General Chat

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, ;-)

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!!

Lorraine Thats great I didnt know that they had upped the age limit for bone marrow donation! So there is still a chance that I could geta couple of weeks off work

I made my first donation 49 years ago, when a National Serviceman. We were conned (!) actually. A mobile unit came to our camp and the 'reward' for volunteering was a bottle of brown ale, and the afternoon off from square-bashing!! For all that I have been going along ever since. My total is not as high as you may think. The occasional cold at the wrong time; a period of about 5 years when I contracted (a mild form of) hepatitis, and the rules were that once you had that disease you could never donate again (amended some years later, and I re-started); and more recently problems with my haemoglobin levels which are frequently borderline, sometimes under the acceptable limit, means that my total to date is a disappointing 65 donations. The rules on donating, at the present time (though under consideration by the NHS) are that a person may not donate once they reach the age of 70. Not too far away for me! I have written to the Health Secretary, John Reid M.P., asking why a perfectly fit and willing person can be allowed to donate at the age of 69 years, 364 days; but not on their 70th birthday! A reply from his secretary was explanatory, but not convincing. At a meeting in May 2004 a committee that oversees all aspects of blood donating/blood donors considered extending the upper age limit, but have yet to reach a decision. To anyone considering making a donation for the first time but, understandably, are nervous about going (believe me I still have butterflies when I go along), I say go for it. Obvious, I know, but a unit of blood (not a 'pint', never has been) can make all the difference to a desperately ill person, from new-born infant, through the whole age range to the eldest in the community. For me to waffle on about it 'not hurting' would be pointless...you've heard it all before. But I can assure you that you will be under the eagle eye of at least one nurse the whole time whilst you are at the centre. You don't have to see what is going on. And, best of all, after a marvellous cup of tea or coffee or squash; plus a sandwich, crisps, biscuits, you will leave the centre a foot taller and with a self-satisfied look on your face. Brian, ;-o)) like this

Diana - yes, I used to, then with various moves and upheavals, living abroad etc., I got out of the habit. My New Year Resolution No.1 is to start again!!

ive given 10 pints so far. The last being 10 years ago! Being O negative its widely used for all. Sadly on medication now but would love to donate again Elaine x

Hi Pat, I'm AB neg as well. I used to donate but have had several operations recently so they don't want it for now. Anybody remember Tony Hancock's The Blood Donor? A pint - that's very nearly an armful? Gwynne

I used to, for the past 20 years, but now they have decided mine isn't suitable as I have had blood transfusions in the past (related to childbirth). Don't think I have mad cow disease myself, but, just in case, I can't give blood!!

Maggie the age limit on bone marrow donation is 40

Hi Diana; I am a regular donor too. In Canada we are allowed to donate every 56 days and since I am O neg I try to keep to that schedule. I can't do Phresis (spelling) as my veins are too small. Teresa

I would love to give my blood but they won't have me, (oh and its not because its too contaminated with Guinness lol)but I also havent enough for myself. I'm A B Negative so I know they would have been glad to have a donor with my blood type, seen as I am supposed to be in the exclusive 3% of the Population catagory. I do admire the people who give blood on a regular basis. Pat x

wud luv to give blood but they wont have mine !!

I did donate several times when I was younger. Unfortunately, I would love to be able to donate (several family members have benefited from donated blood) but they won't accept me. I had the Epstein Barr virus (led to glandular fever) and now I have ME which includes an iron deficiency. If any of you more recent donors know if the rules have changed, please let me know! Mandy :)

HI, I gave blood for the first time this year, better late than ever i suppose but I do wish I'd done it years ago in between tattoos and babies. Kerry

I dont think its the amount of pints that you give that is important but the fact that you do it! Another worthwhile one is when you go every six weeks to your blood centre and have red blood cells removed! I know this sounds weird but we can reproduce these cells at a fast rate! In fact your body wouldnt realise they were missing. What happens then is that your red cells are used for people undergoing treatment for cancer (mainly chemo). The blood just gets immediately put back into your body minus the red cells. In a healthy person these cells reproduce in a matter of hours. It is well worth doing! Well I think so anyway Bev

Also on the bone marrow register, but think that I may be too old now, does anyone know what the age limit is?

I usually give every 3 months and they come to our work but they won't take it this month as my surgery is not complete and that is one of their stipulations apparently.... Well done to your hubby who's on his 50th pint... I'm along way behind him!! :O) Anti-depressants..... not sure if I am honest but you could get hubby to ask for you!! Bone Marrow register.... yep me too... I will admit to hoping I never get called but I will do it if need be!!

Yes Diana, I also give blood and have done since I was 18 years old. Have now given 40+ donations. My hubby and daughter also give blood, in fact my daughter was in Madrid at the time of the bombings in March, and went along to give blood there thinking that at least she was helping in some way. The only person that won't go is my 6ft 4in tall rugby playing son!! (Wimp) Maggy

Nice thread Diana.. I give blood regularly. The only time I missed was when I had a tattoo done, for obvious reasons. I am also registered as a bone marrow donor. I hate needles and such but my way of thinking was if my son needed a blood transfusion/bonor marrow how could I expect someone else to donate when I wasnt prepared to do so myself!!

I do Diana. Always go when they send a letter, unless, of course, I'm unwell, but do go asap. My eldest daughter donates as well, now that the service has sorted out their act. We lived in Africa for a while and because we've both had malaria have had to have their special malaria test. Apparently the results of a test carried out by the School of Tropical Medicine test wasn't good enough. Due to go this month sometime.