[Heavy_Soul]

 fishini, on 02 October 2019 - 05:43 PM, said:

I have just been to a belated awards ceremony for 100 donations. The Transfusion representative who gave a speech came up with some numbers related to the group of donors there on the day. The numbers astounded me. A total of 10750 donations and 39700 lives saved. It never dawned on me that just 100 or so people could have such an impact. If only more people would donate. Hey Goku you still giving?

I’ve moved on to platelet donations now - got my first appt in a couple of week

[fishini]

Tried it but my veins were not suitable. The way you donate your veins cannot collapse before your red blood cells are returned. Mine were failing with 5 mins left. If you get any tingling in your lips tell the staff straight away as the level of anticoagulant they use is too high. It takes a longer than blood donating. Are you going to Sheffield to donate.

[Westbars Spireite]

I didn’t realise gay men aren’t permitted to give blood.

[Heavy_Soul]

 fishini, on 02 October 2019 - 07:32 PM, said:

Tried it but my veins were not suitable. The way you donate your veins cannot collapse before your red blood cells are returned. Mine were failing with 5 mins left. If you get any tingling in your lips tell the staff straight away as the level of anticoagulant they use is too high. It takes a longer than blood donating. Are you going to Sheffield to donate.

Yes going to Sheffield. They were running a campaign last time I donated blood asking people with my blood group. Sent an extra blood sample off to see if I had enough of them and was accepted.

I understand it can take 90min and you can do it more often than whole blood. I could commit to going once every 2 month or so I think.

[Goku]

 fishini, on 02 October 2019 - 05:43 PM, said:

I have just been to a belated awards ceremony for 100 donations. The Transfusion representative who gave a speech came up with some numbers related to the group of donors there on the day. The numbers astounded me. A total of 10750 donations and 39700 lives saved. It never dawned on me that just 100 or so people could have such an impact. If only more people would donate. Hey Goku you still giving?

of course usually give at the proact but you've just reminded me to book my next one so i've stuck one in at the winding wheel in november, cheers

[valemadness]

Since I had a blood transfusion in May, I'm no longer allowed to donate. I believe this also precludes me from platelet donation, although taking nsaids daily would also preclude me.
I'm glad I managed to donate for the years I did and thank you to anyone for the 2 pints of A+ I had in May.
Just trying to get my 19 year old son to start donating now.

[Steak pie please]

I learnt something new yesterday and it made me realise just how crucial donating blood can be.

Donated yesterday at the Winding Wheel. Talking to the nurse beforehand I mentioned that I tried to donate at the Proact a few weeks earlier, but the nurse couldn't hit a vein so apologized and asked if I could rebook a new appointment on the phone asap. The new nurse looked at my details and said that although that winding wheel session was fully booked, they had squeezed me in as I was O neg blood type, which is the one they can use for anybody no matter their blood group, thus is in high demand. She looked even closer then said "oh, you are also CMV negative, you are really in demand!!"

I had never been told that before and asked what that meant. It turns out that roughly 80% of adults have been exposed to the CMV virus, which stays in your body for life, a bit like cold sore virus does. Does no harm, but they can't use their blood for people with no immune system.

She basically said, there is a very high chance your blood always goes to Neonatal units, your blood can be given to babies, even unborn ones who may need a transfusion in the womb. Because their immune system is still developing, there is no risk to them as you are CMV neg. Add in the fact you are O neg as well and ANY baby can have your blood, you are part of a very, very small percentage.

My daughter is 6 months pregnant at the moment, so that REALLY hit home.

Just a chance conversation, but it has really made me realise even more just how important donations are, and how crucial they can be to save someones life, even that of an unborn baby.

I have only been donating for 5 years, and wish I had started years ago now.

*edit, forgot to mention, she also said they are bringing in a hotline purely for people with O neg blood, so they can book donations. Sounds like they will squeeze you in if sessions are full, a bit like they did with me. It might be something someone on here might be able to use in the future - the next 'available' slot for me when trying to rebook was on the 29th Dec otherwise, which is basically another donation time away. It gained them another donation of something they are desperate for, I'm all up for that.

This post has been edited by Steak pie please: 15 October 2019 - 07:08 AM

[Nerima Spireite]

 Steak pie please, on 15 October 2019 - 07:00 AM, said:

I learnt something new yesterday and it made me realise just how crucial donating blood can be.

