Please donate blood!

I would check the the rules now. I had jaundice when young and couldn't donate- I can now. I only started donating when I was 60yrs and there doesn't seem to be a cut off point if you are already a donor.

Would be happy to do so but having had yellow jaundice and malaria when young they don't want mine!

I gave blood many years ago but like oldgoat came over funny and was laid out on the floor! The next time I went they said I was under 8 stone (ah remember those days sadly) and was told I couldn't do it and wasn't able to try again!

edit "a few days in hospital".

I spent a few days the week before last, and among other things had a blood transfusion. It was a strange experience - someone else's blood was giving me renewed energy etc. and still is.
I owe it to them to take more care of myself.
I've never given blood, but did go to offer here (France) when we first came. They refused because of the recent madcow disease epidemic in the UK.
For some operations here they take some blood from the patient in case they need it.

I’ve been a donor since I was of age to give blood. I’m O negative so am always welcomed but in my younger days I sometimes didn’t reach the minimum weight requirement, never likely to be a problem now {sigh}.

Glad your partner is on the mend.

I only used to go for the tuc biscuits! They don’t have them anymore but I still go?

Paw has 2 units of blood most weeks and I too am hugely grateful to all you blood donors. We are both A Rh Neg and I was a regular blood donor when younger. But as I had transfusions after each of my 4 C sections before the level of testing was as rigorous as it is now, I am no longer accepted as a donor, presumably in case I “picked anything up” in any of my transfusions.

Mumski- how is he doing?

I've always given blood in the UK (partly because I needed so much when I had a car accident when young) - despite having a rare blood group, where my blood can only be given to another with same group (AB+).

Here in Europe, people who were resident in UK during CJD crisis- are not allowed to give blood due to risk, sadly.

Got my silver and am working towards my gold. I was welcomed with open arms also, and was even sent a video once, entitled "You are special"

30 years ago I twice rang the Blood Transfusion Service and left messages asking about donating - I am still waiting for a reply! I am now too old and in any event having since had cancer I'm not sure I would be allowed to donate.

I had to stop donating blood because I came over funny in the middle of the blood-letting and came round with my legs stuck up in the air. Had a nice phone call from somebody at Blood Transfusion to check that I was OK who said "please don't come again because it puts other people off".

I give blood regularly but I'm lucky enough to live near to a donation center. I'm told told there is no upper age limit for existing donors. For new donors there is a limit of 66 (70 if you are a lapsed donor). I'm 73 and will continue until they tell me otherwise.

If you think you may be eligible go along and encourage others to because only a small percentage of the population do and they do need more blood. The UK screening process is very strict and we don't want to have to import blood products from less safe places.

Might be worth posting this on Mumsnet where most are of the right age.

I know how he felt. DD had to have a large skin transplant from her own thigh and complained bitterly that she went to hospital with one injury and came out with two. Not a real complaint. She was grateful for all the care and treatment she was given.

My husband is O neg and allergic to penicillin and was welcomed with open arms when he was young enough to donate. He also donated skin on one occasion, (the entire top surface of both thighs) but that was an experience he had no wish to repeat...

sorry your husband is in hospital...know the feeling my husband has recently been in hospital for three months Endocarditis

Glad that you can now see the end and well done to you for seeing the positive side to things

Rules may have changed as medical research moved on. If that is so it is a pity that the Blood Transfusion Service could not do more to inform those previously excluded from donating blood that they could resume donating.

MOica I'm allergic to penicillin too but it didn't seem to be an issue . You are all so amazing. Thank you for your lovely words of encouragement. When he hears all the plans our friends have made already for a wedding he may decide it's safer in hospital . xxx

Eglantine the impression I got was that something like penicillin or other drug allergies could be passed in the blood and would cause an adverse reaction if the recipient were taking the drug. I was told that if I had just had a food allergy that would not have precluded me from giving blood.

I'm a regular donor and have never heard of any problem with allergies. Because of that, I googled it and according to both SNBTS and the system in England (and Wales?) on a quick look, there shouldn't be a problem if you are not suffering from active allergic symptoms on the day you donate. If you are keen to get back to donating, it might be worth phoning whichever organisation is relevant to you, as the rules do keep changing. We don't get these texts in Scotland about where the blood has gone, but it sounds like a nice idea. I only do it for the cheesy biscuits, which I never get at any other time.

The biscuits have improved enormously over the years - and last time I went they had crisps on offer as an alternative.

The text message is a nice touch, spyder, isn't it? My last two pints went to Sunderland and Hammersmith. I'd sort of assumed until then that they'd just go to the local hospital.

Snap MOnica! Do we pass on our allergy in our blood? I was very sad when I couldn't get my free tea and biscuit anymore.
Glad your partner is on the mend, mumski.

Sorry Mumski....that should be partner, soon to be husband.

Mumski...I have donated blood since I was old enough to do so and I will continue until they say I can't. I think the age limit for existing donors is 70 so another 5 years to go!
I love the fact that the transfusion service now send a text message to tell you which hospital your donation has gone to, somehow that makes it more "personal"
Hope your husband makes a swift and full recovery