I've realised that I haven't given blood for ages and really should do this again. I feel quite ashamed of myself really and am going to stop having another piercing as this would stop me giving blood again.

Anyway, I was chatting to a couple of work colleagues about it and said he'd never do it because he doesn't like of the sight of blood and seeing a needle. I just can't believe this!! How can people be so feeble!! What is a bit of slight discomfort for the sake for saving a life? I think far too many people are too squeamish for their own good!!

Originally posted by pixy
Anyway, I was chatting to a couple of work colleagues about it and said he'd never do it because he doesn't like of the sight of blood and seeing a needle.

Is your friend capable of blinking?

The needle isn't as painful as it sounds, and all he has to do is close his eyes anyway.

And the blood can be collected out of sight, and taken away before he sits up after donating.

Next time you go, take him with you.

Ask them to imagine that they are dying but an injection would save their live....would they have one then???

Shalom

;)

Save a life...Give Blood!!

Please don't berate me for this. But I can't do it. Even worse is I have a lovely rare blood group that is always in need.

I have gotten over the needle and not watching my blood go into a bag. It's the rest of the day that is my problem. I leave. I pass out. I go green.. I am sick. I can't move.. I lay in the loo at work for the rest of the day.

I have a high pain threshold but I can't do this. I am not proud of this and admire those who do this regulary.

Sorry but I am scared.

Originally posted by samc
Please don't berate me for this. But I can't do it. Even worse is I have a lovely rare blood group that is always in need.

I have gotten over the needle and not watching my blood go into a bag. It's the rest of the day that is my problem. I leave. I pass out. I go green.. I am sick. I can't move.. I lay in the loo at work for the rest of the day.

Can't you take some friends or work colleagues with you for moral / physical support?

Originally posted by Abdul
Can't you take some friends or work colleagues with you for moral / physical support?
I have - we used to go as a group but I embarrassed them sooo much after they had to carry me back to the office. People commented on how much I'd had to drink!!

I can understand people being apprehensive about giving blood if they have actually done it and have been very ill as a result. But it really gets on my nerves when people say they don’t want to do it because they can’t stand needles or because they can’t stand the sight of blood. It just seems to be the automatic reaction of everyone who has never given blood and wants to justify why they haven’t. Let’s face it no one in their right mind LIKES needles, but we’re talking about a second’s discomfort three times a year – which is up to three people’s lives saved! And yet these same people fully expect to have donated blood available if they ever needed it.

im like samc, i keep building up to give blood but never get there.
i am getting resistant to injections - holiday vacs etc. but i still faint at the dentist or even when accompanying my wife when she has blood tests done.

I've done it twice, and it doesn't bother me.

I've tried it a couple of times, each time I felt faint and sick. The nurse explained that was because my body was working so well it could tell I was losing the blood and was sending out danger signals. I felt so bad I didn't even fill a bag!

They wrote to me telling me they had taken me off their register because of this.

This was 14 years ago, I've not been back since. No idea if I'll have changed at all but wary about trying it again.

I'm not bothered by the needle going in, just when they remove it, that's what really makes my teeth itch. I've been giving regularly for about 3 years but am having to take a 6 month break as I had a tattoo done recently. Donating is a very worthy thing to do and requires little time or effort ...... Go on, save a life, you know you want too :)

Originally posted by samc
Please don't berate me for this. But I can't do it. Even worse is I have a lovely rare blood group that is always in need.

I have gotten over the needle and not watching my blood go into a bag. It's the rest of the day that is my problem. I leave. I pass out. I go green.. I am sick. I can't move.. I lay in the loo at work for the rest of the day.

I have a high pain threshold but I can't do this. I am not proud of this and admire those who do this regulary.

Sorry but I am scared.

I think you did really well to try it in the first place, my mum was taken off, as on her third visit she mentioned to them that she fainted the last two times, after giving blood. Some people can't give blood, at least you can say you have tried!

I stuck my name down a couple of weeks ago and since I've now had a few years when I've not had any extra holes put into me I should be able to give blood.

I frequently used to give blood but can't now as I am often anaemic. It's not as scary or painful as you think and you do get a cuppa & biscuits. :thumbsup:

I'm a regular blood donor, or I should say, I was until I had my tattoo last week. The only reason I 'm not giving blood is for that very reason and as soon as I'm in the clear I'll be down there donating again.

As for being scared, I admit not to being a fan of needles and used to hate injections at school, but the way I see it now is would I be as quick to refuse a blood transfusion cos of an irrational fear!

You know I did offer to go with this guy when he gave blood but no, the thought of the needle going was too much! Give me strength!

If anyone gets ill from giving blood that's another matter, but everyone who is able to give blood really should. Being scared of a needle is really pathetic compared to the good that comes from donating blood.

