The first ever Sheffield Forum Blood Donation week is here!!
25th-29th April 2005 at Cathedral Court (near Sheffield Cathedral)

For one week only (25th-29th April) Sheffield Forum will be promoting the National Blood Service by inviting all you generous forumers to attend a blood giving session at Cathedral Court (bottom of West Street). This event will run from Monday to the Friday and you can attend Cathedral Court on any day you wish (preferably in the week slot allocated).

If you can attend then please:

Print off this note and hand it to reception (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/misc/blood-donor.gif) (it will help us gauge the response).

I would be grateful if you could seriously consider attending this event providing you are able to give blood. If you aren’t sure please visit the National Blood Service website (www.blood.co.uk) for further information. Also, if you know of anyone (colleagues, family, or friends) that would like to donate then please invite them along too. There will be a level of attention from local press so the more people we get down there the better!

Remember, you get free tea and biscuits for taking part. Not a bad return for saving someone’s life! If you have any further questions please feel free to pm me.

Hope to see you there!

DD.

I used to give and I'd like to do it again. Anyone know if it's allowed when someone's on medication to control their blood pressure? Probably not a good idea for me really.

Erm, too late, I donated this afternoon, so can't go again for another few months!

But will try and spread the word and get some friends along!

used to give blood but had to stop for a while after I had a transfusion a few years ago...anyone know how long it is before you can restart???

Not sure about high blood pressure or transfusions, but im sure you'll get the answer you need on the NBS website.

According to the website here (http://www.blood.co.uk/pages/flash_questions.html) , if you've had a transfusion since 1980 then you are not eligible to donate.

It doesn't hurt to phone though. I've failed on one of the questions but after interview and because I have one of the less common blood groups they said OK.

0845 7 711 711

Are they looking for any blood type? Or just the rare types??

(pardon my ignorance if I'm wrong but blame my mother for this :P)

How about also considering going on the Bone Marrow Register a simple blood test will show if you are able to.

I was on the Anthony Nolan register but unfortunately when you reach 40 you can no longer be on it!!!

I don't know if you can request to be put on the register at the same time as giving blood.

Originally posted by IanMitchell
Are they looking for any blood type? Or just the rare types??

(pardon my ignorance if I'm wrong but blame my mother for this :P)

Any blood type is welcome especially the most common as those are the most used.

I should be about ready to donate again by then, but since the last time I was there I have been put on some medication so I will check to see if i'm ok to donate first.

I shall be there DD, think I am about ready for my next donation of the red stuff!!! Bring it on! :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Dick Dastardly
Any blood type is welcome especially the most common as those are the most used.

Ok and my final question

Do you have to be 18+ to give blood??

Originally posted by IanMitchell
Ok and my final question

Do you have to be 18+ to give blood??

Nope, you have to be between 17 and 59.

Right then!

I'll be there!

Right- im going to go for my first time diring that week- wish me luck- have always wanted to do it but have been too scared to!!!!!

if you have a drink after you get ****** really quickly don't you?

Well done to everyone who said they will donate if they can, especially the first timers! :thumbsup: It's really not that bad.

Might bump into each other there - I may even wear my SF t-shirt! :)

Anyone else coming? Roll up, roll up...

Originally posted by pussycat
Well done to everyone who said they will donate if they can, especially the first timers! :thumbsup: It's really not that bad.

Might bump into each other there - I may even wear my SF t-shirt! :)

Anyone else coming? Roll up, roll up...


I think I might do

I've never donated blood before (I'm only 17) and I'm a weee bit nervous lol!

Originally posted by IanMitchell
I think I might do

I've never donated blood before (I'm only 17) and I'm a weee bit nervous lol!

im well nervous too mate - its worth it tho!!!

Scottf and IanMitchell:

I have two hands - you can hold one each if you need to.

PM me if you want to meet up and all go at the same time - same goes for anyone else who's feeling nervous and/or doesn't want to go on their own.

thanks pussycat, i might need that hand of yours!!! :D

Thanks Scottf and IanMitchell for volunteering especially as you both have never done this before. Much appreciated!! I hope other forum members will follow your example and decide to come along too.

