Blood

tombar
tombar Forum Participant Posts: 408
edited January 2016 in General Chat #1

With the poor girl in Thailand needing a blood transfusion, wouldn't it be a good idea if everyone's driving licence had their blood group on it?  Should also be included on the licence is willingness or not to donate your organs in the event of an accident
with either a yes or no answerUndecided (instead of a card stuck in your purse).  I would definitely say yes to my organs being used and
would be really annoyed if my relatives argued with me or went against my wishes.  My OH understands this and has no problem with it.  Said it would be spreading me around a bitHappy

Comments

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited January 2016 #2

    I'm not sure everyone knows their blood type.  I'm not sure I've had my blood type tested.  If you want to donate your organs move to Wales, which has adopted a system of presumed consent.  

  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
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    edited January 2016 #3

    I do know my blood group ... but only because I gave 1 pint (it was a pint then) primarily to find out Sad.  However I believe that they can now test blood so quickly that they do not now trust whatever you tell them anyway (whether as donor or recipient).

    I thought that driving licence applications DID ask you if you wanted to be an organ donor?? (mine is still an old style green one, so havn't seen an application form for a very long time).

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #4

    Obviously anyone who has given blood will know their blood group, I'm common old O. Margaret on the otherhand has a less common group. I think the problem now is that we both take so many medications between us no one would want our blood.

    David

  • taffyY
    taffyY Forum Participant Posts: 326
    edited January 2016 #5

    I was just about to say the same thing David and I have never been able to donate blood as I had jaundice as a child.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2016 #6

    I've been trying to give my arm full of A rhesus negative for ages now, but I can't coincide my shifts with when the Blood Group are in session locally Sad I've
    given 50+ 'pints' so far

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #7

    I think I only managed to donate about ten times. The Blood Transfusion Service used to run sessions where we worked and we were allowed time to give blood. For some reason this was no longer possible and we just got out of the habit. I should have been
    more committed.

    David

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #8

    The code 118 on your driving licence shows you are on the organ donor register.

    Many years ago, whilst undergoing a blood test, I asked what blood group I am in order to have it available should I be involved in an accident.

    300 siggy photo 6b161378-22ab-47bd-97dd-22af5e8f67ba_zpsbtkpqljt.jpg

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2016 #9

    .... The Blood Transfusion Service used to run sessions where we worked and we were allowed time to give blood.
    For some reason this was no longer possible and  ..

    As so often is the case, apparently they did the same where I worked ..... they don't like to pay you for lying down for half an hour.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2016 #10

     ..... Many years ago, whilst undergoing a blood test, I asked what blood group I am in order to have it available should I be involved in an accident.

    If you give blood, you get a card ..... it has your blood group on it

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,195 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #11

    .... The Blood Transfusion Service used to run sessions where we worked and we were allowed time to give blood.
    For some reason this was no longer possible and  ..

    As so often is the case, apparently they did the same where I worked ..... they don't like to pay you for lying down for half an hour.

    Same here, they used to take the blood in within the building, so time absent was the minimum.  I regret to say I haven't kept it up precisely because it isn't so conveinent these days.

  • kenexton
    kenexton Forum Participant Posts: 306
    edited January 2016 #12

    I used to give blood and plasma regularly  in Sheffield when I was younger because I am A- but when I tried to resume donating after a long break I was refused.I had had a blood transfusion in the late nineties when a minor op went badly wrong and now I
    am apparently unsuitable for donation.I found this puzzling and slightly alarming-CJD risk was stated as the reason by the staff at the Centre! What do you make of that?

  • tombar
    tombar Forum Participant Posts: 408
    edited January 2016 #13

    I'm AB+ and have given over 12 pints but cannot now give blood as my veins have collapsed.  If it takes over 12 minutes to get the blood out it damages the cells so my blood is only ok for the plasma.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #14

    Many years ago my Mum contracted hepatitis after receiving an infected post op blood transfusion. She became seriously ill but made a full recovery so all checks on blood donors are important. My dad always gave blood but my Mum would not have been able
    to donate after her illness.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #15

    I'm suprised at the amount of people that don't know their blood group, I was told mine when I was pregnant the first time and both of the boys had their blood groups marked on their tags after birth, we are all the very common O pos, other half is A rhesus
    neg but if he is to receive blood he must be given  A pos he carries a card to that effect. OH gives blood as often as he can, there is a mobile unit every month in our city with appointments all day/evening he usually books his next appointment as he's just
    finished giving. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2016 #16

     .... he usually books his next appointment as he's just finished giving. 

