i had a serious permanently damaging eye injury aged 10 years requiring about 3 months stay in hospital....Nurse Barker, Bishops Stortford childrens ward in the 1960's i'm still in love with...eye injection every day for most of the term, they don't worry me one bit now.
Never grassed me mate who caused the injury either....yes you Anthony.
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>> Currently waiting an appointment for my medical assessment/first
>> donation of platelets.
>>
I'm surprised I wasn't invited to donate platelets. After 42 whole blood donations I was told I couldn't donate whole blood any more after it was discovered that my blood had an excess number of platelets. I'm now on medication for life to destroy the excess platelets. Seems such a waste!
Last edited by: L'escargot on Thu 1 Mar 12 at 13:56
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I started when I was 18. Unfortunately I had a transfusion in 1991 when I had a stomach bleed, although I might well have been OK without it. Subsequently there was made a rule that anyone who has been given blood since 1980 can't donate, presumably for fear of what they've been given.
Big Tee - maybe donating would be a good way to overcome the needle fear, given its association with something positive and the fact that the people looking after you get plenty of practice in making people feel comfortable. I do sympathise though of you are badly phobic.
Last edited by: Manatee on Wed 29 Feb 12 at 19:37
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I have no fear regarding needles, but a twerp wielding a knife has me extremely on edge.. I used to donate, but can't now due to the Prostrate op. The fact that I'm good looking seemingly doesn't work in my favour.
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Started giving @ 18, gave 100 pints in UK and a few abroad. Quit in 2006 due to medication. Received 4 pts in 2010 when I was seriously ill.......and very thankful for it as it boosted me enough to be able to have an operation to save my life.
1970 Saudi Arabia - got approx £10 for donation at Aramco (US Oil Co Hospital).
Bought the GF a birthday present - a bracelet - 16.5gms of 18ct gold for £9 + £1 for the taxi there and back............. now worth say £22 /gram = £360 in scrap gold value - possibly more as jewellery.
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Been doing in regularly for about 5 years now, and infrequently before that.
Had a few spells outside the country in places where they dont like you to donate for a while so got out of the habit, but now back into it. Made easier as we get the blood mobile come into work for a couple of days, so just book a slot and wonder in.
My want to give is now much stronger as we have a friend with a little lad who needs a transfusion every 4 or 5 weeks so its a constant reminder of why I should do it.
One of the few selfless things I can do for others
Last edited by: mikeyb on Wed 29 Feb 12 at 20:23
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Last time I checked the price of gold in Dubai in December it was around £36 per gram FB so you are probably beter off than you think (or she is..)
Going back to the giving.....
I always remember the phlebotomist one winter in a cold church hall kept her hands under the bed whilst I was donating - I discovered she was keeping her hands warm by treating the bag of my blood like a hot water bottle......
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>>keeping her hands warm by treating the bag of my blood like a hot water bottle......
One advantage of using plastic bags as 'poop scoops' when dog-walking in cold weather!
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>>One advantage of using plastic bags as 'poop scoops' when dog-walking in cold weather!<<
You've mentioned that before bathtub ~ good grief man!
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I'm almost a JW in some ways:
I don't celebrate Christmas.
I don't celebrate Easter.
I wouldn't want anyone elses blood in my body under any circumstances.
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Yes...in to the thirties. I can get a bit lax on my visits, but tend to remember eventually and then go again.
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>> in to the thirties. I can get a bit lax on my visits, but tend to remember eventually and then go again
Twenty-seven and counting for me. I didn't go as much as I should have up until my early thirties but I've been 3 times a year without fail since 2006.
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Thu 1 Mar 12 at 17:15
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Similar to others here not allowed to due to travel.
Did register as an organ donor when renewing the drivers licence, not sure what happens if my toes curl abroad. If they don't want my blood my organs might turn up in a local haggis.
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I have a UK gold badge but the French dont want English blood because of BSE. A joke, considering the BSE and blood scandals that have been hushed up here.
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Are you a blood donor? - sooty123
