People Helped my Dad, so Now I want to help others (National Blood Services (NBS))

Member Name: Groovee

Product:	National Blood Services (NBS)
Date:	13/07/04 (195 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Helps save lives, Takes less than an hour of your time

Disadvantages: Not everyone can donate/.

On the 28th January 2002, my dad had a liver transplant. He had lots of units of donated blood. 2 days after his op, while visiting the hospital to visit my dad, I went past the Blood Donation Centre and thought, "ok then, lets do it!" I hauled my poor confused hubby who reckoned we should have been going into the transplant unit instead.

Inside it was warm and friendly. We were asked to take a number and wait in the nice seating area until our number was called. The lady behind the desk was very smiley and has been on the desk everytime I have gone in.

As it was my first time, I had to have an interview which just checks to see if you are able to donate. There are various reasons such as having had an operation in recent months, Have you recently given birth, have you visited a country where you may have caught malaria?

The interview lasted about 10 minutes and they explained what would happen next. You also get an interview if you haven't given blood for a while like me due to pregnancy.

You then sit at another part outside a wee room. You go in and you get a little prick in your finger. Some blood is then taken from your finger and placed in a clear tube. It then gets dropped in some water or clear fluid. Now I forgot to ask today why they check this but 2 people have told me different things. One said it is to check your blood and how well it clots and the other said it was to check your Iron levels. I will remember to ask next time and update the op accordingly.

Once past this area you go through to the donation room. The one I visit in Edinburgh has about 12/14 special chairs which look like big sort of beds which you would find in A&E but more like a chair. Once you are sat on the chair, it tips it back a little. You have an arm rest on the arm of your choice and
you lay your arm on it and a blood pressure cuff was then placed aroundmy arm to make the veins easier to see. After a minute or 2 onc
e my vein was up I got my needle put in and my bag filled up in about 5 minutes. I was encouraged to make a fist every 5 to 10 seconds. Some people take a local anethetic which numbs the arm so that they don't feel the needle going in. I don't bother, I just allow then to put it in.

After you unit of blood has been taken the needle is taken out. I was then left to hold my cotton wool pad over my holey bit and then encouraged to rest for 5 minutes. After I was deemed ready to get off the chair they tipped me back to sitting position and I went through to the drinks area. If it is your first donation or your first one for a while they advise you just to have a cold drink. Water and Juice and tea or coffee are all available. On the tables there is a HUGE selection of Biscuits too. They do like you to stay about 10 minutes just to ensure that you are ok before they let you go.

I have found the blood donor centre to be friendly and I love the banter which goes on between all the staff. It's great to feel relaxed while there and you are under no pressure if you feel you can't go through with it.

A few points about Blood Donation

* Always have a good meal before you go. This lessens the risk of you feeling faint afterwards.

* Never feel you have to go through it. If you are worried, take a friend and explain to the staff about your feelings. They will happily help you through it.

* You can give blood up to 3 times a year. The recommendation is about every 16 weeks.

* You can give blood right up to the age of 70.

* Reasons why you can't give blood:

1 You've already given blood in the last 12
weeks (normally, you must wait 16 weeks).
2 You have a chesty cough, sore throat or active cold sore (although the end of a cold is OK).
3 You're currently taking antibiotics or you have just finished a course within the last seven days.
4 You've had hep
atitis or jaundice in the last 12 months, likewise any ear or body piercing or tattoos, or you have received a blood transfusion yourself.
5 You've had acupuncture in the last 12 months outside the NHS (unless you can produce the approved certificate from your acupuncturist or physiotherapist).
6 A member of your family (parent, brother, sister or child) has suffered with CJD (Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease).
7 You've ever received human pituitary extract (which was used in some growth hormone or fertility treatments before 1985).

You may not be able to give blood if:

1 You've had a serious illness or major surgery in the past or are currently on medication. Please discuss this with the clinical staff. The reason you're taking medicines may prevent you from donating.
2 You've had complicated dental work (although simple fillings are OK on the same day, as are simple extractions after 24 hours).
3 You've been in contact with an infectious disease or have been given certain immunisations in the last four weeks.
4 You're presently on a hospital waiting list or undergoing medical tests.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or you are a woman who has had a baby in the last 9 months.

Travel abroad

Please wait 12 months after returning from a malarial area before giving blood, unless Malaria Antibody Testing has been introduced in your area. Please also tell us if you have visited Central/South America at any time. (Those who've had the disease,
or an undiagnosed illness associated with travel, will not however be able to give blood.)

* You Can NEVER Give Blood

1 You carry the hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus or the HIV virus.
2 You're a man who's had sex with another man, even "safe sex" using a condom.
3 You've ever worked as a prostitute.
4 You've ever injected yourself with drugs - even once.


You should not give blood for 12 months after sex with:

1 A man who has had sex with another man (if you're a female).
2 A prostitute.
3 Anyone who has ever injected themselves with drugs.
4 Anyone with haemophilia or a related blood clotting disorder who has received clotting factor concentrates.
5 Anyone of any race who has been sexually active in Africa (apart from Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia or Egypt) in the past year. The main route of HIV infection in Africa is through heterosexual sex.

In April a new Rule was passed that people who had transfusions after 1980 are unable to give blood.


Overall, people donated blood. These people helped to save my dad's life. My friend had fetal transfusions in the womb to help save her baby's life. Another friend suffered Placenta Previa. People donated blood and saved their lives. I too am donating blood to help save the lives of those who need it. It only takes an hour out of your time and if you are able to, Please do this. One day it could be a family member who you love very much who needs this blood! I feel great for having donated my blood!

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