Do you give blood?

Question

If not, why not? Has the 'threat' of AIDS and other blood related diseases detered you from giving blood?

Please note 'originalb' person, that the word threat is in inverted commas to denote that there's NO threat whatsoever in contracting AIDS.

Answer 1

Yes, I'm a regular donor. I give blood at my local health centre as and when they require me to do so. You register your details after the first voluntary donation, and the 'vampires' contact you if they need to. In most cases I donate a pint of blood at a time.
I think people are scared and ignorant towards donating blood. Understandably scared of needles, but a lot of people are ignorant to the facts about AIDS and the 'risk' of infection. These people are trained professionals, not some back-street abortionist using dirty equipment in filthy rooms. Every procedure is clinically clean and I for one have no fears of contracting anything from donating blood.

Answer 2

The National Blood Service (NBS) needs a big kick up its racist backside. For years it has claimed that it wants more black donors, but then it goes out of its way to exclude them from donating. It even excluded me, and I'm white!

How? Well it's to do with HIV, surprise surprise. When HIV/AIDS was first identified, the NBS banned all donors from sub-Saharan Africa, and their sexual partners. At the time, that didn't affect me. [The NBS hysteria over HIV reached a crescendo in the late 1980s when donors at my centre were asked to declare if they had visited Thailand, Brazil, the Caribbean .... and .... wait for it .... New York!] Some sense of proportion and reasonableness was reached in the 1990s, when the ban applied to those who had been sexually active in sub-Saharan Africa in the previous six months, and their sexual partners. This still did not apply to me. Then, some time this decade, they changed the rule again. Now it applies to those who have been sexually active in sub-Saharan Africa at any time, and their sexual partners. By then I had made love with an African woman - shock horror! She had had sex in Africa, but many years ago before coming to the UK. As an honest man, I ticked yes to the new version in the questionnaire, and got banned forever. I had given blood over 50 times.

When I first started giving blood in the 1980s, I had recently returned to UK from living in Caracas, Venezuela. At first these ignorant fools were reluctant to take my blood because of malaria: "Caracas - is that jungle?". Then for many years they tested my blood for T-Cruxi (Trypanosoma cruzi), a disease transmitted by insects that "live in the walls of mud huts". Can you see all the ignorant assumptions being made?

At present NBS is advertising on community radio stations that are directed at black listeners. How can it hope to promote something socially responsible like donating blood, if its own policies are intrinsically racist? Me, I am emigrating next year to the Caribbean, where I intend to resume giving blood. I bet the controls there are practical, and make a lot more sense.

Answer 3

I won't give blood, as I hate needles (Many will say it's a weak excuse, but I'm serious) I will happily donate money for sterile equipment, but I couldn't go down there and be jabbed.

For anyone who thinks bad of me, I am an active member of the Royal British Legion, and I have a direct debit donation to the RSPCA. I buy the Big Issue too.

I just hate needles...

Answer 4

I always planned to, because my parents did, but unfortunately I nearly died during surgery in 1998 and they had to give me 8 units of blood (donations from 8 people!). After you've had a transfusion they won't take your blood for 20 years!

My Mum and Dad can't give blood anymore either, as they both have to take medication every day for the rest of their lives.

I constantly urge my boyfriend and sister to donate, but they both hate needles and blood makes them feel sick/faint. I've been stuck with so many needles and had so much blood drawn for tests that I really wouldn't be bothered, but they (sis and bf) have never really had that so it scares them.

I really wish I could donate though, and am so grateful when others do - without people like them I wouldn't be typing this! :D

Answer 5

Yes, I am a regular donor and because I have a rare blood type (B negative, only 2% of the population in England) I feel it is right to do so. There are very good health procedures in place to prevent infection and nothing would put me off doing my bit to save a life. If people can, they should.

Answer 6

I don't give blood because I am on lifelong medication and was told the medication could get passed on in the blood. No blood bank will take my blood. It's a pity as chances of it getting passed are probably slim and I am o-ve, which is the universal doner.

Answer 7

No I don't give blood because they can never get it out of me, I have to go to the path lab at the hospital and have mine taken because I have deep veins, I have been a few times to give blood but they just can't do it and it hurts too much when they try.

Answer 8

I can't give blood myself as I currently have Hodgkin's Lymphoma, however, I have had to have several blood transfusions to help me through the lymphoma so as soon as I'm back on track I will be donating my blood. It is a really important thing to do, I never realised how much so until I found myself needing some.

Answer 9

I am not able to give blood as I am taking medication as my blood would not be compatible.
I would most certainly give blood if able and when blood is taken it is done in a sterile way and would not effect the donor and then tested so it is perfectly safe and much needed for sick people in hospitals so please do not be put off being a donor.

Answer 10

Absolutely. The only time that I miss a sesssion is if I am working that day. Apart from that I am also on the Bone Marrow donors list.
I may need the service myself one day and I like to know that like minded people are willing to help those in need.