NHS Organ Donor Register

EVERYONE should give if they can, not just those with a rare group.

Seriously, at the rate I'm sucking it down, I'm going to need all of you just to keep me going!

Another bag of red and one of single donor platelets on the cards for tomorrow, and I just had the same on Thursday.

I'm B+ for now, but it'll change after the bone marrow transplant (how cool is that??).

The thing about us common 'O' guys is that our blood can be used as a stopgap for those of other groups.  You could end up with some of mine one day.

Vicky

I might have to take up donating blood again once I get to the UK, I'm A+. I only stopped since the place I was going to here could never get my veins Cue me sitting in a chair for an hour while they wiggled a 16 gauge needle in my arm trying to get something, I have odd, deep veins that are at an angle slightly, because I'm special like that. The first few times I went they got it and it didn't bother me (going to school to be a medical assistant hardens you when it comes to being mercilessly poked by various size needles), but I think my vein was starting to scar. They would get half a pint then it'd just stop, and it was getting to the point where I couldn't really take them digging around anymore 

But I'll at least give it one more try when I get to the UK, maybe my vein has healed up by now

I have had real problems with my veins over the years...I remember one awful day when the nurse tried, then the doctor tried, and it still took five attempts and a lot of wiggling!

They are always trying new things to make your experience easier.  My donation on Thursday was a breeze, and my bruise has already gone.

Vicky

I'm on the organ donor list for here (UK) and BC, but I have always had lots of problems giving blood. I might look into it again!

Once I feel better, will continue to donate my blood and get myself on the UK bone marrow donor list...  I have always liked to donate blood, as I'm nice and rare...

I have had real problems with my veins over the years...I remember one awful day when the nurse tried, then the doctor tried, and it still took five attempts and a lot of wiggling!

They are always trying new things to make your experience easier.  My donation on Thursday was a breeze, and my bruise has already gone.

Vicky

Yeah I don't blame the poor phlebotomists who have to work with me--they'd start out with one, then bring over someone more experienced, then the manager, and then they'd all be stumped and realized it was probably starting to hurt having me sit there for all that time I only have experience with drawing small amounts of blood using much smaller needles (generally the Red Cross uses 16 gauge I believe, the ones I have experience with are between 20-22 or so) so I can't imagine doing something like that.

But I'll definitely try again once I get sorted, I really didn't mind doing it and I know other people need it, it can't hurt to try at least.

I used to have problems with donating. Being quite fair, my veins have a tendency to roll away and I also had problems with only being able to give a half a pint before it would seem to "dry up". Then one of my nurse friends suggested drinking loads of water in the hours leading up to the donation. It worked perfectly and I have had no issues since then, other than having to visit the loo a lot that day. 

Funny you should say that...the Blood Service are doing a trial on this, and are now asking people to drink 2/3 of a pint of water while waiting to donate.  I think it only started this year.

Vicky

Well it does make sense. You only have room for a certain volume of blood in your system. When the water is absorbed, it raises your blood volume higher than normal. Usually the only way it can get out is by going to the loo. However, if you stick a needle in your arm, it's more than happy to exit that way. 

Funny that it took them all these years to work this out then!

Vicky

People are good at ignoring the obvious. In all aspects of life. 

I used to donate blood regularly in the US.  They looooved me because I'm a really quick bleeder.  (Actually, I don't know if that IS such a good thing. )  Now that I'm in the UK, however, I haven't donated once and I'm feeling really bad about it.  After reading this thread, I think I'll look for a donation centre tomorrow.

Also, DH and I filled out our organ donor forms last month and just received our shiny new donor cards.  It makes me feel good to know that something I won't need anymore can be used to save a life. 

After reading this thread, I think I'll look for a donation centre tomorrow.

They may have actual centres in London I guess, and other major cities, but in many areas there are mobile units, either a truck parked up in a workplace carpark, or they set up for a day in a local hall. In which case you occasionally see sign-up places set up in a local mall or check online. (Just in case you have trouble finding one and wonder why!)

I went on the National Blood Service website and found a list of about 10 donation sessions coming up in my area.  No excuse now not to do it!