blood

[Guest]

i have decided to start donating blood as my dad has to have a triple heart bypass and apparently a lot of heart operations need blood, so i wondered how many of you donate blood and if so is it on a regular basis? i have just been looking on the national blood donor website and it is amazing what they use your blood for.

andrea

[Sara_toga]

Hi Andrea

I have thought about giving blood many times as I had to have a blood transfusion after the birth of my first daughter and my youngest daughter had open heart surgery when she was 11 days old and had to be given lots of blood.

I then found out that if you have been given blood you can't donate.

I think its a great thing to do and so easy but its something that people take for granted.

Lynn

[Bob_and_Dawn]

I don't know exactly where you live Andrea, but there is a session on at Lemington Community Centre, Newcastle tommorrow evening, or you can go any time to the Blood Donor centre at Barrack Road near the BBC.

Bob

[Guest]

thanks bob but i am more than 1hr away from newcastle. next session near to me is Monday10th Jan so i will be there and hopefully my dh will come too.

Lynn you are so right people do take it for granted that if you need blood they will have plenty, i gave blood once about 12yrs ago but i feel ashamed that i didn't go back again so let's hope by becoming a regular doner i can make up for it

[Guest]

I have donated blood on and off for around 15 years, but haven't for a while. Over the last ten years or so they have brought in a lot more restrictions. I obviously couldn't for a year or so after giving birth and while feeding my babies. After one donation when I was sitting at the table having my free cuppa cha, I feinted! Very embarrassing!

[Guest]

Originally posted by 2BoysMum&Dad
After one donation when I was sitting at the table having my free cuppa cha, I feinted! Very embarrassing!

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that happened to someone when i went, i think that's what put me off

[Guest]

Originally posted by andi30
that happened to someone when i went, i think that's what put me off

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Maybe that was me!

[Guest]

LOL

[Guest]

Please don't be put off anyone...I started giving blood after my American friends lost their darling 3 year old son to cancer ten years ago. It only takes about an hour of your time every six months and every donation is vital. If you are the sort of person that finds giving makes you feel faint, you can ask to give a smaller donation rather than a full unit. Every drop helps.

Diane

[Guest]

You are right Diane. In fact, I heard you can give even more frequently if you just donate white blood cells (I think that's right?).

Very sorry to hear about your friends' son. Get out there everyone, it's easy and you are looked after very well - honest.