If you want to donate, but don't fancy going on your own then, as Pussycat mentioned, you can send either of us a pm. Note, if you intend going with a group I'd be grateful if you could keep the number down to about 10 members at any one time as to avoid swamping the centre.

Hi. It's great to see that so many of you are interested in giving blood.

I work in Marketing at the National Blood Service, and am happy to personally answer any questions about giving blood that you might have. My work e-mail address is rachel.white@nbs.nhs.uk.

yeah- do we get a plaster afterwards?

Originally posted by scottf
yeah- do we get a plaster afterwards?

Serious questions, scottf. And, yes you do get a plaster provided you aren't allergic to them.

Some extra information about why it's important to go and give blood.

The National Blood Service needs to collect 9000 blood donations everyday in order to meet hospital demand. Blood components have a limited shelf-life and platelets, which are a vital part of blood, only last for five days, so the NBS has to rely on a regular supply of blood throughout the year.

The donor centre in Sheffield is open from 09:00 - 16:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 12:00 - 19:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays so there's plenty of time for you to fit in a visit.

Again, thanks to all that have volunteered so far, but we still need more people to come forward and make a difference.

I am really sorry, but I am not permitted to donate, as I am an insulin dependent diabetic.

I believe it's something about the insulin antibodies triggering an allergic reaction in the recipient, or something daft like that.

good luck with the blood--drive, it's a really worthy cause.

PT

Originally posted by scottf
if you have a drink after you get ****** really quickly don't you?

Yes, you do, and I know this because I tried it last night and I'm still cringing, and have yet to show my face in public... so be warned! :blush:

Edit: it was quite a cheap night though, so not all bad! :hihi:

If youve been tattooed or pierced in the last 6 months, you cant donate. Thats me knackered then.

As much as I appreciate that some of you can't give blood I'd rather we kept to the point here unless you have something constructive to add or have any questions about giving blood/or the donation day.

Thanks.

Originally posted by beckyaa
Yes, you do, and I know this because I tried it last night and I'm still cringing, and have yet to show my face in public... so be warned! :blush:

Edit: it was quite a cheap night though, so not all bad! :hihi:

sold!!!!

have been trying to persuade my mates to come with me but they are being wimps at the mo- will keep trying tho!!!

Originally posted by scottf
sold!!!!

have been trying to persuade my mates to come with me but they are being wimps at the mo- will keep trying tho!!!

Good one. Hope they come along!!!

Originally posted by IanMitchell
I think I might do

I've never donated blood before (I'm only 17) and I'm a weee bit nervous lol!

It'll be OK - you get a free drink and biscuit in the "Blood-Mobile" :D ;)

Alex

We still want as many volunteers as possible to come down and donate. So, please, get down there and something great!! Again, if you want to make it a meet/group affair then please pm me and we can arrange to go down as a group.

do you feel light headed or anything after? i mean, i dont mind needles... but loosing a pint of blood, wont you faint?
serious question! :thumbsup:

You should feel fine so long as you've not starved yourself before you go (or eaten too much). You get a lie down after, and they check that you aren't all wobbly or anything! I've been loads of times and never fainted (although I like to stay conscious for the free biscuits).

also do they tell you what blood group you are? always wanted to know that!

Originally posted by steelcitybab
also do they tell you what blood group you are? always wanted to know that!

You'll get a card through the post a few weeks later that tells you your blood group.

And don't worry about feeling wibbly. They won't let you leave until you're able to have tea and biccies unaided.

Hope you come along too!

Originally posted by pussycat
You'll get a card through the post a few weeks later that tells you your blood group.

And don't worry about feeling wibbly. They won't let you leave until you're not able to have tea and biccies unaided.

Hope you come along too!

thanx think i might... will bring a mate aswell, cos she wnats to do it aswell.

1 last question, what if you have something nasty? do they tell you?

Originally posted by steelcitybab
thanx think i might... will bring a mate aswell, cos she wnats to do it aswell.

1 last question, what if you have something nasty? do they tell you?

