Do You Give Blood ?

[poodicat]

I have lapsed due to a lack of iron,but will be donating again when my iron levels are ok!

[joggerjayne]

I do too.

I go 3 times a year.

It is painless (except for the blood test at the beginning where they pr!ck the side of your finger!!!!!).

[paddywak]

Ummmm, I don't know what the policy is now but with regard to smoking and drinking but I remember that they used to recommend that you didn't smoke or drink for at least an hour after donating., However I used to donate on a Sunday morning session and the local pub used to be full of people with the tell tale plaster smoking like chimnies and replenishing their body liquids

[zzxxee]

i have done in the past but not for a while

[joggerjayne]

I don't recall any questions any questions on the form about smoking, so the are no restrictions.

If you have recently been on holiday to Africa and had unprotected sex with a stranger, then you have to tick "Yes" to that question.

Happily, travelling to Switzerland and having lots and lots of unprotected sex with someone who was a stranger until last year ... is not a problem.

LOL

=0)

[Eve]

I did regularly but they won't take mine anymore due to autoimmune issues and being on immunosuppressants.

I wish I could again and pop in every now and again just in case the situation has changed as living in Leeds and Manchester was so handy as they have an actual centre to go to rather than just sessions.

It was a shame that they were limited in open hours though as if you work a normal 9-5 weekdays then you can only go lunchtimes which is when they are busiest and they don't open weekends. Shame more workplaces don't give time off to give blood as it is so quick.

I'm sure if they went round a lot of the big city firms and got them to allow staff the time to go and give blood they would get a great uptake.

I tried to do platelets too back when I could give blood but I don't have enough.

It's so sad that so many of the people who want to can't and vice versa.

[TheOtherHalf]

I first donated in about 1968 and am still giving it. I only go for the tea and bikkies !

[joggerjayne]

I just have a glass of water and nick one of the little furry creatures that you stick on top of your screen, and a "blood group" keyring.

Does anyone need an O+ keyring? I've got loads.

[Greedyfly]

I would love to but never seem to be able. Either just recently had a piercing or had surgery etc... I don't even know what blood type I am.

[joggerjayne]

My veins are not shy, red.

I'm a "gusher" (apparently)

[yogasun]

Both mr ys and myself were regular donors until they brought in the 'no blood if you've had a transfusion since 1980' rule (that applied to me as I had one in 1983 after birth of first son) and then mr ys developed polymyalgia rheumatica and has been on steroids ever since. We were gutted but it was offset by son no. 2 becoming a regular donor :0)

[momac]

I used to give blood and it always made me feel healthy the day after,once when I got there it was discovered that i was anaemic,however I asked them if I could still give some explaining why,The nurse took half a pint while I was sat in a chair then threw the blood away.

[momac]

Giving blood always made me feel very healthy the day after.

[lardhelmet]

I can't - I'm anaemic or something boring. Bit of a swizz really

[sara3]

I have low iron, but anaemia doesn't stay with you for life.

momac, that's bizarre.. never heard anything like that before!