General Chat

I too fainted after giving blood. Last time they told me that if I fainted again then I wouldn't be allowed to donate anymore. My body is obviously as stubborn as my mind because I didn't faint! lol becx

I give blood and am on the bone marrow register!

I've always wanted to do it but I was told you can't donate if you have regular acupuncture. Now I have anaemia (complication of a medical condition) so I guess that rules me out even further. I am on the organ donor register, though, and carry my donor card everywhere I go. Well done to those who do it--I would feel so proud if I was in your position!

My dad got his silver badge (25 pints I think) and my sister did it for a while - until told she was anaemic! - wish I could do it, but just would keel over. Maz. XX

When I was in my early twenties I thought I would be brave and give blood. So off I trooped with lots of others from the company I was working for. As I walked in through the door a nurse said "Sorry, you won't be able to give blood my dear". Me (bright red) 'Why not". Nurse "Because you are under 5 foot tall and you don't look like you weigh 8 stone". Even now twenty years later I still haven't grown enough (or weigh enough) to give blood!!!!

I'm up to 64 donations. Do give it a try. At least go along to the centre, enrol, and watch what's going on. If you are accepted (and there are many reasons why you may not be acceptable....too many to list), you will be watched over, and fussed over, every minute you are there, by the staff, as a new donor. You'll get a cuppa or a cold drink afterwards, plus a sandwich, or crisps, or biscuits; then, in your own good time you can leave......you'll walk out a foot taller, with a smug look on your face!! If you chicken out at the last minute, there's no shame in that. You won't be the first person to do so, and you won't be the last! Good luck, whatever, Brian ;-D

brian a little squemish like me thenxxxx(:

I used to go but they asked me to give up because I always fainted afterwards. LoL.

Deanna - it's my pleasure! becx

To everyone wanting to give blood just go to their website www.blood*co*uk You'll find everything you need there, including the phone number where you can find out the dates for your area. 0845 7 711 711 If you were once told you can't give blood, it would be worth trying again because the guidelines change all the time. Go on - give it a try!!! Anne

LOL!!!if i am lying flat i should be alright.they have to lie me flat when i have a blood test as i am inclined to faint.my daughter had a blood test done and just looking at it made me feel alittle quesyxxxxx(:

I agree with Anne East - its the drop they take from your finger thats the worst bit. I've given about 20 pints so far and feel really good after I've done it. I even recently pursuaded my hubby to do it and he's already given 10 pints and got his bronze award. This was a major achievement for him cos he's absolutely terrified of needles. The first time he gave blood he felt really faint so the nurse raised the foot end of the bed he was lying on at which point he slid backwards down the bed and smacked his head on the wall behind him!!! Certainly took his mind off things!! I'd urge anyone that can to go along - you never know when you may need blood yourself.

Well thank you Bec, you could have been my saviour !!!! Deanna X

I am one of few people I know who do. It annoys me as it's such an easy way of helping people and yet some people just don't WANT to. Obviously everyone is entitled to do what they want but why not do something for other people? becx

Some who gave saved my life 3/12/01. I'd like to thank them. Allan used to give blood regularlly when he was younger. Deanna

I used to give blood regularly, but like Elaine gave up when I was pregnant. Would love to start again but I don't know when the mobile unit will be here. Does anyone know how you find out when they are visiting your area? Jeanette x

I not only used to give blood - but it was one of my jobs to organise and recruit donors when the mobile unit used to visit where I worked. It was wonderful feeling to be able to organise all donors of a particular blood group to donate during a set time period so that that blood could be whisked off for a pre-arranged destination. It really brought home just how life saving just a few minutes of your time can be. I am your common or garden O pos and this only ever applied to me once. A local hospital need gallons of the stuff for a heart/lung operation. Made me feel good? - too right it did! Well done Lisa for giving it serious thought - you WILL make a difference to somebody out there! Magsxx

I would like to but was told some years ago if you had glandular fever it was not possible. Jules

blood donors are life safers! when i gave birth to my son 3yrs ago i had serious complications, these resulted in me having to receive 20pints of blood!!!! my husband was told it was unlikely that i would survive. Thankfully i did survive, my husband still has his wife, my children still have a mother and my newborn son has not had to grow up never knowing who i am. All those people who give blood are incredible people! 20 people saved my life!!! A BIG THANKYOU TO ALL DONORS X

I was never able to be a donor because I was anaemic. To all those who are donors a very big thank you. My son had a serious accident and received 8 pints of blood, without blood donors he would not have survived so I have the best reason in the world to be grateful. Kathleen PS. Can't be a donor now - too old they tell me!!