National Blood Week...... Will you?

[jefmcg]

I used to donate monthly* when I lived in Australia, but since moving to the UK in '99 I've given only 2 or 3 times. It always seems much more of a pfaff to do it here, but it was smooth and simple in Australia.

*Monthly because I donated plasma(apheresis), which you could do weekly if they allowed it with no ill effects. Kind of cool attached to a machine that whizzed your blood around and then returned all your red cells leaving each person sitting next to what looked like a bag of urine. Product is used for clotting factors, burn victims (the liquid that fills a blister and pours off a worse burn is blood plasma), vaccines (I had high tetanus antibody levels due to getting an unneeded booster) etc and never goes to waste. Made me feel very good to do. Started doing this after a holiday to a malarial area, as they can heat treat plasma, but not whole blood: unless you want black pudding!

 

[martint235]

Strange, never experienced that. Give it another go though, it's all for a great cause

I know and I do keep trying. My local place must just be very popular!

 

[Maz]

Cycled into town, gave blood and cycled back, reverse Tdf style

Do I like that!
You aint no dope, machew.

 

[User482]

I used to give blood many years ago, even though I nearly passed out the first 3 times!(Feet up on a box, cold flannel on the forehead and a nurse fanning me with a piece of cardboard) Then after a few years I got a letter asking me not to donate anymore as their tests had shown false reactions for the last 3 donations. They assured me that upon further testing there was nothing wrong with me, but after a reaction they couldn't use my blood.
Fast forward about 8 or 10 years and I received a letter saying that they have new tests now so would I donate again, which I have. So far, so good!

I was the same, and I still felt fuzzy the next morning. Cycling back from the session was pretty stupid, too.

 

[guitarpete247]

I don't think cycling back is a good idea unless you have a good few hours to recover (like donate in the morning at work). They always suggest No Strenuous exercise for several hours. I have not learnt to ride without putting in as much Strenuous effort as I can .
I'd only cycle back if roads were flat and I good learn to chill a bit more.

 

[machew]

I don't think cycling back is a good idea unless you have a good few hours to recover (like donate in the morning at work). They always suggest No Strenuous exercise for several hours. I have not learnt to ride without putting in as much Strenuous effort as I can .
I'd only cycle back if roads were flat and I good learn to chill a bit more.

That's the advantage of cycling a recumbent, you are so laid back when you cycle. And having three wheels means that you can't fall off the bike

,

 

[Christopher]

I give platelets. Takes about 2 chuffin hours but you can cycle fine after - did Lancaster to preston after the last one. In theory you can donate every 4 weeks but I do about every 8.
Actually the tests on iron levels I find handy as mine are often low - have been suspended from donations a few times for that and been told to eat more steak (which I don't like much), chick peas etc.

 

[gambatte]

I may pop down again.
I've had 2 periods where I went for a few sessions. The first about 25 years ago. The waiting bugged me and I gradually stopped going.
I started again about 5-10 years ago. I tried the appointment system, but having waited for 45 mins, I gave my donation and stopped going. I know its a worthwhile cause and all, but...
Times precious too. I've a wife, looking after 3 young lads at home. If anything happened to those 3 lads I'd be grateful to any donor who gave up their time, but if supplies are low reducing waiting periods would be a good place to start, to get people in the chair.

 

[Tim Hall]

Make the effort, go on. I've given 65 times I think. And every time there's something different I swear. Different bed layout, water to drink or not and so on. Last time there was a new card to read about buttock clenching exercises while giving.

 

[LarryDuff]

Will be giving blood next week. I'll do anything for a free cuppa and biccies.

 

[Matthew_T]

How do you get into donating blood? Is it just at your local GP?

 

[gambatte]

BLOOD.CO.UK

 

[guitarpete247]

Last 2 sessions I've been to we had these new chairs.

When I first started we all got local from the same multi-dose gun. Then were offered the choice of having an injection (needle) then the needle or just the needle. Don't get that offer anymore (I never went for it).
There's something new every time.

 

[Spinney]

It's obviously different in different parts of the country! We've still got the stretcher-type thingies that they can prop up at one end, and nary a sign of buttock clenching! (oo, er, missis)

 

[smokeysmoo]

It's obviously different in different parts of the country! We've still got the stretcher-type thingies that they can prop up at one end, and nary a sign of buttock clenching! (oo, er, missis)

+1 Some parts of our area have got the chairs apparently, but the donor carer I was talking to the other night said they need to get new vehicles before they can switch to the chairs, it doesn't make sense to me.

If they can fit X amount of beds in the vehicle(s) they have now why can't they fit the chairs in instead?

She said the chairs are in a warehoue ready to go as well, but in the meantime we've still got the beds that feel like they're going to collapse under you, (I've never seen one collapse TBH, but they do feel that way).