Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

A question about : Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

I have been a regular blood donor since I was 18. It is really an amazing experience -giving your own blood for others who need it. It is interesting to note that not many people give blood regularly.

https://www.blood.co.uk/

for other countries, check out ur local Red Cross.

Blood Type: A+

Best answers:

• i am o+ and i only started giving blood after the london bombings it is a shame that it took something drastic but i am a regular donor now
  we should all give blood
• As much as its a worthy cause, some of the Blood Service's policies are quite controversial - in particular, who and who cannot donate. It would be nice to see them change their rules, although I cant see it happening any time soon.
  On a lighter note, I wrote an article for my uni's student newspaper when the Blood Service came for donations, and it was good to see people turning up. Even managed to get a gruesome picture published of someone mid-donation - he was well chuffed! Also managed to take the pee out of my flatmate's girlfriend (who also donated) much to her disgust
• I forgot to add that you'll be given free cups of tea and biscuits. tee hee
• My dad has acute myeloid leukaemia. Today he had 1 unit of red blood cells, tomorrow he will have another. Yesterday he had a platelet transfusion. Last week he had 2 units of red and a platelet transfusion. Looking back over the past two years with both leukaemia and non hodgkins lymphoma I reckon he has had more than 25 units of blood. My total donations to date are 28 so our family are just in credit - although I am a different group to him. He is A rh-, I am A rh+.
  Keep giving!
  Mike
• I used to give regularly but stopped when I fell pregnant. Would like to give again but I've heard that they test the blood for CJD and I'd rather not know as it might affect my chances for getting financial products if I'm positive and I also don't want to spend years knowing that I will eventually come to this dreadful illness. I can understand why they test the blood for this awful disease and I know it's very selfish of me but I don't think I could cope with a positive result. Am I being misinformed or being silly?
• Do they tell you the results of the tests they do? I've never heard a thing.
• I used to donate regularly but I got banned for being more trouble than I am worth LOL...I have low blood pressure and finding a good vein is always a struggle plus I nearly always fainted. I think I am too old now but anyway other health problems preclude me from donating again.
• I used to donate regularly then stopped due to pregnancies, young kids etc. Afraid I let it all lapse.
  Then a local charity started sponsoring blood donor sessions in memory of their young son who sadly died of leukeamia but whose life was prolonged by the many pints of blood he received.
  The blood donor sessions are really friendly and they even have home-made sandwiches! So now I'm a regular again.
  Blood group A+
• You only have to be 17
• I used to donate regularly, but when I gave birth to my ds I needed to receive 6 units so now I am unable to donate again, which is a shame as I would love to continue.
• I've donated twice now, been meaning to do it for years but with having Tattoo's, Piercings and then having 2 little boys I've only just been able to give
  I've even managed to pursude my Hubby to give.
  A-
• I would really love to give blood, the only problem is I'm really squeamish and it makes me feel funny just thinking about it. I should just pull myself together and be brave :P
  Turns out I can't give blood at the mo anyway because of piercings.
  I would really like to do it at least once, to know that I could've helped someone. My sister had multiple blood transfusions due to prematurity so it's about time I gave something back.
  Anyone got any brave blood giving advice for a few months time? (gulp!)
• I'm O+ but stopped donating 'cus it creeps me out too much
• isnt there a risk in giving blood?
• I used to donate but then they changed the rules and because i've had 2 transfusions in the past (1987 and 1995) they won't take it anymore. I'd be more than happy to donate. It's not as if i'm in a high risk group (both were due to pregnancy complications). It doesn't make me feel great thinking that they think i'm likely to pass something on!
  I gave for ages after having the transfusions until they brought in these new rules.