Giving blood.

[flobadob]

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to giving blood?

[mccfluff]

no idea, i went in did the questionaire, they quizzed me on my heart op and then said no - somethign to do with my heart but i still don't get it as it was 30 odd years ago and i'm fine

i asked my doc why and she said that they had a strict criteria

[McMouse]

Had hepatitis many years ago and they stopped taking my blood.

[ummmm]

Oh...I suppose they don't want to take any risks..

[sara3]

my blood bank gives you sandwiches, crisps, fruit, biscuits, drinks.. go and pig out :o)

[JonnyBoy12]

Where is that, sara3? I have been giving blood platelets for years, and they do not give me sandwiches, they just give out crips and biscuits.

[Mick-Talbot]

posh **** ^
probably gives blood at Harrods

[jd_1984]

Next time i forget to bring my lunch.......
To be honest, it is something I have thought of doing but never done. I have a friend who was in a nasty motorcycle incident and he lost lots of blood, we assume that it will always be there if we needed it!

[sara3]

it's in Edgware, N London.

if you give platelets, they bring your food to you on a tray!

[sara3]

jd, go.. you'll feel very smug once you've done it!

but don't go on a completely empty stomach.

[sandyRoe]

You get waited on hand and foot? I gave about 30 pts and all I ever got was a few cups of tepid tea and a wee badge.

[McMouse]

My son is having an op in USA next month and he is giving blood now just in case it's needed.

[sara3]

oh, they're ever so nice at Edgware, lol!

[LazyGun]

Advantages and disadvantages, such as they are have been pretty well highlighted here.
Only a couple of points to add....... the country relies on just 1.5 million registered donors. So much owed to so few by so many.... so new donors are very welcome.

Platelet donors are the bomb. Much of the improved treatment of leukaemias and some cancers has been due to more aggressive chemotherapy - and that is only possible if you have platelet support.

[Hopkirk]

... oh and you can get stickers saying 'my mummy/daddy gave blood today'

[campbellking]

Advantages in terms of food supply are normally better if you are able to go to a permanent centre. Those of us who go to the 'travelling' clinics don't get sarnies, and much to my disappointment, have recently stopped our TUC biscuit ration. Also we've gone onto UHT milk (elf and safety, apparently) for the tea, which now comes in tiny cups.
Still the smugness is rewarding, and will be even smugger on next donation when I will get '50' donation badge.

[boxtops]

A wee badge, sandy? what sort of samples have you been giving... ;-)

[Chaffinch]

Stickers Hopkirk, that just not fair, I've been giving blood for years and never got a sticker boo hiss

[4getmenot]

all the above and you sometimes get a sticker

[joggerjayne]

Disadvantage ...

After you've given blood, you are all floppy and empty, like an airbed that's gone down a bit. If you accidentally lean forwards, you just fold in half.

Advantage ...

You get a cup of tea.

[squarebear]

advantage: You can go out straight afterwards and get out of your head on a couple of pints because you don't have as much blood. Makes for a cheap night out.

This is the opinion of Squarebear and does not necesserily reflect the views of the NHS :-)