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!

[sherrardk]

Don't give blood as I am a coward but I am on the bone marrow transplant register as I have not very common blood (so I should give blood - I know!).

[poodicat]

Yes sherradk you should,i have a rarer blood group also,dont be afraid its painless

[sherrardk]

Can you give blood after having (suspected) glandular fever?

[poodicat]

Doubt it,buts it only suspected ?,they would ask you questions and also give you a wee blood test before you gave blood

[chokkie]

I used to give blood, but don't anymore. I always used to feel quite off-colour everytime I gave a "pint", so eventually gave up.

[puternut]

I gave blood regularly until my non-insulin diabetes became tablet controlled and not just diet.

I told the blood transfusion people to take me off their list and was given an 'OK we'll do it' no form of thanks, no confirming letter ad rather a bad feeling after trying to do my bit for 20 years or so

[my4ds]

used to give blood but dropped below acseptable weight and now have a blood condition so cant donate anymore.

[carmalee]

used to cos have a rare blood group but after chemo it's not acceptable which is a shame cos as well as doing my bit, I always felt so much better afterwards. Also was told that my blood group was used a lot for jaundiced babies which was a nice to think I was helping in that way..

[carmalee]

where did that extra 'a' come from?

[ummmm]

How do you go about giving blood? I've never done it but would be willing to.

[my4ds]

have a look on the blood bank web site for your local meeting and just go down.i hated needles ummmm till i started donating.its the best thing i have done in ages.

[my4ds]

http://www.blood.co.uk/

try this link ummmm

[ummmm]

Cheers my4ds......There is one 1.1 miles from me on Friday.

[rowanwitch]

Due to the reason my husband left I can't under the spouse or partner of the above rule...
Actually its those with O neg who should be making an extra effort to donate as you can give this blood to anyone in an emergency (universal donor) rare groups are more an issue if you need to have a blood transfusion

[ummmm]

I did the test. Are there any rules on drinking or smoking before giving blood?

I don't mean drinking on the day you give blood....how long before though?

[joeluke]

I give blood every 4 months

More people should do it, it's painless and you are only there about half an hour....plus you never know when you might need blood yourself

[paddywak]

I donated my first pint in 1966 and continued up to 2001, when I had to stop after a stroke and I personally never had a problem, though to be honest I do know the rare person whodid. Unlike puternut shortly after telling them that I would be unavailable in the future and why I recieved a very nice letter thanking me for my past donations and wishing me well or the future. Sherrardk, if you've a rare group please contact the transfusion Service they'll tell you if it's ok to give blood and they're always need the common groups let alone the rarer ones and as poodicat says it doesn't hurt

[my4ds]

i dont think there is any rules as such on the smoking or the drinking ummmm.

go down and ask on the night.good luck.

[sara3]

yes, regularly since I was 18, excluding periods after pregnancies/birth/ops/illnesses.

I think most people would give blood for someone they knew if they were asked directly.. so why not give it for someone you don't know?