Donating Blood

[FarmerJon]

I was just wondering how many people out there donate blood on a regular basis. I give whenever there's a donation centre anywhere near me, and dont really see a big deal with it. I understand that some people dont like needles or something, but it amazes me when some of my friends (even ones intending to be healthcare professionals) say that they júst can't be bothered to go.
The country's blood reserves are pretty appauling, and it really only takes an hour or so of anyone's time (including if there's a queue), so why dont more people do it?? Suggestions, reasons & the like below

[nichomach]

I have in the past, but I haven't been recently (oops) and I really should.

[Tumble]

I do try and get to the sessions I've been booked for... not always possible tho. We have a dedicated, permanent blood-letting clinic in the old hospital buildings, plus mobile units that zip here there and everywhere occasionaly

[Rave]

I've given blood four times in my life, all were when the mobile van came to my old university. Since I've moved to London I've not seen a local session, and the 'walk-in' unit in my local hospital closed a few years ago. Like most people I'd like to give blood more regularly, but they don't make it that easy for a disorganised chap like me.....

Rich :¬)

[Flibb]

I was a regular but had to stop due to my job. I work with bulk chemicals and bulk drug substance (legal stuff not happy dust), on daily basis I can handle 100kg of pure drug substance so was told they didnt want me

[streetster]

wierd.. i was about to make a thread about this before this just caught my eye... giving blood later this afternoon (girlfriend is roping me into it! prolly cos she reckons they will think she's anemic so it'll just be me whos blood is getting sucked out)... shall report back this evening (as im off to the pub a bit afterwards, whats the score about drinking before/after?)

[nichomach]

Aside from it's a REALLY cheap way to get utterly shedded?

[Tumble]

the phrase "not enough blood in your alcohol stream" springs to mind streetster... and as for before - not a good idea.. cos if you go wobbly as they drain ya - you look like a right wally when all the nurses rush over, drop the head of the bed and whack your feet in the air.... it's supposed to help the blood get back into your brain, but the shock of it is enough to wake you up Plus of course - you'll feel utterly rubbish, worser than the worsest hangover you've ever had. Best thing to do is eat something first and then go and give blood - a pint is a serious amount to lose if it's not controlled - you've only got 8 in you...

[Barakka]

Gave regular as clockwork from the age of 18 until a few years ago when they changed the form you fill in when go in... about the time they got a lot more organised (if you've been you'll know what I mean). Anyway, I went in and they had a new form to sign that they'd changed to say basically "We can test your blood for whatever we want to without exception", before it used to be for listed conditions/diseases etc. but they changed it to give them carte blanche rights. I walked out and haven't been back since, although i've actually been thinking about going back recently...

[FarmerJon]

Don't drink beforehand, since imagine if your blood gets given to a neonate kid in an emergency! not perhaps the best situ imaginable...but drinking after...well it does get u hammered quickly & cheaply but personally i always end up getting horrifically hammered & doing stupid things (hmmm could ask the question as to why i always drink after giving blood then?!). But seriously, in terms of the blood being tested, it makes sense. They have to make sure that if they give the blood to a kid with no immune system that they're not going to kill the poor kid. Everything they find is completely confidential anyway.
Dont forget that as an extra bonus you get free tea/coffee & some biscuits afterwards!

[streetster]

hmm maybe i'll stick to a half in the pub and yes, thats sarcasm i'll have a coke/water

[Rave]

I never noticed much difference boozing after giving blood, but for some reason I could drink a lot more whan I was a student than I can now.

Rich :¬)

[streetster]

im back, minus 470ml of blood piece of cake really, plus i got some free biscuits and orange squash, top banana! its amazing(ly pathetic) that only 6% of the uk donate blood?! shockingly awful imo...

[luap.h]

I did it as soon as I could, was a great way to get out of school for a bit - we had blood drives in the assembley hall. Then leaving school, I got lazy, then i got pierced, then inked, then pierced - so they don't want me until May 2005

[Jiff Lemon]

Used to give regularly but then had to stop for medical reasons.
Really should get back into the habit of donating again; lifes just too hektic for me at the mo though.

[Paul Adams]

Phobia with needles - I pass out with injections or blood samples.
The rational part of my brain screams at me that there is nothing wrong with it, but it doesn't help - my vision goes grey and the next thing I know I'm waking up in a cold sweat.

Hell, I'm such a wuss I passed out having my teeth x-rayed (broke a very expensive machine with my head when I fell too, oops).