would love to, however being a pome my blood is not good enough!

I used to donate whole blood and plasma regularly, but when I tried to donate a few times recently, I found that they wouldn't take it unless I had an appointment.

Sadly, I am flat out getting the same train each day, so making an appointment just means that I end up calling them to cancel, so I haven't donated in ages.

Strangely enough, they seem intent on calling me back and leaving messages for me, but just turning up seems to be frowned upon. I wonder if this has changed the number of people that donate? If they are less organised like me, it probably has.

They say that you need an appointment but I can rarely make one because I don't know from one day to the next if I will be available. I mean there might be some urgent topic on Seabreeze that needs attending to.
Sooo, I usually just rock up and see if they can fit me in. Mostly they can provided I'm not in a rush so that suits me fine. ANd if they can't then that's fine too because I get to keep all my blood and don't get stabbed with a HUGE needle. owww

The only thing that bothers me now is that since I'm so old and decrepit, (not the REAL decrepit, I mean me being decrepit, ) maybe when they give someone my blood the recipient will contract old persons disease. You know, become grumpy, forget things, drive the wrong way up one way streets, fart in the house, etc etc. I'm sure some of those thing must be contagious.
I'm assured that's not the case and that all ages blood is equally as good, but if ever I get sick, I don't want some old farts worn out blood, I want the blood from some hot young nubile girl or guy that will give me a jump start.

Sometimes when I'm sitting there while they are sucking my corpse almost dry I look across and see some hot young chick across the other side and think "cor I wouldn't mind a pint of hers"

(oops, sorry.. I don't know what came over me. )

Anyway, Type O positive. Let me know if you need some and I will come and bleed all over you.

I got bitten by a motorbike frog once. How long do you get for that?

No thanks Pweedas, I'm O Negative.

We have to rely on the mobile service where I live. They send me messages asking me to come in and when I call they don't have any appointments available for around 3 months. And no, turning up unannounced means you get turned away. Means they don't get my blood and beign O negative means they beg me but can't accommodate me.

FormulaNova said...

I used to donate whole blood and plasma regularly, but when I tried to donate a few times recently, I found that they wouldn't take it unless I had an appointment.

Sadly, I am flat out getting the same train each day, so making an appointment just means that I end up calling them to cancel, so I haven't donated in ages.

Strangely enough, they seem intent on calling me back and leaving messages for me, but just turning up seems to be frowned upon. I wonder if this has changed the number of people that donate? If they are less organised like me, it probably has.

Some time ago I requested no phone calls from ARCBS. This works.

I consider myself very unorganised (unfortunately), but still donate whole blood + plasma.
I have found myself making an appointment on Monday for Friday, then taking random ibuprofen (Nurofen) on Wednesday to get over muscle soreness, or having taken on a large scrape when yachting or rock-climbing - so I have had to cancel frequently. This means I now ring at 0900 to make a donation that afternoon.

What does disappoint is the incessant questioning when ringing up - used to be 'Righto see you at 10am Thursday this week at our Parramatta rooms'. Now it's 'Are you fit and well?, Have you been to see a doctor since your last donation?, Were there any complications after your last donation?, Are you on any regular medications, including over the counter medications?'
They say they are legally obliged to ask these questions - yet don't they think I would know how the system works if I have donated over 60 whole blood units?

And the ARCBS in very recent years has moved away from hospitals into industrial areas - Nepean Hospital towards Jamisontown/South Penrith, Parramatta to Rose Hill. Admittedly parking is easier at both of these places, but it seemed 'more right', to have a blood donation facility at a medical facility.

Aged in my 40's, I have walked in to donate whole blood at 3pm, then at 6pm commenced running a 28km Fire Trail. Last month, I donated plasma, then was kayaking 3 hours later in company. They don't recommend this stuff.

ockanui said...

.................. but all I got was total exhaustion after donating, didn't have any energy for 24+ hrs or more totally zapped,

It sounds like you might have been a bit dehydrated when you went in.
It's very important to keep your fluid levels up after giving blood. They always stress that point when I go in and they are right.
Although it takes a month or two to get the red blood cells back to normal it only takes an hour or two to get the blood volume back to normal .
If the total volume is lower then you will have a higher heart rate and will generally feel knackered. That's why they advise that you stay a while for a drink and eats before you leave.
Also, I have noticed the effect is worse as I get older so I now only go twice a year. I just slowly cut it back to keep things at a level that I'm happy with.
Just because they say you can donate every 3 months, it's entirely up to you how often you go.
I suppose if I last long enough I will eventually reach the point where I go in to make a withdrawal rather than a donation.

DaylightDebt said...

would love to, however being a pome my blood is not good enough!

Same, Aussie but lived in the UK during the BSE (mad cow) years.

No can give blood........

transfusion.com.au/

I work in a related blood area (not for directly for the red cross blood service) and all the criteria are on the web site - if your not sure ring the donor centre.

There are some good "info" sheets which explain most of the products restrictions and viral / bacterial risks etc.


Happy reading