I once had a unpleasant experience when the nurse put the needle in the wrong place and had a wonderful (and quite painful!) colourful bruise almost all the way up my arm. This was almost enough to put me off but really compared to what the people you giving blood to are going through it is nothing!! There isn't an excuse!!

I do give blood but being afraid of blood itself (not the needle!) it takes me a few days to get my head around the fact that I'm going. I have to have a long lie down after and have to ask the nurse not to let me see the blood and usually then I'm ok. I then take a sticker whilst I'm having my cuppa and wear it whilst grinning like a cheshire cat all the way home. I always feel really good after and knowing I could save a life makes it even better!!

The nurses willmake it comfortable for you - after all you are doing the blood service a favour by being there.

Lecture over!!!!
(P.S I'm still scared of blood though)

Well done sexibabe, more people should have the same attitude as you. It is a bit silly being scared of blood though - it's just a part of your body - what's that to be scared of? Well done to get over it though.

It's horses for courses, I guess. Everyone has their breaking point and if needles and seeing your blood coming out of you is yours, so be it.

People have to come to these things in their own time. I don't think it's silly or cowardly; everyone has something that freaks them out.

For the record I gave blood for 17 years from 1981 to 1998, then had to stop when I was ill and they didn't know quite what was wrong. I'm now on regular meds, but have to say I've been debating going back to see if I can start again. I was a whole blood, plasma and platelet donor. My blood group was in serious demand as well - I remember a few times getting letters asking me to come in ahead of time as they were short. That's one of the things that's made me think about it again. But we'll see.

Oh, and I HATE needles :) Had a blood test last week and almost fainted! I actually find the sampling done for blood tests more upsetting for me than the donation process, even though the amount of blood involved is MUCH less!

Joe

I give blood and I think everyone who is cabable of doing should. I feel very good and satisfied when I come out of the blood donor clinic. I feel I have done something important.

Originally posted by JoeP
I actually find the sampling done for blood tests more upsetting for me than the donation process, even though the amount of blood involved is MUCH less!

That has improved, thankfully. It used to be quite painful, with that device snapping shut and sticking a pin in your finger (sorry if I'm putting anybody off).

The new test is almost painless. So now there are even less excuses not to go :)

Originally posted by Abdul
That has improved, thankfully. It used to be quite painful, with that device snapping shut and sticking a pin in your finger (sorry if I'm putting anybody off).

The new test is almost painless. So now there are even less excuses not to go :)

I didn't mean the anaemia test before you gave blood - I meant the two or three test tubes that GPs take nowadays when they want to check that all the bits of me are working!

The little test before you give blood didn't worry me too much - I also used to avoid the local anaesthetic 'cos the needle for that used to bug me more than the main needle!

Joe :)

Maybe if they started paying for people's blood donations this would encourage more people to donate??

If sperm banks pay out for sperm.. why not blood banks?
Makes sense really I would have thought.

Originally posted by ANGELUS
Maybe if they started paying for people's blood donations this would encourage more people to donate??

This happened in America.

All the junkies went and donated, to get the cash to pay for their next fix.

Their blood was contaminated with HIV... you can guess the rest :(

What if they tested the blood before hand and then paid up if it was clean as a whistle though?

There must be some way to do it?

Originally posted by ANGELUS
What if they tested the blood before hand and then paid up if it was clean as a whistle though?

There must be some way to do it?

I suppose offering £££ would make more people do it :)

But one problem is that it can take several months before HIV can be detected in a persons blood.

Furthermore, most blood donors would probably be horrified if they knew people were only doing it for cash rather than as an altruistic gift to help their fellow humans.

And Blair and Brown would only conspire to tax any gains you made :(

Have to agree with Abdul on the payment front. They do test all donations for HIV etc, but as Abdul says it can take several months for infections to show up. This is why they have all the precautions of not allowing donations after piercings/tattoos etc for a certain amount of time. But if payment was on offer would people really be as honest about whether they have recently had these things done?

I used to give blood regularly, it used to be an organised thing where I worked. Haven't given blood for quite a few years now though. I've been ill for a few years and the last thing I wanted to do was give blood until I knew what was wrong with me.

I always look the other way when I have injections or blood tests done etc. Never fainted or anything but I find it easier to not see what's happening.

Hubby won't give blood, and it irritates me to bits as he has no valid reason. I'm a strong believer in you get out of this life what you put in. How can people expect there to be blood available when they are ill if they are not prepared to contribute?

I don't think people should be paid though. For a lot of reasons - but i think it would drain the NHS of much needed funds.

I want to donate I went to the place near west street to inquire, but my blood isn't good enough for them as i'm diabetic.

