General Chat

This is for Glitter baby...... I have sent this by email as well as placing it here!! I really did not mean to offend anyone by my thread as I know there are many reasons why people do not give blood.... I was using your thread as the reason why I started mine and never for one minute intended it to be an attack on anyone!! Please forgive me if it came across wrong!! Please no-one else comment on this bit of the thread!! Lets keep it about Blood donation and bone marrow donation!!

Hi Canadian Teresa, The time span in UK is currently 16 weeks minimum. It was 16 weeks for women, 12 weeks for men, but they recently amended it to 16 weeks for both genders. Something to do with the 12 week period being found to be insufficient time for the haemoglobin (iron) levels of a number of male donors (me included!) to reach the regulation minimum level. Just remembered as a PS to my previous posting: I was told, by a nurse, when I last donated, that in the USA a person may donate (providing they meet all the usual health and safety criteria for both parties -- blood bank and donor) up to the age of 100 ! Is it the same in Canada? Brian, ;-)

I would give blood, but I'm diabetic and they don't want mine! My doctor says he'd be happy to be given my blood if necessary, but unfortunately the blood donation people say no. So I would if I could! Lisa

Both me and hubby give our blood. Hubby is O and i'm AB positive - like you Lindy!! Tracey x

Yes, I'm another one who cannot give blood any more. My husband was also a blood donor. We are now both too old, and not fit enough. My husband did receive some blood when we were in Spain, so has Spanish blood in him now. Sylvia xxx

I give regularly and recently managed to pursuade hubby who is petrified of needles that he should go along. He's just given his 10th pint!!! However he has to take our 6 year old with him to give him dutch courage!!! 6 year old doesn't mind though as he gets juice and biscuits at the end!!! and hopefully it will encourage him to do it when he's old enough. As for anti-depressents it depends what you're on. I was taking 20mg Citalopram a while back and that was fine.

It's heart warming to see so many donors.... those of you that have been putting it off for whatever reason, please do try.... every unit of blood is valuable especially if you are one of the most common blood groups like me.... I am lucky to have never needed it but who knows, one day I may need all I have given so far and thats more than a body holds normally!! :O)

Hi Brian; I just checked on the Canadian Blood Services web site to see who is eligible to donate. It states that first time donors have to be between 17 and 61, regular donors between 17 and 71. You can donate bone marrow until the age of 50 according to the site. I find this date a bit strange since they sent me a card on my 52 birthday in Sept saying that I was to contact them if my health did not allow me to donate marrow in the future. Maybe the rules have changed since then.

I used to give blood quite regularly (I'm A Rh Pos) but a few years ago, I went along to give some and after they tested the sample from my thumb, they told me I needed it more than they did, they said something about my iron count being too low. I think I will try to give blood again soon and see if they'll take it this time. Carolyn

I've tried on several occassions, but they won't let me "for my own good" coz of the pills I take. My wife has also tried, but they couldn't find a suitable vein. She came out badly bruised. So, we aint much good despite our best effforts!

first time I ever gave blood the nurse turned round and told me "If I don't like the sight of blood try to think of it as Ribena. Becuse I hate the sight of it, thats what I do". But now like Lisa I am a Diabetic so can't do it any more.

Some months ago, I decided I wanted to give blood. I waited for the next local session, then nervously went along. I had no idea where I was going, what to expect etc and when I walked through the door I was greeted with "new are you......yeh, looks like it!!!" My immediate thought was to tell him where to shove his pint of blood, but I bit my tongue and carried on. Unfortunately, when I was told I would have to wait at least an hour and a half before I was seen, I'm afraid that was enough for me and I left. I can normally cope with long waits, but having been humiliated first was just too much. I don't know how they expect to encourage new people to donate when their staff/volunteers make fun of newcomers who are clearly apprehensive. Perhaps this particular person had a warped sense of humour, and perhaps most others are a little more sympathetic and welcoming, but sadly I will never know for certain as I do not intend to put myself through that experience again. Lesley

I gave blood on a regular basis (5 times a year for 10 years) until they introduced new criteria (I live in continental Europe). Anyone who has lived in the UK for more than 6 months between 1980 and 1986 cannot give blood. This isn' t just in Europe though. Mates of mine in Aus & NZ say the same. Apparently the NHS import blood products from the USA for the same reason. Makes you wonder which government you should believe.

I do. Don't enjoy it as I tend to faint afterwards but it's worth a bit of discomfort for a good cause! becx

Yes & hubby too.

saddened to hear of the non-welcoming story.... they really are not like that!! :O)

no i don't like needles and am inclined to faint even at the sight of themxxxxx(:

I did used to give blood..... and I enjoyed doing it but due to tablets i am on i cannot at the present time and it annoys me somewhat..

When me and my hubby lived in England we use to give blood all the time but here in Canada we can not because of mad cows ? Debs.

For those on Bone Marrow registers and worrying in case needed, Don't, they do NOT have to take it the 'old way' anymore, basically they give you a course of injections which promotes stem cell growth, after a few days they hook you up to a machine and take blood from one arm it goes in to a machine where they harvest what they want from it then pump it back in to your other arm. Whole thing took about 4 hrs and apart from a needle in each arm and sitting on a bed for 4hrs not being able to move, it was easy. Recommended take a day off work next day then it was back to work. Please everyone get yourself on a 'Bone Marrow' Register you could make a big difference to someone. Anthony Nolan Trust is one of the better known ones.