Brilliant! Don't forget your Sheffield Forum vouchers (see DD's OP).

I don't know the procedure if your samples fail the safety tests.

Perhaps you could ask the blood service lady who posted earlier (rachelmarie) - she said she was happy to answer questions by email.

HTH

Originally posted by steelcitybab
thanx think i might... will bring a mate aswell, cos she wnats to do it aswell.

1 last question, what if you have something nasty? do they tell you?

The more the merrier. Thanks for your support!!

As for your question, I'm sure they have a process in place to inform you, but I guess it won't involve telling you outright in a letter. I'm not 100% about this so you should ask Rachel at rachel.white@NBS.NHS.UK Rachel works for Nation Blood Service and is helping me organise this event and will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Also, you get a key ring with your blood group on it when you go back for a second session.

Originally posted by Dick Dastardly
Also, you get a key ring with your blood group on it when you go back for a second session.

Awwww, I haven't got one! Have been lots of times but never got a keyring! :(

Never mind!

I have found that if you are quite relaxed about it all and stay calm, you feel better afterwards. It's really nothing to get anxious about, so try and relax and think of the biscuits afterwards!

Originally posted by Dick Dastardly
Also, you get a key ring with your blood group on it when you go back for a second session.

that is well cool

cheerz

ok was just curious to how it all works...thanx
will cya there

i heard that if you have something they contact you by letter but i could be wrong!!!

So, anyone want to attend the session as a group? Is so, let me know when is best for you and we can arrange from there.

Thanks,

DD

Yeah- will defo meet everyone- will haveto sort it next week but im up for it, 25-26th better for me!!

We are aiming to get a large(ish) group down there on Monday (25th) afternoon so, to all those that haven't expressed an interest, please let me know if you would like to join us.

Hope to get some from work to come down in the week.

Good Idea DD.

Originally posted by Lestat
Rachel, will you lot just be taking blood or giving it out as well ?? it's just that if I can make a withdrawal from the blood bank I'd happily come down. :twisted:

By the looks of the graph at the bottom of this page they need all they can get - bit of a decline since Feb 22nd !

http://www.blood.co.uk/pages/stocklevel.html

Oh, and if you want a key ring with blood group on it - you can buy them here [bottom of page]

https://www.nbscollection.co.uk/acatalog/travel.html

Thank you to all those that have agreed to come. We still need more volunteers so if you really want to make a difference please come along and do your bit. Again, if you know anyone who would be interested please pass on the details.

Thanks,

MArt.

There will be a group of us attending the centre on Monday 25th at 1pm so if you are interested in joining us then please either send me a pm or make it known on here. Hope to see loads of you down there.

If you can't make the above session and want to attend in a group then it might be worth using this thread to organise something.

Remember to print off the voucher to give to the staff at the donation centre.

Thanks.

Originally posted by Dick Dastardly
There will be a group of us attending the centre on Monday 25th at 1pm so if you are interested in joining us then please either send me a pm or make it known on here. Hope to see loads of you down there.

If you can't make the above session and want to attend in a group then it might be worth using this thread to organise something.

Remember to print off the voucher to give to the staff at the donation centre.

Thanks.

Darn! I can't make this one

I'm at college that afternoon sorry!

:P I was really looking forward to this :suspect:

You need to turn up when you can, as giving blood is so important.

I have asked at work and got some of the uni lads to come, but they are going on the days they can make it and I have promised them a drink or two for turning up.
Bribery and corruption, but then I think it is worth it.

Not sure what day I am going but I will be there, me and my best friend, she has never been before.

Originally posted by IanMitchell
Darn! I can't make this one

I'm at college that afternoon sorry!

:P I was really looking forward to this :suspect:

Hey, you could join Rosie and her friend when they go or you could always ask on here and someone else might want to join you ;). Anyway, I'm popping up there a few days during the week to say hello to a few people so give me a shout and I might come over when you are there!!

Only 3 days to go before we start this event so I thought I'd try and generate more interest. As I've mentioned many times before, I would be grateful if you could seriously consider going down in the week and donating blood. Just think about how your donation would be used i.e. from a patient having an operation to a victim of a road accident and knowing that you've saved a life should be enough to motivate you into doing this. So, please, please make the effort to get down there and even drag your friends with you too.