    So do I, but unreasonably they won't always be there on my rest days Wink

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #17

     .... he usually books his next appointment as he's just finished giving. 

    So do I, but unreasonably they won't always be there on my rest days Wink

    That's unfortunate, isn't there the facility to give blood at a near by hospital, I ask as the main hospital in our area has that facility 3 days a week, they do have the main blood bank there though so not sure if that's the same in other places.Undecided

    PS told OH you are same blood group, he's 2 donations behind you so not got the gold badge yetWink

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2016 #18

     ....PS told OH you are same blood group, he's 2 donations behind you so not got the gold badge yetWink

    You made me look on line ...... I've given more than I thought. 61 so far Surprised 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #19

     ....PS told OH you are same blood group, he's 2 donations behind you so not got the gold badge yetWink

    You made me look on line ...... I've given more than I thought. 61 so far Surprised 

    Now your just bragging Laughing Oh has given 48 times that count and 1 that didn't (in Italy while on holiday) they gave him a packet
    of Spagetti as thanks for the donationLaughing

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2016 #20

     .....

    Now your just bragging Laughing Oh has given 48 times that count and 1 that didn't (in Italy while on holiday) they gave him a packet
    of Spagetti as thanks for the donationLaughing

    If we're counting donations that don't count Innocent ..... I gave a pint in Mombassa to help a young girl suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia
    .... It was done above board under Royal Navy conditions. Wink I got a can of beer.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited January 2016 #21

    They change the criteria for giving blood fairly regularly and I though only a recent blood transfusion was a bar.  They told me recently I had given 10 pints - sheesh - they have got that wrong - only 10 pints in Market Rasen - they have lost me off the
    system in all the other places I have donated!  Sadly last time they decided I wasn't suitable but I want to appeal against that - as my doctor agrees there is no reason not to - and many reasons to keep on doing it.  For one thing it helps guard against having
    a stroke.  There used to be an age limit but there isn't now.  Well worth looking into it as it is a worthwhile thing to do and you never know when someone close to you or you might need a donation. 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #22

     

    Now your just bragging Laughing Oh has given 48 times that count and 1 that didn't (in Italy while on holiday) they gave him a packet of Spagetti as thanks for the donationLaughing

    If we're counting donations that don't count Innocent ..... I gave a pint in Mombassa to help a young girl suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia .... It was done above board under Royal Navy conditions. Wink I got a can of beer.

    ... OH says a can of beer would have gone down nicely with the spagettiWink I forgot about the times he donated while serving in Germany they got paid for each donations in those days, once we were on our way to the Rhine Army summer show when there was an annoucement on the BFBS radio that there had been a bad accident and could all donors in the area please go and give blood, so we had a wee diversion to the show.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2016 #23

     

     . .... I forgot about the times he donated while serving in Germany they got paid for each donations
    in those days, once we were on our way to the Rhine Army summer show when there was an annoucement on the BFBS radio that there had been a bad accident and could all donors in the area please go and give blood, so we had a wee diversion to the show.

    Your OH half trumps me with that then ...... Laughing

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited January 2016 #24

    Well done everyone who donates!  Laughing

  • robsail
    robsail Forum Participant Posts: 1,441
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    edited January 2016 #25

    I remember the days when after donating you got some guiness!

    I have passed the 50 mark no guiness these days!

  • sailorgirl2
    sailorgirl2 Forum Participant Posts: 153
    edited January 2016 #26

    I've been trying to give my arm full of A rhesus negative for ages now, but I can't coincide my shifts with when the Blood Group are in session locally Sad I've
    given 50+ 'pints' so far

    Write your comments here...Well done you. Many years ago there was a car accident near to us and in the family of four three were A+ and my married neighbours were both A+ and both of them were picked up from their place of work by the Police to donate as
    there was a shortage and they needed it for the family..so well done you !SG2

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited January 2016 #27

    Funnily enough although sometimes a shortage of the more rare type - its the O Positive they need a lot of as I believe it is safe to use on anyone.  So even if you have "common blood" it is still in great demand!