_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

I did give the answer: platelet donation (apheresis). I give every four weeks, and each donations counts as two because the whole procedure takes about two hours. For a while I did it every two weeks, but it started to cause trouble with my haemaglobin levels. There's a guy at my clinic who has received an award for 1000 donations!


M

bigsinky

i started off giving blood in work. then gave plasma for a year, then as i have an unusually high platelet count i was asked to give platelets. i go every four weeks and i was up to about 150 pints, but recently the started taking your blood pressure before donation. that was the start of it. because of hypertension they say they can no longer take my platelets. i am now on tablets to regulate my BP. the carriage clock was quite nice. have to admit it's something i miss as i was quite proud of the fact that they sometimes took a double or tripple dose of platelets from me at every session.

Scooby Snacks 23

I started some years ago then gave up but after the birth of my son, I re-started. Last week at work was my 19th time apparently!

slagmagnet69

Everyday at work.

Frosty The Snowman

Also just got done my 25th donation. On the bone marrow register too.

For the record it doesn't actually hurt as such, just a bit uncomfortable that's all. The sample taken for the iron test usually 'hurts' more I think.

It's one of those things that most people can do but can't be bothered or are too busy to give 30mins of their time every 4 months, which is a bit annoying if they happen to be the same people who have recently had operations like a couple here at work

Same with organ donation, should be the norm and you only have to carry a card if you don't want to donate.Of course, that also means you can't receive either.

*Jen*

Yup And on the Bone Marrow register as well, they give out free kit kats at ours

Brendan Hughes

Always wanted to, not allowed

Paul3446

I'm too scared!

Frosty The Snowman

It really doesn't hurt. The worst I've had is the nurse not getting the needle straight and having to lay there with my arm aching a bit for the few minutes it actually takes to donate.

The only way to find out is actually to take the plunge and give it a go but I can assure you paper cuts hurt more

Little Miss WRX

Same in Aus, it's crazy because they are crying out for donors and Iam more than happy to donate! I used to and have one of those card thingies.

HowiesPreza

You're right - it doesn't hurt, nothing to be scared about - i'm sure you have a more scary ecperience in your cars at least once a day ;o) I usually have the trainee putting the needle in as practice, after I said it was ok one time they must have put it on my record as there now always seems to be a trainee there to practice on me, some of them are rubbish - one girl put the needle in one side and it came out the other ! hahaha - but it's all for a good cause.

GET GOING - one day you might be grateful if a loved one needs it!

Cool Chick

I do - I've been donating since I was 18, but I got a tattoo a couple of years ago so had to take a year out from it. I have started again now and will carry on for many years to come!!

Southern Guy

I do 3 times a year, been about 7 times now. Am AB RH Negative apparantly only 1% of the population need it, so i think now why should i bother letting them jab me with a needle in my arm and suck me dry lol...

As long as i am helping someone out i guess!

16vmarc

I normally do, 5 times i think. Cant at the moment.

mattstant

another one here too missed the last one think its every 3 months or something ive got one of those credit card things they hand out

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

Every sixteen weeks for whole blood.


M

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Just donated my 26th today as it happens.

Mind you the iron test went wrong. The first drop just stayed where it was; didn't sink. The second drop actually floated back up to the top. That was the first time that'd ever happened to me.
The donor carer then asked if I'd recently had a shower/bath. I had in fact got out the shower and gone straight to the donor centre. Supposedly, as the blood sits on your finger, it mixes with the residue of shower gel on your skin and messes up the iron test because of it's oil based nature.
She had to take a small blood sample to test it was OK and when she came back she said it was fine and should have dropped like a stone. I better remember to go in smelling like a minger for next time.

Dave.

Sqaddie'sMum

Always wanted to but don't weigh the required weight! :-(

SamanthaJ

There is a required weight?

Been doing in for 4 years, not a problem at all. everyone that can give it should give it!

Someday you may need some huh!!

Sqaddie'sMum

There is, over 8st, it's the same for giving bone marrow, too!

CrisPDuk

Been told on more than one occasion that mine's not up to scratch


Pretty much the same thing as my boss says about my attitude