How many of you are blood donors?

[mears]

I successfully gave blood today after being knocked back for the past 2 years because of being anaemic (problem now solved due to curing of heavy periods - thankyou Tranexamic Acid).

DS1 who was 17 yrs old last month also went and donated for the first time. DH is also a donor.

The leaflet that came asking us to doates says that only 6% of people in AScotland are donors which is really shocking.

Many of you will not be able to donate because you are pregnant or have babies under 1 year - but do your partners or relations donate?

2 of my babies needed blood transfusions, women sometimes need blood after giving birth. DS's friend needed blood after his operation to remove the tumour from his knee.
I bet we all know of someone who has needed blood. Do the majority of peolpe just take it for granted that it will be there when needed?

Next time you see an advert for blood donors - encourage someone you know even if you can't go yourself.

[Northerner]

Good for you Mears. I too am a donor and have been since I was 18. It is something I feel very passionate about and annoys me that people don't do it because they simply don't like the thought of it - as many people have said to me.

I always encourage people to do it, it is such a simple procedure taht really saves lives. And you really feel that done something meaningful afterwards.

[mears]

My son is so chuffed with himself. He felt fine and actually did it in his lunch break from school. He was 10mins late going back but walked in proudly with his bandage round his arm like a medal

[bossykate]

i feel rather ashamed of myself that i've never done this before especially as i'm o neg - the universal donor. will make an effort when i can which will be in about - 15m time.

[mears]

In the meantime Bossykate you can encourage your DH to go since you are out of commission

[Slinky]

I've been giving blood for years (since I was 18) with breaks when I've had babies. Incidently, the rules have been changed and you can now give blood when the baby is 9 months.

I'm a real "give blood" nag and always mention it to other people.

And well done, Mears

[Slinky]

BK

I'm O Neg too - very important blood group

[WSM]

I haven't done it previously, due to being too young or too anaemic, too pregnant, or too early post-natal. I will certainly make the effort to do it next time the opportunity arises.

[bossykate]

he's been a blood donor for years - but i don't think he's gone recently. i'll remind him. cue remarks about me already having had pound of flesh - hoho.

[WSM]

I'm A+

[Twinkie]

I have done it since I was a young adult with break for baby and now wil have to break for this one.

[oliveoil]

My sister has done for years but I was always scared of needles so wussed out. Pregnancy and birth have cured me of that (was pin cushion for a few days) so remind me in a year!

[bundle]

have done this for years except when pregnant/breastfeeding - I got a badge some years back but can't remember how many pints it was for
I always went with my mum & dad as a child so never found it that scary, although I'm not a fan of needles, iyswim

[jodee]

I'm O r.neg too, and donated for the first time this year, kept putting it off before.

[hmb]

I find it hard to get to the seesions nowerdays, but I am a donor. I used to donate plama and platelets at one point. I'm dead common O rh +ve, but I have given almost 60 units (they credit you twice for plasm).

[roisin]

I've been a donor since I was 18, but they don't want mine any more Something about being born in and living in Africa, and risk of malaria, and no reliable test.

[Lisa78]

Am not allowed Am hypoglycaemic, anaemic and pre-pg, didn't weigh very much. I've tried to donate three times, each time ended up in hospital (getting more back than I put in!). So they said thanks, but no thanks and I haven't tried again!
But am on bone marrow register Mears, they'll take that from me but not blood??? Go figure

[luckymum]

I've given 25 times despite three pregnancys and two lots of surgery. Now can't give having had a transfusion (I think but can't be sure??) post 1980. Dh is now going to have to go more often

[Thomcat]

I'm a donor but have to say that I haven't given for a while now and it's time to get myself back to the donor clinic so thankls for the reminder.

[MadameButterfly]

I am a donor too. I started about 12 years ago and have given about 18 pints now. I just started again last summer after having DD.
The NBS were the first to know I was pregnant after DP) as the letter came in the week after I had done the test.

[Tommy]

I am although haven't given since before pg with DS1 so will get on with it as soon as I can after DS2 (is it 9months?)

[Jaybee]

I am but a bit irregular since moving over here - will try and sort out next date now I have had my wrist slapped - I am the selfish blood group - AB+ - can't give to many but can have anyone's.

[gingernut]

My dh has given blood, but hasn't been for a while now...I shall remind him. I never have because I am too small apparently...also pg at the moment. I never knew my blood group till I got pg and discovered I am O negative, so once I am done with having babies I am going to go along as I know O neg blood is so vital to the service (and I am bigger (girth-wise!) than I used to be, so they might let me).

[AussieSim]

They make me feel very unwelcome when I go as my blood runs out so slowly they usually give up before they have a full bag. I don't know if it is related to my low blood pressure (90/60). I am not a special blood type or anything so I guess they find it not worth their while or something. AND it does make me feel a bit paranoid when they come and check on me and don't make any comment, but just look annoyed - makes me worry that there is something wrong with me.

[wordgirl]

Wow, that is so spooky. I have just been today for the first time in years and was just wondering the very same thing!
I have rubbish veins and when I was having all those pregnancy blood tests it was sometimes a struggle to get any out of me. But the Blood Donor people are super efficient at it and it was completely painless. I will be doing my bit to encourage more people to do it (starting with dh) as I know they need more donors because of the new restrictions on people who have had transfusions.

[mears]

You only need to weigh 7 stone and be 17 years old or over. You can donate till you are 70 but cannot becone a new donor after 60.