I have resisted this thread until now for a few reasons, but now feel compelled to contribute. :|

I would love to give blood, but as a gay man am forbidden. I don't want to turn the focus away from a good cause, so interested forummers can have their say here! (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36297&highlight=blood+gay)

K x

In Ireland recently, their blood transfusion service have banned anyone who has lived in England since 1985 I think, from giving blood (in case they have/carry CJD)

Originally posted by samc
...Even worse is I have a lovely rare blood group that is always in need....

Is this right?

I'm the rarest type (AB -ve ...IIRC only 0.2% of population have this type).
But (again IIRC) I'm a universal recipient so I can take any other blood type.

I thought it's all you common O's that should be worried cos you have to have type O.

I thought the rare blood types were in demand for their platelets (which I think is about 1.5hrs procedure to donate?!)

Sorry, lots of 'not sures' in this post..... please correct me where necessary...

Originally posted by Hels
In Ireland recently, their blood transfusion service have banned anyone who has lived in England since 1985 I think, from giving blood (in case they have/carry CJD)

You arn't allowed to donate blood in AUS if you have been in the UK within the last 12 months.
I used to donate but now my blood pressure goes so high they won't take it.

Bit off topic but , do you have an organ doner register in UK?
We do. You can you can join when you renew your driver's licence and have it noted on your licence, or ring up and they out a form for you to fill in.:thumbsup:

Originally posted by peterdo
Bit off topic but , do you have an organ doner register in UK?
We do. You can you can join when you renew your driver's licence and have it noted on your licence, or ring up and they out a form for you to fill in.:thumbsup:

Not sure if DVLA still do this, but last time i renewed my licence a handy organ donor card was included too. :) Although now i think about it, thats rather a macabre inclusion :P

Originally posted by Abdul

But one problem is that it can take several months before HIV can be detected in a persons blood.


Another problem is that tests for bloodborne diseases are never 100%.

A 0.001% chance of a false negative (i.e. Saying that a blood sample is fine when its not) doesnt sound like a big problem at all but the NBTS handles 2 million donations per year so that would be 20 transfusions of infected blood every year. nb. I just made those percentages up as an example!

Nearly that time of year again (don't the months fly by?) might see you down there Abdul :wave: :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Ginner
Is this right?

I'm the rarest type (AB -ve ...IIRC only 0.2% of population have this type).
But (again IIRC) I'm a universal recipient so I can take any other blood type.

I thought it's all you common O's that should be worried cos you have to have type O.

I thought the rare blood types were in demand for their platelets (which I think is about 1.5hrs procedure to donate?!)

Sorry, lots of 'not sures' in this post..... please correct me where necessary...

Group O is the most common group, so although those of O group (like myself!) can only receive from other Os it’s not usually a problem.

It is actually O group blood that is most useful to the blood service – they’re not necessarily bothered about getting people with rare blood groups to donate, because O is the universal donor, so anyone can take our blood!

Not sure about the platelets front though – maybe they do need the mosre specific types for this.

Originally posted by Ginner
Is this right?

I'm the rarest type (AB -ve ...IIRC only 0.2% of population have this type).
But (again IIRC) I'm a universal recipient so I can take any other blood type.

I thought it's all you common O's that should be worried cos you have to have type O.

I thought the rare blood types were in demand for their platelets (which I think is about 1.5hrs procedure to donate?!)

Sorry, lots of 'not sures' in this post..... please correct me where necessary...



I am not a blood expert so can only tell you what the Blood donor service informed me.

My blood is Rhd negative. 84% of the population are Rhd positive. Therefore the Rhd negative blood is rarer and they say low in stock. I was asked to donate because of my blood group as there was a 'push' at the time to increase donors.

Im also one of those people that would love to give blood but is unable to due to having a blood transfusion myself back in 1988. I would love to return the favour but unfortunately i cant.:(

The last time I gave blood I too felt a bit the worse for wear - but this was probably more to do with playing an hour of five aside football two hours later. Nonetheless - I have been inspired by this thread and will make a donation next week.

This time however, I will relax with a few beers afterward rather than exerting myself in strenuous exercise.

I wondeer if I will get drunk easier as a result of the reduced blood in my system? If so, perhaps this fact could be shared with the student community, no doubt leading to an increase in donations from that sector of our community.

Originally posted by Dicko
I wondeer if I will get drunk easier as a result of the reduced blood in my system? If so, perhaps this fact could be shared with the student community, no doubt leading to an increase in donations from that sector of our community.

At my old uni this is what everyone always said about giving blood – that it was always a much cheaper night out afterwards! I’m not sure if it’s true though – we always arranged a night out after donating, but I never seemed to spend any less or get more drunk!

The first time I donated I passed out - I'm quite prone to getting light headed where my blood is concerned!

I still go regularly nowadays though - I just don't watch!! I look the other way and listen to the radio that they have on. I believe it's worth it to help the people who need blood.