Giving Blood question...

[Andrew_C]

I'm near 50 donations now, having taken years to "get around to it". I'll second/third/whatever the advice to get a lift first time around. Don't rush it, nice chat with the nurses and a cup of tea/coffee afterwards. Go for the hot drink; it slows you down!

 

It really is easy to make a real difference to someone's life; I commend it to you all!

[Rawns]

Well, I had my second attempt yesterday and it was a success. Apparently my middle veins are still hidden so they had to pick a side vein which are more likely to move. After having 3 nurses check my arms for about 5 minutes, they finally gave it a go and got the required pint(ish). However when they sat me up, I did almost pass out with major light headedness. They say it's usually likely to happen the first time, but after 10 minutes of lying down, I was fine again. Disappointed though as they were packing up when I was ready for a drink, and they only had squash. Could have murdered a brew!!! It's a nice feeling though, knowing you may have helped save someones life.

[Danp]

I donate 4 times a year. Although I have had to take a break due to getting another tattoo

[RabbieBurns]

I tried to give blood here but they wouldnt accept it. BSE epidemic in the UK rules me out

 

Im gonna be in the UK for a couple of days soon ... how can I find out about giving blood please?

[Rawns]

Im gonna be in the UK for a couple of days soon ... how can I find out about giving blood please?

 

Give Blood - do something amazing give Blood

 

All the info you need.

[RabbieBurns]

Give Blood - do something amazing give Blood

 

All the info you need.

 

It kicks me out here...

 

Question 24

Have you been outside the UK (including business) in the last 12 months?

 

So I cant give blood here coz ive lived in the UK and I cant give blood in the UK cos Ive not been in the UK.

[Rawns]

It kicks me out here...

 

So I cant give blood here coz ive lived in the UK and I cant give blood in the UK cos Ive not been in the UK.

 

Can I give blood?

 

Travel abroad

 

Please wait 6 months after returning from a malarial area before giving blood. Please also tell us if you have visited Central/South America at any time. (Those who've had Malaria, or an undiagnosed illness associated with travel, may not however be able to give blood.)

 

If you are unsure please call our 24 hour donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23.

 

Unless you've been to somewhere listed there, may be worth ringing to get conformation if you can/can't donate?

Edited September 12, 2012 by Rawns

[RabbieBurns]

Okay cool, dont think we have malairia here

[Ergo]

Yer I know thanks - will be stepping it up after my next donation.

@witch - O neg here too - you're quite right about it being universal, hence why it is useful in emergencies when there is no time to cross-match a patient (apparently this happens with babies sometimes). The downside for us is we can only have O neg blood, and we're only 7% of the population! Interestingly I'm sure I read somewhere that with platelets the situation is reversed and we can have any group, but ours is only useful to others with O Neg...

@Netman not sure what you are saying about O Neg and Platelets is correct - I've been a platelet donor (and am O Neg) for about 5 years now and not heard that, but will certainly ask next time I'm there!

 

Give Blood - Blood Group Basics is a good source of information on blood

 

Dave

[tech_guy]

I give blood everyday - I work in IT in education....

 

[NDW]

I have recently signed up to give platelets.. Had a call yesterday and I now have an appointment on the 30th.... :S bit worried now to be honest - anybody know what it’s like?

[Garacesh]

I've been meaning to give blood for a while now.. Mrs. Garacesh has done it plenty and I've always figured it's something I probably ought to do. Does it matter if you don't know your blood type? Do you have to be sent for a bunch of tests first to find out if your blood is okay? (no drugs, STI's, etc) or do they just take a pint(ish) as if you were giving normally and then test that? And can you pick your own appointment time so you don't have to take a day off work?

[6Foot2]

I've been meaning to give blood for a while now.. Mrs. Garacesh has done it plenty and I've always figured it's something I probably ought to do. Does it matter if you don't know your blood type? Do you have to be sent for a bunch of tests first to find out if your blood is okay? (no drugs, STI's, etc) or do they just take a pint(ish) as if you were giving normally and then test that? And can you pick your own appointment time so you don't have to take a day off work?

 

Doesn't matter if you don't know your blood group.

If you are fit enough on the day you can donate. During the donation they take samples for testing later.

On your first donation you will normally give a full donation.

If you want to make an appointment You can pick your time [within reason]

[Rawns]

Nope. They tell you. Was my (successful) first time yesterday. You have to fill out a form with a number of health questions, then they prick your finger and take a drop of blood to drop into a solution. If it sinks, it means your iron count is fine and you can donate. They took a (almost) full pint from me and drew a little extra off to test for infections, viruses etc. They also use it to find your blood type. Apparently I'll receive my doner card in the post and it will tell me my blood group.

[Ergo]

I have recently signed up to give platelets.. Had a call yesterday and I now have an appointment on the 30th.... :S bit worried now to be honest - anybody know what it’s like?

 

I give platelets every 4 weeks and if I am honest prefer it to giving whole blood. The process is the same with some minor differences:

You are sat up while donating

The blood is removed, goes through the machine and you get most back (except the platelets)

Because you loose very little whole blood (about 100ml I believe) you are less likely to feel light headed/faint after donating

You can feel the machine return blood to you, but it is not painful/unpleasant or anything like that

You get drinks & snacks brought to you while donating

It can take a while (30-90 minutes per donation depending on individual)

Take something to entertain you which you can do with one hand (reading a book can be difficult!)

[NDW]

I give platelets every 4 weeks and if I am honest prefer it to giving whole blood. The process is the same with some minor differences:

You are sat up while donating

The blood is removed, goes through the machine and you get most back (except the platelets)

Because you loose very little whole blood (about 100ml I believe) you are less likely to feel light headed/faint after donating

You can feel the machine return blood to you, but it is not painful/unpleasant or anything like that

You get drinks & snacks brought to you while donating

It can take a while (30-90 minutes per donation depending on individual)

Take something to entertain you which you can do with one hand (reading a book can be difficult!)

 

Thanks, think i will read a book on my galaxy note... im quite looking forward to it

Edited September 12, 2012 by NDW
Typo ;)

[Garacesh]

Take something to entertain you which you can do with one hand (reading a book can be difficult!)

.... I am a terrible, terrible person xD

 

Hmm, I will certainly look into giving blood then, if I can schedule getting home from work, eating, then making it to wherever it is I need to go. Unless you're able to give blood on Weekends.. I shall consult the website when I get home later to get more info.

[Andrew_C]

As far as I'm aware they don't do week-ends.

 

An enlightened employer would allow you time to go and donate. Some big companies invite the team to visit them!