Blood donors

Pinch · 10-12-2009, 10:42 AM

Hi all

Thinking of giving something back in this festive season? How about blood?

I am now a regular blood donor, having been previously put off by information that I would not be able to donate as I had a number of pre-1980 blood transfusions. I have recently found out that this is no longer a barrier to donating.

Blood donors saved my wife’s life in August. Simple as that. Now its time for me to help start repaying some of that debt, especially now I know I can. This is one of my ways of ‘paying it back’.

So among all the things that we can do this Christmas charity wise, personally I ask that you consider donating blood if you can. There are a lot of people who can’t do it for many different reasons. Many people just can’t even get the time off work etc and that is basic reality, but if you can manage it, speaking from experience it is absolutely worthwhile.

Some major private and public sector employers grant you paid time off to do this.

Ironically my wife was a regular donor for years, but now can’t do it anymore for the foreseeable future due to medical reasons.

Especially with the road toll this year trending the way it is, there is a real chance that you will give someone the ultimate gift of all – their life.

http://www.donateblood.com.au/
Ph. 13 14 95

Thanks and have a merry and safe Christmas.

Andrew

Pinch · 10-12-2009, 10:50 AM

Sorry, this shouldn't be in the Pub. Thought I clicked on The Bar? Mods, can you please move.

Thanks

Pinch

**Raptor** · 10-12-2009, 10:53 AM

I'm a regular donor.

I'm also fortunate to work for a large organisation that actually encourages employees to donate and faciltates this through quarterly visits on site of the mobile blood bank (NSW).

It felt all the more worthwhile recently when a family member needed a transfusion or they wouldn't have survived.

[edit: thread relocated as requested]

dannyxm · 10-12-2009, 10:56 AM

I also donate blood. Really takes no time at all.

That and you get free fruit cake and a drink!

**Raptor** · 10-12-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny351

....That and you get free fruit cake and a drink!

Yep, donating with benefits

:

It's also a good way to keep a regular check on your blood_sugar/blood_pressure/weight and get your blood screened for any nasty diseases (hepatitus, HIV etc).

Almost as good as a visit to the doctors.

MAGPIE · 10-12-2009, 11:20 AM

I donated regularly until 2000 when here in NZ they excluded anyone who had lived in the UK over a certain period due to the BSE/CJD risk.

They must miss out on a heap of blood !

ToxikXR6 · 10-12-2009, 11:30 AM

im on the same type of storyline as Pinch as dad was short of blood in an emergency situation, the closest was about 25mins away.

done 3 donations now, at 17years of age. something small to help many people.

ED Ford Falcon · 10-12-2009, 12:38 PM

I am 17, and have donated 3 times...Gotta organise to donate again before christmas!

ohh and the free chocolate and drinks

...work is opposite a donor mobile which visits every 3 months!

outside · 10-12-2009, 12:51 PM

been doing it now for about 2 years, i started giving be-course of doc's advice, as i have high iron levels in my blood and the only way to get it down was to donate.
not that has really happened, still though the roof.
but its now become something i look forward to doing.
and yer the milk shakes arent to bad lol

Iggypoppin' · 10-12-2009, 12:59 PM

I wish I could donate :( unfortunatly I have had tattoos recently and they do not allow you to donate within two years of getting a tat. As soon as I can I will donate regularly again, as it has saved me once before too

MAD · 10-12-2009, 01:14 PM

I used to donate a lot but then time became an issue, I wish it didnt though.
I've just registered again, as for some reason a long while back I stopped receiving notifications of the mobile centre being in the area.

Powdered Toast Man · 10-12-2009, 01:56 PM

I've been a regular blood donor since I was 21 (now 30). When I lived near a perminant donor centre I used to donate every 10 weeks. Now I have to wait until the blood bank is visiting town. They are open after hours, normally until around 8:00pm so using the "cant get off work" excuse for many people is just that, an excuse.

Like Raptor mentioned, as well as it being a good civic responsibility it's also a good regular check of blood pressure etc.

