Are you a blood donor?
By Teddy
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
United Kingdom
January 31, 2019 5:00pm CST
I stopped giving blood some years ago but I am seriously considering resuming donating blood. In the UK at least, anyone aged between 17 and 70 who weighs at least 7 stone 12lbs and is in good health can give blood.
Blood and blood products have a limited shelf life and supplies need to be continuously topped up so as to ensure adequate amounts for routine surgery and to cater for emergencies.
As someone who has been under the surgeon's knife on more than one occasion I have cause to be thankful to all those unpaid and selfless donors who donated blood to me in my time of need and I think it's about time I started paying something back again.
11 people like this
11 responses
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
31 Jan 19
I would like to be a blood donar, but it is not possible. I take antidepressants, so they can't use my blood. They accept blood donars who have taken antidepressants in the past, but we have to wait 3 months after the last dosis.
4 people like this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
31 Jan 19
This is one of many reasons why people are not allowed to donate blood
2 people like this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
31 Jan 19
No, you'll only feel a little prick!
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86652)
• United States
1 Feb 19
I used to be a donor. I can't donate any longer because of my medical issues. They want to protect the American blood supply and make sure no one ends up like me. 
1 person likes this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
31 Jan 19
@pjmurphy -We all should but don't feel bad if you don't. Relatively few people are regular donors. The UK has a population of about 70 million people but there are only 1.3 million registered blood donors nationwide.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
31 Jan 19
I tried to donate blood, but they won't accept it because I have some health issues.
3 people like this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
1 Feb 19
@kobesbuddy That happens to many people which is one of the reasons blood donations sometimes run short
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
1 Feb 19
@ThreeTeddies I'm diabetic, which isn't a good report.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
31 Jan 19
@ThreeTeddies Yes, after working in the healthcare field, I have seen what happens with shortages.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
1 Feb 19
I cannot give Blood even if I wanted too as I have had too many issues Health wise to where I cannot. I do think this is something of importance for those who can.
@jstory07 (148731)
• Roseburg, Oregon
1 Feb 19
I do not like needles so I do not like giving my blood at all.
@JudyEv (382019)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Feb 19
Vince gave blood regularly for quite some time and I did for a shorter period. Now we're too old. It is an easy and free way to donate back to society I think.
