Just curious, how many blood donors do we have?

[ikarl]

Just gave blood today and it's a cause close to my heart, literally!

In April 2009 I had to undergo chemo and have a small operaton for a 'little bit' of skin cancer. I was very lucky in that it was noticed very early, treated very well and the support I got from the Cancer care we have in Scotland was absolutely 1st class. Whilst in for the operaton though, which was supposed to be pretty simple, there were a few complications and I had to have a 'top-up' of the good stuff.

I've only just this month been told I can start donating again so I went and gave my donation earlier, what I would like to say is a big thank you to any that give blood as without you, I may not have made it through the op

Oh, and for those people who don't donate blood can I ask why not? That's not being judgemental at all, just curious as to what puts you off doing it?

Karl

[max1966]

Oh I've a good excuse...............I gave for years and then they changed the acceptable hemoglobin level for male donations, I unfortunately fall below this threshold...........now if I was female, (no, not that) I would be ok.

If you have it in you to give you really should consider it, won't take long, you will feel better for it and who knows someone out there might feel all the better for it also

And if needles worry you, stop being such a jessie.

[alicrozier]

I have given blood regularly in the past but (infrequent) trips to Africa have meant 12 months out then a malaria test so haven't given for a while. Normally platelets too...

Nicola was keen but she can't give without passing out.

[jen]

This is something I must do. I feel awful and very embarrassed for not doing it sooner, and I will go and do something about it during my holidays. My husband (Alan) needed a blood transfusion when he lost 2 thirds of his blood after slicing his brachial artery into two in an accident with a circular saw last summer. He was down to 5 units, and after getting him back up to the minimum safe level of 8, they took the remaining blood in the bag away as it is so precious.

Im off to see where and when to go....... Thanks for the reminder!

Jen

[alicrozier]

Email sent Jen, donation at the office 26th Oct...

[jen]

I'm back to school then though. going to phone to book in for next week at Forresterhill.

[jen]

That's me booked in for next thurs at 11.30 in Foresterhill.

[rossybee]

Something I had meant to do for years, so seeing as I 'celebrated' a milestone birthday in Feb, I went and did it, and am so glad I did

The staff were extremely friendly, welcoming, and thankful

Now trying to get the wife to go and she's keen, but is sh1t-scared of the whole needle/light-headedness worries, regardless of me telling her it's really quite a pleasant experience!

[Rich H]

I keep meaning to go again, been several times in the military but not been since.

Trouble I have is the nice comfy(ish) warm bed in the middle of the afternoon I tend to have a snooze.... Let me sleep for a few mins FFS I'm not dead!

[tut]

I used to give blood regularly, sometimes even when I would rather not have done, but last time that I went they asked me to come back when I had more blood in my alcohol system.

Also nowadays, I should probably keep what I have left.

tut

[alicrozier]

at Rich

I remember the first time I went, gave me wooden dowel to grip a few times to get the vein up. Worked no problem, needle in, donating away but nobody told me to stop gripping the dowel...5 mins later the bag was full! Bloke at the next bed was there half an hour.

[ikarl]

I think it was my 2nd visit to the Van, the nurse gave me a nice cup of tea and said I could help myself to a biscuit...didn't realise she only meant 1 or 2, by the time she came back I had pretty much eaten the lot

[Mike Scib]

Myself and Lynda having been giving blood for about 5 years now.

I even have a gold card, 0- blood type

[rossybee]

I nearly received a cup of coffee, but being my 1st time it's a big no-no!

Had to make do with a few OJs to go with my biccies

[meatball]

I feel bad but I'm not allowed, I had post viral fatigue syndrome in 2007, they say it'd be dangerous for me.
Sorry