Blood- they want it!

Always used to give blood but I was stopped because of more stringent screening as I had blood after each of my C sections (35-40 years ago) and apparently in those days screening was less rigorous.
As DH has 2 units every 2-3 weeks I am very appreciative and grateful to all the blood donors out there.

Can one give blood at our advanced ages?

How advanced are you, if you are under 66 you can give for the first time. Over that you have to have been a regular donor.

There are restrictions regarding BMI too amongst others

What a very worthwhile thing to do if you can. Too late for me but I did it for some time when younger. You could save a life.

i cannot give blood apparently because of the type of drugs that I am on.

I used to give blood when I was younger and because I'm O neg (the universal donor). Now I don't as I'm getting on a bit but my son has the same blood group so he carries on the giving.

I think if you can't give any more it's worthwhile seeng if you can persuade younger relatives to give instead.

I think it is because the restrictions have to be so stringent for safety reasons. I have always been on medication and I think they won't take you if you take any drugs at all.

I used to give regularly but then I became anaemic so had to stop. Some years later I had overcome the anaemia but by then I was on medication which prevented my giving blood.
My DD has A neg and has regularly donated. Her DD is O neg and I suspect will be encouraged to donate when she's adult.

I was told years ago in my twenties that I couldnt, as I am small and need my own blood. I was right miffed at the time!

I am AB positive and donated blood until I started having to take daily asthma inhalers which meant they didn't want me any more!

I do wonder if the under-40s of today have the same knowledge we had about the need for blood donating. Maybe a big advertising drive aimed at them might encourage a bigger take-up? It would be interesting to know the age demographic of donors as I suspect it is middle-aged and older who donate the most.

Teetime and Gagagran it might be worth checking on the blood website if you can donate. I think the rules have been relaxed somewhat re prescription drugs. I take thyroxine and a statin but can still donate. Just given my 41st donation.

I'm not sure, but I think the age limit is 70.

Some years ago I contacted them several times, phone (answer machine), email and letter asking about donating - I never received a reply so I have never donated. Since then I have had cancer so don't suppose I would be allowed to now.

Used to donate regularly but on reaching 70 was told that was the cut off age.

What do you mean by 'small', obieone? Height-wise or weight-wise?

Weight.
The doctor there at the time said they dont, or didnt allow anyone under 8 stone to give blood. It wasnt on there dos and donts of the board at the donation centre at the time, but a doctor came over while I was near the front of the queue.
It might not be the same now? No idea.

I'm a blood donor and am always pleased to see a good range of ages donating when I go. I've been on the register since I was 18, but have only made 41 donations, as there are so many times you can't give. During pregnancy, as a new mum, after travelling to certain countries, having your ears pierced, having dental work, when you're unwell, even with a cold. I missed my last one because even though I was fit and well I'd broken a bone in my hand (which reminds me I still need to reschedule). I'm B neg, and still aiming to get to at least 50 donations.

I've had little success recruiting the next generation. One came with me a few times but fainted twice, one has a real fear of needles and wouldn't even want to be in the room, the other is incredibly busy but I'm still working on her!

In grump mode, however, The Blood Service is forever banging on about donor shortfalls, but doesn't really help itself. When I worked I couldn't guarantee what time I'd get there so had to turn up without an appointment, and was turned away a couple of times as they were fully booked. Then they stopped using our local church hall, already a mile away and always packed, as my previous point shows, as a cost-cutting exercise. My nearest centre is now a village hall over 3 miles away, and there's only one bus an hour to it. I'm sure they'll have lost donors by doing this - we're not all drivers.

Obieone you have to weigh at least 7 stone 12 lbs...sorry don't do metric

I went when I retired at 60 and they wouldn't let me donate because I hadn't been for a few years due to working odd hours.
I was quite cross because I'm B rhesus neg and I think it's fairly rare.

Gagagran AB+ here too- we are quite rare- and unfortunately can only give to other AB+ers- so not particularly useful, but I always gave blood until we moved here. I am no longer allowed to give blood as anyone who lived in the UK during the CJD crisis is banned as high risk!

Could the fall in numbers of people donating blood these days be a consequence of the popularity of tattooing. You have to wait at least four months after getting a tattoo to be a donor.

I gave blood for some years but during the 1980s when they were tightening up the criteria blood donors must meet. I was then told I could not give blood because I am allergic to penicillin. I felt quite upset when I got the formal letter saying thanks, but no thanks, even though I knew and fully understood why I could not.

DD has started donating recently so it is good to know we still have a donor in the family.

Maggie I agree with your comments about the Blood service not helping itself. My OH and I find it difficult to commit to an appointment time and always preferred it when we could just turn up. Now, as you say, if you don't make an appointment they seem to think it okay to keep you waiting for an unacceptable time. I also find it has become much more 'conveyor belt' orientated.

However, we both still go and feel we should do as long as we can. Have tried to get our families involved, without success, sadly.