General Chat

Just following on from Grannie Annie's thread on carrying donor cards. How many of you give blood? And if not, why not I do and have done for years. Gloria :-)))

Always did at home but they won't take British blood here in the Netherland because of variant CJD. Christina

Hi Christina, they must hsve enough over there then. Can they not test the blood for that? Gloria :-))))

I would love to but can't because I take steriods. M.

Well Gloria I gave 48 pints of blood but had to give it up 4 years ago when I got heart condition. Davex

Like I said on Annies thread, I can't due to past health problems, which include cancer.......that's a no, no right off! Jen

No i have never give blood but after an operation i needed some but refused to have it, unless it was given by a member of my family which they managed to arrange Lil

Have done in the past, but due to a bad experience with a vicious nurse and a big needle decided not to any more!! and just to add, i dont believe anyone should be made to feel they have to give blood and donate organs!! my reason for not carrying a donor card are very personal. Helen

I've never given blood...I was very ill after my daughter was born and had quite a lot of blood transfused.....within 6 months I had contracted a form of hepatitis - not the very nasty one but enough to make my blood unacceptable. My husband has always donated as has our daughter - in both cases apparently veins are like taps (according to staff!) Our son at 17 had a bleeding ulcer and received in total 17 pints of blood - without this he would have died. As soon as he was allowed he donated blood regularly - until about 2 years ago when the rules changed.

I tried about 6 yrs ago, but it took so long for them to get it, they said it wasn't worth me going. They could do 3 others in that time. Well I did try. Marion

You would have thought so Gloria but who knows, perhaps they think it too much trouble for the amount they would be getting. I shall start giving blood again when I come home (if I'm not too old by then!). Christina

Both OH and I give blood, and have done for years. Unfortunately for him, I'm really slow giving mine up, and he could bleed for England, so he always ends up waiting ages for me.

Some interesting replies. Helen, I don't think anyone should feel they have to give blood, or donate organs, it is a very personal thing. The reason I give blood, was when our son was born he had septacemia (probably spelt wrong) and had to have a complete transfusion when he was one week old. Up until then it had never entered my head, now I try to go when I can. Gloria :-)))

I used to and still would expect that am not allow to as the rules here say because of the fact I lived in England for two years during the eighties the CJD thingy comes into efffect. I used to always have to have my blood labelled separately when I did give it as I have been to a couple of countries that are in the malaria risk zone - Michelle

I used to, but when I was diagnosed(sp) with Arthritis, it shows up in blood, and with the medication it's now no good, and hubby had to stop when he had his heart attack, due to medication again. Bev

Yes have always given blood since I was old enough. Have had a few funny turns now and then but mostly find if I drink plenty before hand then I'm OK. Anna x

I have given 12 pints. Until a few years ago when they decided that people who had a blood transfusion from 1984 onwards could not give any more because of contracting CJD

Sorry to say I'm a taker not a giver........

i gave blood for years-but was recently cut adrift as i had transfusion durin childbirth (8 yrs ago) ,and all the concerns over variant cjd!! .so one less reliable donor.

I would if I could but I had a spenectomy and for that reason my blood is no good! The speen filters the blood blah blah so therefore I can't do it, but am very very grateful for those who do as without them I would not have lived through the operation! :o) xx