I've ALWAYS wanted to donate blood since i can remember but im only 14 and not sure if i can do it- my mum is against it so if i need consent at this age i wont be able to get it done- shes so selfish lool. Also, i want to give bone marrow (spelling) but i've heard its very painful- anyone know any details about this?My friends dad survived luekimia (again spelling) because of a bone marrow donar and i know how much it ment to her, so i want to do the same for someone else.
p.s: im terrified of needles but i promised myself i'd donate blood so i'm gonna have to get over it. lol
2007-05-31 23:26:35 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
http://www.blood.co.uk/index.html
It says on this website that you have to be between 17 and 59. You can't do it yet but it is such a worthwhile cause. I started donating blood when my 6 year old niece was rushed to hospital and needed a blood transfusion. I suddenly realised that if there wasn't the blood there she could have died. so I signed up and have been donating ever since.
2007-05-31 23:37:04 · answer #1 · answered by chelle0980 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're still a bit young to donate blood, as you haven't finished growing yet. I don't know where you're from but here in Ireland, you must be 18 before you can donate blood. And there are other factors that the blood donation board consider when you decide to donate. These will be discussed with you, and are nothing to be worried about. You will be asked to fill out a health and lifestyle questionnaire. From the questionnaire the staff will be able to determine your suitability to donate. They will also check your iron level, if it too low, they won't let you donate. The reason you would be deemed unsuitable at the moment, would be that you are just 14. When you donate, they take just under a pint of blood from you. As you haven't finished growing yet, it would probably affect you.
Also when you're 18, I think you can ask to be put on a register of bone marrow donors, you might be asked in your lifetime to donate. You might never be asked. That can be a painful procedure. It involves a needle inserted in your hip to take bone marrow cells from you. It is entirely up to you whether you want to do that.
I wouldn't call your mum selfish, she just knows that you're too young to do this right now. I think its great you want to do this, but you should wait until you're the right age.
2007-06-01 00:06:30 · answer #2 · answered by giggly nurse 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you have to be at least16 to donate blood. You also have to weigh at least 110 pounds. That's good that you want to be a donor, but it looks like you will have to wait a few years. You probably can't be a bone marrow donor until you're 18, unless you have a relative with an immediate need for bone marrow and you're a match.
2007-05-31 23:36:30 · answer #3 · answered by Andee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Australia you have to be 16 to donate blood. Not sure about bone marrow though, but yes I've heard it is very painful as the needle has to go into the bone, but is very worthwhile.
2007-05-31 23:36:11 · answer #4 · answered by w.eisa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to be 18. Apparently you are unable to consent to giving your own blood until you are over 18.
I actually gave blood when I was 17, and corrected my date of birth a couple of years later, explaining what I'd done, and got severaly chastised for it by the blood service staff.
I'm unsure about bone marrow.
2007-05-31 23:36:20 · answer #5 · answered by tripwire73 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm in the exact same situation. I don't know where you are, but I'm in Ireland and you have to be 18 to donate blood. I really want to donate, but I'm only 16.
I think if you have a rare blood type an exception might be made if it was a family member who would be getting the transfusion.
2007-05-31 23:43:21 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. Thorax 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
17 here in the UK. www.blood.co.uk
Well done for thinking about it! I done it for the first time last month and it was fine! I hardly noticed the needle at all. Everyone is really nice and put you right at ease.
I'm not sure about bone marrow, it isn't as straight forward as blood and you would probably need to speak to your doctor or NHS Direct about that.
What you are wanting to do is highly commendable - well done and don't let anyone put you of!
2007-05-31 23:53:20 · answer #7 · answered by Lovely Lady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After 18.
2007-05-31 23:39:08 · answer #8 · answered by Subhasis G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The youngest age that you can donate blood is 17 years, there is no consent issue.
2007-05-31 23:56:46 · answer #9 · answered by Dr Frank 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you can donate your blood at the age of 18 or 21.
2007-05-31 23:34:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