**Giant Cranium** · 10-12-2009, 05:42 PM

going tonight to give plasma.

sneaky · 10-12-2009, 07:19 PM

i have wanted to donate blood for a few years now, especially after my wife needed some blood after having our daughter..

only problem is that i have been off and on medication for probably 10 years now and i can't donate while i'm on it, and the last time i was off the medication long enough to donate i had just had a tattoo done so couldn't go in for 12 months..

one day i hope to be well enough for long enough to get some blood taken..

-tim
ps, not life threatening illness, just inconvenient.. grr

**Giant Cranium** · 12-12-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76txcoupe

I wish I could donate :( unfortunatly I have had tattoos recently and they do not allow you to donate within two years of getting a tat. As soon as I can I will donate regularly again, as it has saved me once before too

1 year

xr6turbo2005 · 12-12-2009, 09:46 PM

how about an AFF National Donation Day sometime in the new year.

just an idea to throw around !!!!

Iggypoppin' · 12-12-2009, 09:53 PM

One year is that it? Awesome I'm there

Spudz27 · 12-12-2009, 09:58 PM

I would like to donate, but I am on blood thinning meds.

The Yeti · 13-12-2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xr6turbo2005

how about an AFF National Donation Day sometime in the new year.

just an idea to throw around !!!!

I dont know who it could be co-ordinated but its a great idea, I give blood, I jsut get an sms when the mobile one i use is back where I go I make an apointment and I go it takes bugger all time.

The Yeti · 13-12-2009, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xr6turbo2005

how about an AFF National Donation Day sometime in the new year.

just an idea to throw around !!!!

I dont know who it could be co-ordinated but its a great idea, I give blood, I jsut get an sms when the mobile one i use is back where I go I make an apointment and I go it takes bugger all time.

xr6turbo2005 · 13-12-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Yeti

I dont know who it could be co-ordinated but its a great idea

shouldn't be too difficult. co-ordinate directly with Red Cross, maybe they could arrange a mobile van.

Would need to get some numbers firsst and co-ordinators in each state / location.

BLKWDW · 13-12-2009, 09:10 AM

I've done it since i was 17 on a regular basis. Didnt consider it though till my best mate ended up in hospital and need constant blood transfusions.

bluestreak · 13-12-2009, 10:33 AM

I've been donating for a couple of years now and I'll be honest and say I never look forward to the appointment - I don't enjoy it at all. But the feeling you get from giving blood makes it more than worthwhile.

Since I've moved to a new area I now go to a new clinic with a particular hot nurse who always takes my blood, which is a nice bonus. Plus juice and bickies

:

Cheers

:

Force6 · 13-12-2009, 12:09 PM

Regular donor here too - A+ represent.

**Giant Cranium** · 13-12-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestreak

I've been donating for a couple of years now and I'll be honest and say I never look forward to the appointment - I don't enjoy it at all. But the feeling you get from giving blood makes it more than worthwhile.

Since I've moved to a new area I now go to a new clinic with a particular hot nurse who always takes my blood, which is a nice bonus. Plus juice and bickies

:

Cheers

:

the parra bloodbank has some good sorts too.
do they give you party pies as well or just bickies

bluestreak · 13-12-2009, 01:33 PM

I don't know if it's different from centre to centre, but at Fremantle and at Morley they give something to drink (tea, coffee, milkshake or one of a selection of juices), cake, chocolate biscuits, crackers and cheese, and a few other things. Mostly sweet stuff, never seen any party pies or such, though.

Cheers

:

**Giant Cranium** · 13-12-2009, 03:20 PM

ahh mate you are getting ripped.
I get juice whilst giving blood then pies, sausage rolls, veggie pasties, quiche, milkshakes, fruit cake, jelly beans and bickies.
I get one of each then chat up the bird and get the same again. love free food

ED Ford Falcon · 05-05-2010, 12:27 AM

I gave blood in march (first time at parramatta) expecting a hot nurse, and i got a bloke..

The free sausage rolls and milkshake were awesome but

DBourne · 05-05-2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ED Ford Falcon

I gave blood in march (first time at parramatta) expecting a hot nurse, and i got a bloke..

The free sausage rolls and milkshake were awesome but

The bloke was hot though right?

outside · 05-05-2010, 09:45 AM

lol its time for me to have another drain.