Why aren't you donating blood?

Sardonicat wrote: »

I genuinely don't see how the extra precautions for men who sleep with men are necessary. Just have all the questions needed on one form.

Unless you have a PhD in blood safety, it really doesn't matter whether you see the need or not. This is like all the amateur epidemiologists who apparently know better than NPHET. We've had serious issues with blood contamination in the past. We've had large payouts, public inquiries, political scandals and more.

I don't claim to be expert in blood safety, but unless you're an expert, you might want to defer to those who are experts in this.

PhilOssophy wrote: »

In the mobile clinics it is generally more than an hour unless you get very lucky.

We consent to all sorts of things online, even covid vaccine consent.

Sure I am just as likely to tick the wrong box when I'm filling it in in the clinic as I am online.

I'm just saying it should be an option to speed up the process where possible. Young people aren't going to be bothered if it takes too long. I'm also explaining why people might not be bothered donating. Anything which can be done to speed up the process, should be done. That is all.

It's a classic technology 'solution looking for a problem' approach. Why would you assume that cutting five minutes off the donation time would make a difference? It wouldn't make a toss of a difference to me, and I suspect to many others also. If you've committed time to donate, chill out, read the paper or go on your phone or chat to the person beside you or whatever you like.

talla10 wrote: »

...Unfortunately I had a 'false positive' for hepatitis even though i've had the vaccine. Another test confirmed I never had any infectious disease and in Ireland if you ever have a false positive you are no suitable for donation....

Does having had hepatitis make one unsuitable to donate ?

I have have trypanophobia and mild epilepsy. Not a great combination for giving blood.

nj27 wrote: »

Honest answer would be: it seems somewhat gross, there are other ways I'd rather spend my time, seems like it could be a bit of a libby thing to do (not sure if that's right but it does seem like a blood donor clinic would be a libby environment), and I couldn't be bothered! :pac:

I'd be more the type to risk myself to save you in person if the situation arose than to show up to a clinic, definitely more of a helpful and caring type than you'd think from the first bit there!

It's a medical environment. Just donate, if you're physically able to. Make the call today.

I don't give blood, 'cos I won't give blood

I just wanted to thank the donors on this thread, and elsewhere.

My sister has terminal cancer. She has had a number of transfusions over the past few days. They have given her the strength to say her goodbyes to us, get her affairs in order and come to terms with her diagnosis. That is a gift that is one of the very few good things in an awful situation. I am incredibly grateful.

I was due to give blood last week, when we found out about her cancer. I'll be rescheduling in the near future.

Your blood donation might save a life. Or it might not, but help someone who is dying to have a 'good' death. And that's so important too.

Why would anyone drive into the city centre? Take the bus or DART or Luas and you'll have all the time you like for lunch.

that's actually a good point, i'd never do either unless motivated to do so.

Had given about 30 donations, then one day got a letter saying my sample had tested positive for an infectious disease...!

Rang the number provided in somewhat of a panic, to be told it was a "false positive" for some kind of Hepatitis found in West Africa, and that follow up sampling had proven the initial result to be false.

However the rules at the time stated that even a proven false positive barred you from donating for the rest of your life.

That was 7 years ago.

With all the talk on radio about shortages, I decided to give them a ring, and explained my situation.

The upshot was that the rules have changed in the intervening years, and I was invited to a clinic to give a sample.

This was negative, and as a result I am now back on the live register!

you'd get paid to have a tommy and donate sperm to a sperm bank, so life saving blood and organs should deffo be worth money and there would never be a shortage again.

Totally fair point and i commend anyone who does, but like you say it's only some folks. If it was paid there would be alot more.

I used to donate, I got my blood drop necklace so I think that's 10 donations or so.

I'm O + but haven't been able to donate for the last few years because I'm an outpatient in two hospital clinics .Hopefully I'll be discharged in June and I'll be able to get back to it.

What's an hour or so of my time and a tiny bit of discomfort when you can be saving or prolonging someone's life. Sure I'd spend longer mindlessly watching tik toks daily.

Because I dont live anywhere near a DART or Luas and the only bus route by Bus Eireann only has a bus stop 15km away in the completely wrong direction and they refuse to pick up on the side of the road. Public transport isnt easy for everyone unless you live inside the m50.

If anyone knows what the story is with parking for the D'Olier St clinic please post up how long you are covered for.

"As it stands" meaning now that you don't need any donor parts to stay alive you'd rather not have any?

Park and ride is your solution. There is no route to Dublin that isn't in reach of one or other transit hub.

yeah no thanks, Im not parking up in the suburb on my route that has tons of break ins and joyriding.

Anyway this has nothing to do with my question. Im either driving to donate blood or Im not donating blood.