Privileged to give a special gift

[Katharine]

Today I gave blood, I really felt privileged to be able to do it today - at a time when, sadly, it is very likely to be needed soon. The van was very festive and we had mince pies and Kit Kat offered instead of the usual biscuits! I came away feeling that I had done something for others this Christmas. It was also good to take a few minutes out lying down thinking what else had to be done!

With love and best wishes to all forum members - you have helped me through some very black moments this year. May we all have a healthy and happy year in 2009.

[Jo]

I'm not allowed to give at the moment because of my endoscopy in the summer (no, I don't understand it either). And I'm quite a rare group too (B-) so they would probably be glad of it.

I echo Katharine's good wishes for 2009 and hope to meet some of you (again) soon.

[englishangel]

I tried to but I am on medication for high blood pressure, and despite the rules changing recently I couldn't convince the jobsworth at the donor place that I was now allowed to. I too am B- as is daughter who keeps receiving invitrations despite being told EVERY single time that she can't donate for another year as she has a marginally low Hb.

[midget]

I'm way too old, but I still wish a Happy Christmas to all.

[englishangel]

Interestingly they have also dropped the upper age limit as long as the person is fit and well. I think they reckon that if they make it to 70 and are still able to donate they are unlikely to get anything that wouldn't be picked up by the basic blood tests.

[Katharine]

Mary I have a slight problem with dropping the upper age limit. This extension above 70 allows regular donors who have given in the previous two years to donate, provided they are in good health. I pointed out that if I returned to a malarial area once I was 70 that would be it for me - she noted it down and said they may not have thought of people like me - regular donors who have had malaria. Yesterday I told them that we are returning to Borneo next May which puts a three year hold on my giving as I have had malaria, so it is likely to be 2012 before I give again - though I will still be well under 70 then!

[blondie95]

Im not allowed to give due to occasional low blood pressure (can you imagine if they let me give a pint when my low blood pressure was low?) also have smale red blood cells making me potentially anemic and that too is a no no

[nastymum]

I have 'weak D' blood. I have no idea what this means but every time I have a blood test they recall me and put a question mark next to 'weak D'. Then I say, last time they said I was 'weak D'. Then they tut and confer and ask me to give blood. I trot a long and they they say they can't get any blood as they can't find a vein.The last time I went they told me never to come again as my veins were too much trouble.As I have had a life saving blood transfusion I will persevere.

[englishangel]

If you have had a blood transfusion since 1980 you should not be giving blood anyway. If it was pre-1980 I apologise.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

Having been a "Diabolical" on Insulin for 53 years, they won't accept my blood, this is strange, since any excess sugar would be almost immediately passed out --- but-- RULES IS RULES.
I have said that they can have any useful bits of me, (AFTER I snuff it !) but I suppose at 81 what is useful ?
I can still do 10 press-ups and run 100 metres --- neither as fast as I used to -------I can't understand it !
All my Progeny, and their partners are committed to providing organs for transplant --- but then 4 of them are Nurses !
I believe that the "Opt Out" system would be of benefit, but of the 8000 waiting, how many Operations can be performed, given an unlimited supply of Organs ?
PS -- Even my Super wife although an EX ITU Sister is ineligible , being also on Insulin for 28 years --- she swears it is catching ! ----- Togetherness is getting our "Fix"

[englishangel]

My offspring and I are all on the organ donor register but if you think about it for someone on the transplant list to be saved, someone (probably young and fit) has to die. Much as I agree with organ donation I hope I am never in a position to have to decide.