Yes, it’s something I used to do but I don’t see the blood vans around much these days and certainly not where I work. It’s a good donation to give as it literally saves lives!

My hubby donates regularly but I am not allowed, after one of my pregnancies i ended up with Deep vein thrombosis in both arms and my pelvis and massive clots on both lungs (pulmonary embolism) so because of all the medications I was on to thin my blood I am apparently unable to donate. The actual cause of my blood problems is unknown grrrr

Yes! but i have only done it once in 4 years – 2x pregnancies/breastfeeding have meant i havent been able to!

couldn’t of written this better my self. well done and thanks for the reminder

Have always wanted to but because I lived in the UK between the years classed as ineligible (1980 AND 1996), I can’t.

I’m not allowed to donate because of the time I spent in the UK.

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  • • jabelle replied
    • 06 Jun 2016 , 2:51 pm

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  Yes we can’t next time as we’re heading OS soon.

I wanted to donate blood years ago, but because I was anemic at the time, it wasn’t possible.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 04 Jun 2016 , 4:32 am

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  There are lots of rules and screenings and it is important to make sure protocols around donating are followed for the safety of the recipients and the community.

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    • • mom90758 replied
      • 04 Jun 2016 , 1:00 pm

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    It’s very important that they do all these screenings indeed.

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    • • jabelle replied
      • 07 Jun 2016 , 10:51 am

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    oh being anaemic is not fun at all. Not good for the energy levels either. definitely need to leave the blood donating to those with high enough iron stores.

I don’t want to put anyone off. I think you should donate blood, but I wish first timers could go to a hospital for their first experience. I donated once (before they introduced the ruling that eventually precluded me). I was put off by having a poor experience in the back of a van feeling treated like a sheep being slaughtered; I was on the small side and almost fainted, that night my arm swelled up and I ended up in hospital with intense pain, and some sort of internal rupture, bruising and wondering if I was going to be able to use my arm again. I think people who haven’t donated before should be given the option of going somewhere ‘nicer’ for their first time. SUbsequently I also learned I had an iron overload condition and I actually HAVE to have regular venesections (or make donations). SInce I’m precluded from making donations (because I lived in the UK in 1980s) I attend a hospital, and they take my blood, then throw it away. However, the hospital staff are wonderful. They never let me leave until my blood pressure has stabalized, make sure that I don’t experience any loss of sensation (since once my nerves were damaged and hand cramped up and I had no feeling for a few weeks until the nerves grew back).. and over time I’ve learned a few tricks that make the process easier. But being in hospital really helps and makes it possible for me to do it… and should I have a major incident I know that I’m close to intensive care!… It’s just a shame they have to throw mine away because I lived in the UK once!

Donating blood is a wonderful thing to do and for those that can good on you. There are many reasons why people cannot donate, but anything people can do to help out in the community is appreciated. Everyone contributes in different ways.