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  • deb
    deb
    Posted on:
    26th Dec 2011 04:02pm

    Last Post 10th Oct 2012
    Replies     60

    Discussion: Donate blood!!

    Everyone should donate blood, if they are able, obviously ther are a few people who are not able to donate, so the rest of us should step up for them.! About 5 years ago, I needed an operation which then required me to receive four units of blood. Only 3 were available in the entire hospital, which meant I took a lot longer to recover. This is the easiest thing to donate, and costs you nothing, just an hour of your time, every three months. Can you think of a reason why you should not donate??

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  • Ambercol
    Ambercol
    Posted on:
    17th Feb 2012 07:58pm

    Ambercol says: Hi Deb I have been donating since 1998, it is so rewarding to see so many people are turning up at the center, I go to every 3 months to help others by donating their blood. I think the message has gotten out there.

    Hopefully in the near future Australians will be more giving of donating their organs by becoming an organ donor.

    Glad that you had a good recovery.

    Reply to Ambercol

  • deb
    deb
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 10:04pm

    Ambercol says: Hi Deb I have been donating since 1998, it is so rewarding to see so many people are turning up at the center, I go to every 3 months to help others by donating their blood. I think the message...

    deb says: Hi there, I have only begun donating after experiencing the desperate need for a blood transfusion. But I can list at least a dozen of my friends who are not willing to even give blood once. It hadn't crossed my mind but as soon as I realised I could give, I did.

    Reply to deb

  • Ambercol
    Ambercol
    Posted on:
    20th Feb 2012 01:46pm

    deb says: Hi there, I have only begun donating after experiencing the desperate need for a blood transfusion. But I can list at least a dozen of my friends who are not willing to even give blood once. It...

    Ambercol says: My daughter who is now 25, at the age of 14 she needed an operation at Westmead Hospital. While she was having the operation, I went for a walk and passed the Red Cross Blood Bank Parramatta, thats the first day I donated blood and have been donating ever since.

    Reply to Ambercol

  • deb
    deb
    Posted on:
    3rd Mar 2012 08:22pm

    Ambercol says: My daughter who is now 25, at the age of 14 she needed an operation at Westmead Hospital. While she was having the operation, I went for a walk and passed the Red Cross Blood Bank Parramatta, thats...

    deb says: Thanks forletting me know what got you started.

    Reply to deb

  • botty
    botty
    Posted on:
    7th Oct 2012 12:15pm

    Ambercol says: Hi Deb I have been donating since 1998, it is so rewarding to see so many people are turning up at the center, I go to every 3 months to help others by donating their blood. I think the message...

    botty says: Spot on Deb The staistics 1in3 need and 1 in 30 give , is a damming indictment of the average Australians apthy re this worthy community RESPONSIBILTY.j

    Reply to botty

  • PGS
    PGS
    Posted on:
    17th Feb 2012 08:20pm

    PGS says: I use to. When I hit the 25th time, I was told not to come back.
    My wife is Asian & apparently (according to RCBB) they pick up HIV at the airport each time they go home. Made no difference that she is and always was clean, was cleared for all tests to be allowed to migrate...

    Bit of a shame really, I have one of the rarer ones they need.

    Reply to PGS

  • deb
    deb
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 10:08pm

    PGS says: I use to. When I hit the 25th time, I was told not to come back.
    My wife is Asian & apparently (according to RCBB) they pick up HIV at the airport each time they go home. Made no difference...

    deb says: Hi PGS, It truly is a shame when a seemingly healthy person is not allowed to donate. I'm not sure about your situation, but they are always introducing new tests to allow more people to donate. I am O- blood type which is used for evryone, but for me, when I needed it, there was not enough in the hospital.I do hope something changes, which would allow you to be a donor again.

    Reply to deb

  • Ambercol
    Ambercol
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 10:12pm

    PGS says: I use to. When I hit the 25th time, I was told not to come back.
    My wife is Asian & apparently (according to RCBB) they pick up HIV at the airport each time they go home. Made no difference...

    Ambercol says: That is a shame PGS, you certainly done your part by donating 25 times and I am sure it was appreciate. Well done!

    Reply to Ambercol

  • Sarahg
    Sarahg
    Posted on:
    17th Feb 2012 11:53pm

    Sarahg says: I am not allowed to donate blood in Australia because I lived in the UK in the 1990's (so they say I might have BSE) Haven't they got tests for that yet? More people would donate if they were allowed to.

    Reply to Sarahg

  • deb
    deb
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 10:11pm

    Sarahg says: I am not allowed to donate blood in Australia because I lived in the UK in the 1990's (so they say I might have BSE) Haven't they got tests for that yet? More people would donate if they were...

    deb says: I gave blood again this week, and at the coffee table they had a newsletter which outlined new measures for deciding if someone could give blood or not. Not sure how many changes they've made, but they are trying to accommodate all who offer, if they can.

