Just gave blood again, do you?

SexyGreyFox · 12 Oct 2015 at 17:32

I can't give platelets, apparently my veins are too small.

ToejaM · 12 Oct 2015 at 17:47

Gave blood again last week :-)

Hades · 12 Oct 2015 at 19:17

helpimcrap said:
Not allowed. Stupid blood transfusion rules mean I can't give any back.

Well, not stupid - unfortunate.

Same here

Scougar · 12 Oct 2015 at 20:15

Not that I was giving, only having some drawn for tests... but it ending up me passing out (collapsing) in the corridor of a doctors office, and then again at the counter whilst paying. I remember nothing of it lol.

lovelyhead · 12 Oct 2015 at 20:55

I have now overtaken my age in blood donations! (I am 31 and have given 32 donations).

I am O- so have a little gold credit card and everything.

I highly recommend every one that can give blood does so. It isn't sore (anyone that tells you otherwise is just a wimp) and you get a free biscuit and a cup of juice!

lovelyhead · 12 Oct 2015 at 21:01

Muban said:
It's been a while since I've bumped this. Mid platelet donation at the moment and I'll be in again on 9th November for my next session.

If you're in Scotland and you do whole blood donation and have been meaning to go, now is a good time. Current stocks are a bit low. O+, O-, A+, A- & B- are all below the 6 days of stock they aim to have.

I have never actually heard of donating platelets. Of all the 32 times I have donated no one has ever mentioned it.

I have just inquired about donating platelets. Thanks for making me aware of it.

uchuff · 12 Oct 2015 at 21:14

Donated about a dozen times no problems then had to cancel last couple due to feeling under the weather. Due again December so will cross my fingers for no cold / flu.

Last donation they told me was going to be divided up into smaller bags for babies, pretty cool.

Hiijinx · 12 Oct 2015 at 21:40

Don't, just a simple blood test makes me nearly faint. Really wish I could though.
They will have to wait til I'm gone before they can recycle me.

SexyGreyFox · 12 Oct 2015 at 22:11

lovelyhead said:
I have never actually heard of donating platelets. Of all the 32 times I have donated no one has ever mentioned it.

I have just inquired about donating platelets. Thanks for making me aware of it.

I've been donating for nearly 38 years and I only heard of it this year when I looked at an A4 poster on the wall.

bowey · 12 Oct 2015 at 22:57

cheesyboy said:
Apparently there's been a sharp drop in blood donors, it's being widely reported;
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/05/sharp-drop-new-blood-donors-uk-stocks-at-risk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33004025

As I said a couple of pages back, I've only done it once and it hurt like crazy (and resulted in significant bruising) so I've been reluctant to give it a second go. I'm thinking it's time to try, though. Might keep a look out for local sessions.

I've gave 15 pints but haven't gave in over a year because the setup and appointment organization is an absolute disgrace.. The last time I tried I got turned away twice even though I had an appointment for them both times then they had the absolute cheek to text me asking why I hadn't been giving blood and they are running low on my blood type.

lovelyhead · 12 Oct 2015 at 23:00

Dimple said:
I've been donating for nearly 38 years and I only heard of it this year when I looked at an A4 poster on the wall.

Have you donated platelets?

Uriel · 12 Oct 2015 at 23:10

I really should go and give blood. I haven't for a few years.

If it wasn't for a blood transfusion I'd have probably lost my missus about 4 years ago.

Kobi · 12 Oct 2015 at 23:10

I try to go every time I can, but it's been over a year since I went. Really need to make an effort.

insane200 · 12 Oct 2015 at 23:30

December will be my 7th time, wish i had started sooner, as my Dad used to give blood loads, I only started to because it was a 2 min walk from home and the Mrs started, but now she can't.

Always chuckle when they ask if I'm afraid of needles yet my arm's are full of tattoo's.

eatcustard · 13 Oct 2015 at 07:30

Still give blood when I can (1-2 times a year)

O-, so my blood will well received

FluffySheep · 13 Oct 2015 at 21:29

I'm booked in for my next donation on Monday next week. This will be number 36 of pure Welsh O- sheeps blood donated...

FluffySheep

Muban · 9 Nov 2015 at 15:50

Groovy new platelet machines

Meridian · 10 Nov 2015 at 21:14

Muban said:
Groovy new platelet machines

Wha? It looks like a standard Trima?

And that pic is nearly ten years old. THIS is old-school:

(A Kobe, circa 1998)

Muban · 11 Nov 2015 at 08:55

Clearly we are behind the times in the Highlands. They just moved to the Trima about 2 weeks ago. They had the previous ones for about 12 years and were huge in comparison. I'm mixed about the difference some things are better some things not so much. I'll get used to them I'm sure.

EDIT: We used to have these ones....

Meridian · 11 Nov 2015 at 22:10

Fair enough. It's just the Trimas have been around so long I assumed all sites had them. I've not seen the device you show as the old machine. As I said, before the Trimas we (Cambridge in those days) had Kobes, and before that (IIRC) Haemostats. The Trimas are pretty good, with a short cycle. The only issue I find is the tendency for access pressure to drop off during a run and the thing to start setting off the alarm. I'm back in again tomorrow afternoon.