a peek inside the fishbowl

1 | Mary Lynn

February 6th, 2009 at 4:26 pm

Would if I could. Lived in the UK for four months in 1992 and am now barred from giving blood. I used to give regularly. I know they have reasons for being so cautious, but it bums me out that I can’t give anymore.

2 | Krista

February 6th, 2009 at 5:06 pm

I’m in! Actually I made an appointment yesterday to go on Feb 18. I donated for the first time last November and my goal for 2009 is to donate every 3 months.

3 | Soire

February 6th, 2009 at 6:03 pm

I’m not allowed :( I flagged a false pos. when I was pregnant with my first (and didn’t know I was preg yet) and they barred me forever.

Understandable, but still :(

4 | Chantal

February 6th, 2009 at 8:08 pm

Thats a great idea. I just may give it a whirl!

5 | Sheila D

February 6th, 2009 at 10:51 pm

Great idea. I gave in January and must wait a bit before I donate again.

6 | EmmyB

February 7th, 2009 at 9:39 am

I’m a big fan of the Blood Services – they used to pay me! Unfortunately, I lived a couple of years in the UK, so also can’t donate.

Do check out the bone marrow and stem cell registry information (OneMatch) on http://www.bloodservices.ca as well.

7 | Ginger

February 7th, 2009 at 11:45 am

I have never given blood. But I have been thinking about it since the boys have been born. I have a hard time with needles…but…if I can have surgery then I should be able to handle 10 minutes of donating blood. I am in. I am making an appointment!

8 | porter

February 7th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

I used to donate blood regularly, can’t remember when that stopped…I think when I worked for two bosses who frowned on their staff taking lunch!!
I would be in but I can’t swing it by Valentines day. I know it doesn’t take that long but it’s something I have to fit into my already too tight schedule between now and then….BUT I will do it before the end of Feb (if there is a clinic or if I can get an appointment). I have no probs donating blood…not even a prob with the fact that most of the time when I do I end up with huge bruises up and down my arm (it’s true).

9 | Tali

February 7th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

I used to be a regular, but will probably wait until I’m done nursing…who knows when that’ll be!

10 | Ginger

February 7th, 2009 at 10:26 pm

So I did it! My husband and I both have appointments for 2pm on Valentine’s Day. It is the only time he is available to go all week because of all the high school sports going on right now.

11 | andrea

February 7th, 2009 at 10:36 pm

Yay! You guys are the best!

12 | Wendy

February 7th, 2009 at 11:17 pm

Was about to stick my hand up but what’s all this about living in the UK?

I’m a Brit (Can’t help it, I was born that way) Does that disqualify me. I’m O-ve and know that it’s rare-ish.

More info anyone? Don’t want to schlep along and be turned down.

Wendy

13 | andrea

February 8th, 2009 at 8:49 am

I didn’t actually see anything about the UK thing on the page about basic eligibility … but it might be best to call. 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

14 | Mark

February 8th, 2009 at 9:05 am

From the Canadian Blood services website:

“People are not eligible to donate blood or plasma if they have spent a cumulative total of three months or more in the United Kingdom (U.K.) between January 1980, and December 31, 1996, or if they have spent a cumulative total of three months or more in France between January 1980, and December 31, 1996, or if they have spent a cumulative total of five years or more in Western Europe outside the U.K. or France since 1980. In addition, people will no longer be eligible to donate blood or plasma if they have had a blood transfusion in the U.K., France or Western Europe since 1980. This is owing to the risk of transmission of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD) through blood.”

15 | Mike Gifford

February 8th, 2009 at 4:52 pm

I’m lined up to give blood on Monday morning (just by coincidence). I’m O-, babies blood I think they call it. Great for everyone else I think.

16 | Mom on the Go

February 9th, 2009 at 9:05 am

Thanks for the reminder! I’m not eligible until the 16th but I hadn’t remembered to make an appointment.

For Tali: the Blood Services site says breastfeeding women can donate after 6 months. I used blood donation as a guilt-free reason to get out of the house alone when my daughter was young. No one hardly talks to you, they certainly don’t ask for anything and they give you cookies and doughnuts at the end ;+)

17 | Melissa

February 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

I don’t go anymore because I always get my finger pricked and then they inform me loudly that I’m not permitted to give blood because my iron levels are always too low. It was always a little embarrasing :) My iron is always low and sometimes requires supplements but generally not a worry for my doc, but blood services always rejects it.

I’ve not gone for years ‘tho so maybe I should try again – I’ll be inspired and let you know what happens. If I get finger pricked and they reject me ‘tho – you owe me a cookie andrea!

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February 14th, 2009 at 11:07 am

[…] all my talk about donating blood for Valentine’s Day there I was, walking out. Rejected! I was pretty disappointed. Apparently my iron is too low. […]

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February 10th, 2010 at 8:58 am

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