blood donor

[excelsior-1]

good afternoon folks.

just got back from donating for the 70th time (feel very proud) especially as i have a morbid fear of needles.
the rest of my family did not/do not donate for an assortment of reasons.

it set me wondering ... how many of you good people are blood donors - and what number are you up to?

[nungate]

Always meant to but never quite managed it - what is it they say about the path to hell?

Have registered as an organ donor though they can have anything they want when I'm gone

[excelsior-1]

very good, nungate.
(say hello to queen for me)

[sherrardk]

Never given blood as I am a big baby although I probably should have done. Can't give any now as I had suspected glandular fever. I am on the bone marrow transplant register although I will have a heart attack if I get called (you have to go on a really strict diet for six months and it's not very pleasant when they harvest the marrow (although it obviously not as horrible as needing a transplant).

[Psybbo]

Apparently a triple negative which I still don't fully understand

[wiltsman]

Congratulation excelsior-1, that is an excellent record.

I used to give blood regularly until my wife had kidney failure. I was up to double figures, then because I was putting her on a kidney machine at home three times a week I was not allowed to give blood, I think because of a risk of cross contamination.

But I salute you!

[EvianBaby]

Got a badge for my last one, can't remember what number that was though. I'm due another now but I keep forgetting.

[excelsior-1]

thank you wiltsman.

sorry about your wife.

[nungate]

I'll do that later Excel, she's out making her Avon delivery - some folks weren't in the first and second time she tried to deliver

[Eve]

I did regularly but they won't take mine now due to health problems and medication. Such a shame as I've give as often as I could otherwise. I do pop in to check now and again just in case they will have it again.

I tried to sign up to the platelet donation when I gave blood but apparently I didn't have enough.

[erin-x]

I would love to donate but i've been on and off of iron tablets since I was old enough. I posted on here about it but never managed it :-(

[paddywak]

It was my target to make at least 100 donations, I managed 76 before medical reasons prevented me continuing. Some where in the house I've got a very nice letter from the transfusion service thanking me for my past donations and wishing me the best for the future.

[excelsior-1]

that's a shame paddywak.
however, 76 is a commendable total .. well done to you.

[JonnyBoy12]

I love all people who give blood but can you all do it at night in future. That would be very helpful to me.

Signed

Dracula the vampire from Transalvania.

Seriously though, I have been a blood platelet donor for some years now. You can give every 3 weeks with that option but lay off the fatty foods before donating. See the link below for details:

www.blood.co.uk/platelets

[boxtops]

well done excel !

[excelsior-1]

hello JonnyBoy.

i looked into platelet donations - but the location is too far away for me, so it was not practical.
however - cudos to uou for doing it.

[excelsior-1]

why, thank you boxtops.

[paddywak]

I must admit excelsior,it's something I've always been quietly proud of and to this day I always wear my lapel badge or tie pin. All the kids in the family donate if they can and I like to think maybe my example has had a little to do with it.

[excelsior-1]

the gold one (50th) paddywak.

i do too - every time i dress up smart.

[paddywak]

When I made my 50th donation they still used the old blue book system and when the girl realised it was a landmark donation she kept my card saying it was SOP. When I asked why she just smiled and said"you'll see" about a week later I received my 50 donation certificate and a nice new gold booklet with a special 50th sticker in it.There were 3-4 of us "gold" members used the same venue and it was often commented on that when we went for a cuppa afterwards the girls always seemed to find some thing a bits special to go with it.

[JonnyBoy12]

Can I just say something reassuring to all you would-be blood platelet donors? Please do not feel bad about not being able to give these platelets. Only 1 in 5 whole blood donors makes the grade and I was one of the lucky ones who could. You are doing a wonderful thing in giving whole blood and have not given the worst excuse in the world. A lot of people I know say that they are scared of needles but it is only scary the first time in my experience and not a good enough reason for not giving blood.