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  • Ambercol
    Ambercol
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 10:18pm

    Sarahg says: I am not allowed to donate blood in Australia because I lived in the UK in the 1990's (so they say I might have BSE) Haven't they got tests for that yet? More people would donate if they were...

    Ambercol says: Saragh I went to the Red Cross Blood Donors site and this is what they have to say about living in the uk back 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1996. The rules have not changed. Sorry.

    http://www.donateblood.com.au/files/pdfs/Residency%20in%20UK%201980-1996%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf



    Reply to Ambercol

  • annacathryn
    annacathryn
    Posted on:
    20th Feb 2012 11:28am

    Ambercol says: Saragh I went to the Red Cross Blood Donors site and this is what they have to say about living in the uk back 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1996. The rules have not changed. ...

    annacathryn says: It's a real shame that they won't let us Brits donate. I used to give blood all the time in England and would love to feel that I could make a difference here too.
    If somebody needed blood and the choice was using mine (with a very minimal risk of contracting Mad Cow) or going without, surely it's a no brainer? Or maybe they could have a Pommy blood bank so my English blood goes to other Brits now living in Oz!

    Reply to annacathryn

  • deb
    deb
    Posted on:
    3rd Mar 2012 08:24pm

    annacathryn says: It's a real shame that they won't let us Brits donate. I used to give blood all the time in England and would love to feel that I could make a difference here too.
    If somebody needed blood and...

    deb says: That's a great idea, maybe theyb need an idea put in their heads

    Reply to deb

  • TimsGirl
    TimsGirl
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 04:14am

    TimsGirl says: Sadly, a lot more people aren't allowed to donate than most people realise. That's why it's so important for those who can, that they do so.

    I used to give blood when I was a teenager but was ruled out a few years later - in the past decade I've had five operations and a tattoo, and every time I've served out the waiting period after each, I've been on antibiotics or been rejected for other medication I take.

    More recently I've found that people with chronic fatigue syndrome are no longer allowed to give blood, that now rules me out until they change the rules.

    I'd love to give blood, it's simple, very little pain, costs nothing and so important. But unfortunately I can't.

    Reply to TimsGirl

  • deb
    deb
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 10:13pm

    TimsGirl says: Sadly, a lot more people aren't allowed to donate than most people realise. That's why it's so important for those who can, that they do so.

    I used to give blood when I was a teenager but...

    deb says: I'm sorry you are too unwell to give blood, I just wish everyone would try it just once, it could be a chance for a lot of new donators.

    Reply to deb

  • Eileen
    Eileen
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 08:30am

    Eileen says: I too have received blood transfusions during and after surgery so I decided I would also donate blood. However after having my thumb pricked to see if I was suitable the nurse laughed at me and said, "If you can hang around for a while we might be able to give you a couple of pints"!

    Reply to Eileen

  • deb
    deb
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 10:19pm

    Eileen says: I too have received blood transfusions during and after surgery so I decided I would also donate blood. However after having my thumb pricked to see if I was suitable the nurse laughed at me and...

    deb says: Hi Eileen, I'm so glad you gave it a try, where you still unwell? How does a person go to a blood donation centre and be told "we might be able to give you a couple of pints".?? I have been through four major operations, two minor operations, radiation therapy and numerous rounds of medication, but I had to wait two years for the all clear. Now I'm what they call a VIP, rare blood type that always pumps out quickly and, so far has always been a useable supply.

    Reply to deb

  • Eileen
    Eileen
    Posted on:
    19th Feb 2012 02:17pm

    deb says: Hi Eileen, I'm so glad you gave it a try, where you still unwell? How does a person go to a blood donation centre and be told "we might be able to give you a couple of pints".?? I have been through...

    Eileen says: I am very anaemic it seems which I think was the major problembut I also have numerous allergies and Bronchiactesis ( a lung disorder caused by having parents who smoked throughout my childhood). So I guess the healthy blood count wasn't very promising but I am so grateful that others can donate

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  • deb
    deb
    Posted on:
    19th Feb 2012 03:07pm

    Eileen says: I am very anaemic it seems which I think was the major problembut I also have numerous allergies and Bronchiactesis ( a lung disorder caused by having parents who smoked throughout my childhood)....

    deb says: Wow, I'm sad to hear of your complications. Guess I'm quite lucky to be well after all I've been through.

    Reply to deb

  • Ambercol
    Ambercol
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 10:22pm

    Eileen says: I too have received blood transfusions during and after surgery so I decided I would also donate blood. However after having my thumb pricked to see if I was suitable the nurse laughed at me and...

    Ambercol says: I hope your health has improved Eileen. You did at least try, that is more than a good number of people have done. Well done for your attempt. :)

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