Hope to see you all there!!

What time is it open till at night mate? or can you do it in your lunch hour?

Originally posted by scottf
What time is it open till at night mate? or can you do it in your lunch hour?

The donor centre is open from 09:00 - 16:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 12:00 - 19:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays if that helps?! I am going down at 1pm on Monday with a few others so if you are free you can join us!! It wont take long, about 40 minutes or thereabouts from start to finish.

Anyone else coming down either today or this week to donate?

Im going to come tomorrow after work :D :D

Good on ya scottf.

So far so good. 4 of us made the lunch donation and got our pic taken as well. Hope to see that in the star or something pretty soon. Anyway, as I've said many times before on this thread, I'd be grateful if you could seriously consider making a donation and drag your friends along with you while you are at it. Please, the more donations that are made the more lives will be saved!!!

DD

i cant donate as i have not long had a baby but i have a rare blood group so as soon as i am eligable again i shall be there!!!

Yeah I am defo going to go and some point over the week, probably during my lunch hour, and I'll remember to take the little voucher thing from DD's first post. Hope more people are going to make the visit! :D

Well done to all those who have been so far :clap:

I didn't manage a whole unit yesterday - it didn't want to come out!!! But at least I tried.:rolleyes:

So someone else will definitely have to go to make up for my, ahem, shortcomings.

I'm going to have such performance anxiety next time. What if I can never fill it up again? :help:

Anyone been today?

So then who has already been? DD I couldn't get time to meet you to pick up my voucher. will do it before the end of the week I promise!

C'mon people get donating!!!!!

So............ has anyone actually been down and donated?! If you have then I'd like to hear from you and if you are interested then please let me know. Only 2 days to go so please make an effort and get down there!!

Cheers

DD

Not sure if i could manage donating blood without passing out, but i may try... 9 months until i will be able to donate tho soz...!

I have been!! was not bad, didnt hurt or anything!!

Plus got my free biscuits mmmmmm custard creams

Now I am a unit of blood lighter, but a couple of biscuits heavier!

:D

Went yesterday and gave blood.

Only today and tomorrow so please try and get down to donate.

Thanks Kewpies and Rosie for your support!!

Only one day left so I hope to see a last minute rush down to the donation centre.

DD.

Results of the donation week along with photos (hopefully) will be posted here when I get my mits on them.

Again, thanks to everyone involved for your help and support and a big THANKS to all who gave blood!!

DD.

Hi Gang,

There a really really really big push on Platelet donation at the moment! Can you help?

here's a little about platelet donation, Platelets are one of the components of blood. They help to stop or prevent bleeding. They are either processed from donations of whole blood or are collected using a machine called a cell separator. A cell separator automatically separates the donor's blood components and collects the platelets with a small amount of plasma. Red cells, white cells and most of the plasma are returned to the donor during the donation. This is called Plateletpheresis.

Platelets help patients who are being treated for cancer or leukaemia with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This treatment can destroy the patient’s bone marrow. Bone marrow is the "orchard" within the bones where blood cells form. The patient may need platelet transfusions to keep the right number of Platelets in circulation, or to stop bleeding. Platelet transfusions are also given to babies who are bleeding due to a lack of platelets.

I am due my first ever platelet session in a few weeks, having been tested as a positive donar. Plateletpheresis donors are connected to the cell separator by means of a needle in their arm just as with a whole blood donation. The donation takes about 60 – 90 minutes. Because the donor receives their red cells back after the Platelets have been collected they can donate every 4 weeks.

You need to weigh more than 9 stone. You should have either O or A group blood.

Come on people..... lets save some doods from Cancer.......................

Mods, can we change this important thread to just Blood Donation? As 25 to 29th April is out of date. Also remove this message. Additionally, can we have a scroller for this in the left - I feel its important we promote for a wee while, although I forgive you if you disagree.

I'm due to give blood next Sunday, how do I go about donating platelets? Can I do it at the same time as giving blood?