Donated yesterday at the Winding Wheel. Talking to the nurse beforehand I mentioned that I tried to donate at the Proact a few weeks earlier, but the nurse couldn't hit a vein so apologized and asked if I could rebook a new appointment on the phone asap. The new nurse looked at my details and said that although that winding wheel session was fully booked, they had squeezed me in as I was O neg blood type, which is the one they can use for anybody no matter their blood group, thus is in high demand. She looked even closer then said "oh, you are also CMV negative, you are really in demand!!"

I had never been told that before and asked what that meant. It turns out that roughly 80% of adults have been exposed to the CMV virus, which stays in your body for life, a bit like cold sore virus does. Does no harm, but they can't use their blood for people with no immune system.

She basically said, there is a very high chance your blood always goes to Neonatal units, your blood can be given to babies, even unborn ones who may need a transfusion in the womb. Because their immune system is still developing, there is no risk to them as you are CMV neg. Add in the fact you are O neg as well and ANY baby can have your blood, you are part of a very, very small percentage.

My daughter is 6 months pregnant at the moment, so that REALLY hit home.

Just a chance conversation, but it has really made me realise even more just how important donations are, and how crucial they can be to save someones life, even that of an unborn baby.

I have only been donating for 5 years, and wish I had started years ago now.

*edit, forgot to mention, she also said they are bringing in a hotline purely for people with O neg blood, so they can book donations. Sounds like they will squeeze you in if sessions are full, a bit like they did with me. It might be something someone on here might be able to use in the future - the next 'available' slot for me when trying to rebook was on the 29th Dec otherwise, which is basically another donation time away. It gained them another donation of something they are desperate for, I'm all up for that.

That kind of detailed info can save lives. Thank you🙏

[fishini]

I am also CMV negative. How many things can you do that you know saves lives? Other than medical reasons there are no valid excuses for not donating. None at all.

[stevie_b]

I go three times a year without fail, which is the maximum permitted for a woman (I think that you guys can go a four times a year). I live in Sheffield and the centre opens on a Sunday. I go at 8am and I'm back home before you lot are recovered from your Saturday night hangovers :-) I'm blood type O. It's very common but ……… they need lots of it, I guess.

Everyone should make the effort if they possibly can.

I'm STILL trying to work out how to use the emojis properly.

This post has been edited by stevie_b: 02 November 2019 - 03:32 PM

[fishini]

All blood donations are important. Pity most people don't think so and couldn't care less, as long as it's there should they ever need it. I'm O rhesus -. 7% of the population

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

I'm feeling more than a little ashamed reading this.

You lot are real heroes. Seriously, I mean it.

Can you put summat on here about when the next local sessions are?

Enough of my family and friends have benefitted so it's about time I stepped forward.

Ta.

[fishini]

www.blood.uk to register. All you need on this site to become a doner

[Goku]

Just donated at the Winding Wheel. I want a rarer blood type

[fishini]

Lol sorry you are what you are. What group are you? Not that it matters. At least you donate unlike most on this board who can't be bothered to get off their backsides and do something good. It's a lot easier to let others do it for them, as long as it's there if they ever need it. Selfish

[isleaiw1]

 fishini, on 27 November 2019 - 08:00 PM, said:

Lol sorry you are what you are. What group are you? Not that it matters. At least you donate unlike most on this board who can't be bothered to get off their backsides and do something good. It's a lot easier to let others do it for them, as long as it's there if they ever need it. Selfish

Fish,you need to work on your sales technique... Steak pie please did a much better job.

[fishini]

I have asked many times for valid reasons for not donating other than health reasons. Still waiting for an answer. Do you have one?

[Goku]

I'm merely A Positive. Oh to be AB Negative or O Negative!

This post has been edited by Goku: 27 November 2019 - 08:27 PM

[isleaiw1]

 fishini, on 27 November 2019 - 08:18 PM, said:

I have asked many times for valid reasons for not donating other than health reasons. Still waiting for an answer. Do you have one?

Health reasons for me, but the point is it’s voluntary, and lots of people have lots of reasons to do it or not do it. Slagging people off is less likely to get a positive reaction than great stories by steak pie...

I wonder how many are organ donors - now that one is very close to my heart...

[fishini]

There is no valid reason not to do it. Have donated bone marrow twice. Too old now and I'm off the registar now. On the organ donation register since I was 18