Blood Drive

[Sass]

just dont look at it!!

[1jzDRFT]

I'd be interested, depends on when you have the meet up etc.. etc.. weekdays and a def no go for me, weekends though im all arms

[blind_elk]

Well, the plan would be to book the South Melbourne centre on a Sunday morning.

I have arranged for a representative of RCBS to come along to our next monthly meeting (August 15). She will be explaining the pros of blood donation (there are no cons!). I urge all SAUers to support this worthwhile community activity.

1 Hour every 3 months - is that so much to ask?

[wokka wokka]

I would love to give blood, but I'm an ex-pom

(I'll have them know I'm as sane as the next coffee table)

I donated every 3 months in the UK, when I was a student I did it just for the free biscuits.

It doesn't hurt, hitting your funny bone hurts more. I would describe it as a mild stinging sensation at worst, and thats from the the local numbing injection, you don't feel the big needle.

The great thing is my partner can't donate either, being an ex-pom as well, but she's been vegetarian for the past 19 years, is the UK supposed to have mad spud disease as well or something?

[blind_elk]

... and thats from the the local numbing injection, you don't feel the big needle.

They don't use a local in Oz, just ram the needle in, hoping to get it popping out through your shoulder

[Sass]

it just sucks when they miss the vien and try the other arm, miss it again and say come back in a week when those wounds have healed!

[1jzDRFT]

it just sucks when they miss the vien and try the other arm, miss it again and say come back in a week when those wounds have healed!

hahahaha, you must have good vein hiding skillz

[Sass]

i reckon, was a little while ago now and havent had any trouble since - lost weight in my arms i guess!!!

[sileighty]

Guys what your planning is great!, I have been a regular donor for a few years now. Over in the west they have pretty big difficulties getting people in to donate. I have only had sort of bad occurance where it was difficult to locate the vein and once then found it the blood still would go halfway up the tube and stop.

I have a pretty rare type of AB blood so ever 2 weeks i am in donating plasma which is basically the white blood cells. They process approx 1.5 littes of your blood in 3 or 4 cycles. 500ml in 3 lots is taken in and spun in a centrfuge and the red cells stay an white seperated. It takes just over an hour which is nothing really. your red cells are then returned to you. so in reality you dont loose any oxygen giving blood capacity.

Oh and they give us free pizza here on a monday and wednesday nights.

Good luck guys.. and tell me when your doing this please.. I will donate by proxy in the Perth Blood bank if you want.

[Scotsman]

Just saw this thread now.

What's the dates for the UK thing?

Since I was born there in '81, I think it rules me out. But if not i'll come.

[blind_elk]

Just saw this thread now.

What's the dates for the UK thing?

Since I was born there in '81, I think it rules me out. But if not i'll come.

From http://www.donateblood.com.au/Donor/guide/eligible.asp

Unfortunately, there are some circumstances that will prevent people from giving blood. You will be permanently deferred if you:

• lived in the UK between 1980-1996 for a cumulative period of 6 months or more

• are HIV positive

• injected drugs not prescribed by a doctor or dentist

• have hepatitis B or C

• had open heart surgery

[Scotsman]

From http://www.donateblood.com.au/Donor/guide/eligible.asp

I'm a little disappointed I can't give blood for the UK reason. Especially since I have lived here since 1984.

Can you get a blood test or something first to clear your name?

[Mavric]

i'll do it...

just let me know where and when

[blind_elk]

I'm a little disappointed I can't give blood for the UK reason. Especially since I have lived here since 1984.

Can you get a blood test or something first to clear your name?

Ask Debbie (Blood Bank person) on Tuesday.