General Chat

A kick up the bum for me....after 70 odd donations of blood and platlets I havent donated for over 12 months as I have been ''too busy''...I will be there next time the van visits now I realise just how important it all is... (by the way avoid my blood on a Monday morning lol it may well put you over the drink drive limit)

I would have liked to donate my platelets and have been registered on the Anthony Nolan database for 22 years. A routine blood test during pregnancy indicated possible leukaemia, but was eventually diagnosed as ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) and resulted in a splenectomy, therefore since I 'recovered' I wanted to help someone who needs a bone marrow transplant.

I have re-visited the Anthony Nolan website tonight since reading this thread and think that I probably shouldn't have been considered as a donor in the first place. I'll 'phone and check it out tomorrow.

Lol Colin.... my sort of blood!

Crystal... I am sure they will let you know as soon as the need arises... but it would save dashing hopes... I was taken off the register by my specialist nurse... my brother had his stem cell transplant on the same ward, so they all knew him!... He had his own cells transplanted back in.... he still has the option of a donor transplant if that fails, and I was his closest match. Another brother is my closest match... good thing my mother had so many children.... all who are able to donate are on the register now... that is four of them, 4 of us can't.

~~~~~ to Elizabeth.... thank you for that info... I hope that it helps someone decide to donate.... just one person would be brilliant!

Maggie, I know how you feel.... it seemed that circumstances prevented me from donating as often as I would have wished.... I came off my drugs in the lead up to the first Gulf War, as I knew that my blood would be like gold dust!! If you remember, it was at a time when it was expected that there would be extremely high casualties from chemical or biological warfare..... I donated for the bank, and was already on the emergency list anyway... O neg can be given to virtually anyone, but can only receive it's own... I was told that I might even be asked to *piggy back* my blood! Fortunately, the war was over just as I needed to take my drugs again.

I was still ok as a bone marrow donor, though... that wasn't affected by the drugs, or at least it was sortable.

Take care all,

Love

Daff xxxxx

So glad to hear you are in remission Daff..............and may that be the case forever now and may you start to enjoy life as normally as possible once again:)

You have been one hell of a brave lady and an inspiration to us all, how you managed to post on here when you was so ill and do so so cheerfully, is incredible.

x

Lol Whirley... I feel really good!! I wasn't brave... just had no choice but Hobson's, lol.... I was known as *smiler* by some of the nurses, as well, lol..... but I have learnt over the years that if you are feeling dreadful, pin a smile on, and before long the smile becomes real and not forced!!

As for posting... how could I not, when so many of you lovely people were there rooting for me!! There was a time when I couldn't see properly... effect of one of the chemo's... and hubby would do the follow ups for me.. as everyone knows, lol But I drew my strength from those who supported me... so pat yourself on the back!

Love

Daff xxxx

I also sincerely thank Blood Donors, as I was so ill a few years ago, had internal bleeding, and after topped up with a transfusion, was well on my way to recovery.

OH applied to be a donor, but as he is over 70 he was not allowed to give.

My dear old Dad gave blood until he was 70 and had his silver badge.

So thank you all you wonderful donors.


Mo

Yes I know what you mean Theresa. I am from Scotland but have lived in Australia since 1991. I gave blood/platelets etc for many years in the UK and Oz until the mad cow thing. I cannot give blood now because apparently the issue is that they don't have a test kit to rule out being a carrier of the disease. Seems logical to me to get one and stop yelling that no-one gives blood anymore.
Melody

Nudge please.

Thank you.
xx

Nudge please.

When the weather gets a bit cooler,
can you think about giving blood?

Best wishes to all
xx

My OH used to be a regular blood donor
Had the bronze pin for so many donations.
She can no longer donate as she is on medication.

Hello, fancy seeing this nudged up!!

I had rather a lot of platelets and blood transfusions... I had Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.... so people like your OH David, and yourself in the past, Melody.... how many lives have been saved? I am just so grateful... people often think it is the chemo that kills the cancer,, but don't realise that chemo kills off *good* cells as well... in my case, the stem cells of my blood were cancerous...... so my bone marrow had to be zapped, lol..... that meant I had to have many transfusions to support my recovery... far more than the average.

It was an integral part of my treatmet.... and played a huge part in my current remission.... if I do have a relapse, and need a bone marrow transplant.... then I shall need even more..... very greedy, some of us recipients can be!

Love and many thanks to you all

Daff xxxx

I started giving blood, after having received a transfusion myself. As a thank you for the people that had donated what I received.
I gave blood on and off for about 27 years altogether.

Cannot give blood now due to medical reasons, but wish I could do so.
Liz

Many years ago my MIL worked at the Blood Unit at Newcastle General Hospital

Dear All

Ever thought about giving blood?

National Blood Service website is:

www.blood.co.uk/

0300 123 23 23

Lots of info and details about where you can donate.

Hope this helps
Best wishes to all
xx

giving blood, if you are able, is one of the most worth while things you could ever do, between my husband and i we have donated over 80 pints over the years, the staff are fantastic and a nice lie down in the middle of the day is very welcome in this hectic day and age. Glad to help.

Can't give anymore because of blood pressure medication, been a donor since forever though........I am always surprised that they can supply all the blood needed for operations.....

......I mean, its not as though there is just one type.......there are a few.......and unless you are a Universal Donor......type 0+ I think - no, just googled.....its 0-.......you can only give blood to those of the same type........so how on earth do they keep up with all the demands........some ops require pints and pints of blood, and these are going on all day, and every day.....

Luckily I have not needed a transfusion of blood or plasma, and it is nice of you Daff, to think of those who have given, in order for you to recover.....

x sally