Friday 15 April 2011

Give Blood

Welcome to the blogger blood drive.


The excellent Emma and Fiona gathered some like minded bloggers together and asked us to spread the word. 


I love giving blood, not in a vampire esk masochistic way but in a I'm doing my bit sort of way.


Just to reiterate

If you are ever feeling down, glum or think the world is a horrible place then go and give blood. In a blood donation centre people are there of their own free will. They make the conscious choice to go and help their fellow man with no hint of a reward other than a free cup of tea and a biscuit (a huge reward if ever there was one). They sit and queue with the utmost patience.

It warms the cockles. 

I've donated blood less than 10 times. I was a late starter and I'm not really sure why but I've since seen the error of my ways. O got a badge for donating 10 times and I'm close to getting my own badge. My Dad used to donate platelets (he takes too much medication now) when we were young he used to take us to the donation centre with him, it was just across the road from his office. #1 and #2 both donate. Apart from when #2 travels to exotic places that involves immunisations. My Mum is the only member of the family who doesn't give blood. She is however the only member of the family who has received a blood transfusion. After my Mum gave birth to #2 she suffered a severe haemorrhage and had to be given several pints to pull through. She would not be here and hence I would not be here if it were not for the blood donations of other people.


So why do I give blood? A small part is of course is to give thanks for even being here. The main reason is of course that it makes me feel good to be a lifesaver! And every three months I get to eat Tunnock's teacakes without feeling any guilt.

I was shocked to learn that only 4% of the population donates. People who can not donate fall into two main categories; because donating might effect their health or if there is even the slimmest possibility that their blood might transmit disease to the very ill person that will receive their blood. But apart from the people that cannot donate there are still plenty who just don't. Why not?
It is painful? Well it isn't really, I find the most painful bit the prick of my thumb to test my iron levels. There is no denying it is a little uncomfortable but it isn't for very long. Giving blood is not like having a blood sample taken at the doctors - believe me I've had my arms scraped, stabbed and bruised plenty of times by a practice nurse. The men and women who work for the blood donation centre take blood hundreds and hundreds of times they are the experts. 
You're squeamish? Let me make a suggestion - don't look. If you ask nicely the staff at the blood donation centre will put up a screen round your arm so you can't see. You won't know that you are too squeamish unless you try. If you faint too many times you'll be politely asked not to try to donate again.


Give giving blood a go.
For more information and to find your nearest donating centre:
In England visit Give Blood
In Scotland visit Scotblood

Go and visit the other lovely people taking in part in this campaign. Read their stories about why they donate or support those who donate:

Source Images Photography                                                         

3 comments:

  1. Brilliant post, thank you so much for taking part in the campaign! x

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  2. I gave blood on Tuesday!

    EVERYBODY GO GIVE BLOOD!

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  3. thanks loads for your excellent post, its so great you are supporting the campaign. So appreciated x

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