Do you Donate Blood on a regular basis?

[maz]

I am super scared of needles BUT have tried to donate blood. I am unable to do it as I have terrible veins and it after 1/2 an hour of trying to get the needle in the nurse just said that my veins would collapse even if we did get it right.

makes me sad to think I cant help in that way but I donate other things instead

[Mum0809]

Yes I do normally but not at the moment because I'm breastfeeding. I will again after DS stops feeding.

[Rach75]

I did from when I was 16-18 1/2 then I had a weird bleeding problem (vomiting blood and clotting issues) so was told to give it a year after that but each time I went back I failed the intial ***** test for iron or whatever I have been told I can't donate due to the fact my iron sits way below baseline normal all the time no matter how much iron tablets supplements I take

It disappoints me that I can't donate

[boomba]

I used to before falling pregnant and BF! I will be sad when DS weans but will be happy i can give blood again!
I would hate to think one day someone in my family needed blood and there was none!

[Lolli]

Hi MoM
I was actually thinking today, I can't wait till I can give blood again, soon as I'm done breastfeeding. I started when I was 16 and did it religiously every three months until I got pregnant (actually, I had to take a hiatus after i got my tattoo too).
My grandfather was so proud of the fact that a year before he passed away, he got his certificate from the Red Cross for donating 100 pints. He died when I was two and I don't really remember him... but I know he'd be proud of me donating blood when I can.

[luna moth]

I used to, but I've just been told to stop before TTC I have 40-something donations under my belt, so I feel good that I've been able to help so many.
Last time I went to do it, I was waiting at the bus stop, and this old dude tottered up to me and said "Are you going to the city? Can I offer you a lift in my taxi?" So his taxi pulls up, and he asks where I'm going. I told him it was to give blood, and he said "Well, how funny that we should meet. I'm on my way to receive a blood transfusion."
That made every needle worth it. Even the mega two-headed ones they use for plasma, over 40 donations worth of scar tissue.

[Lolli]

Last time I went to do it, I was waiting at the bus stop, and this old dude tottered up to me and said "Are you going to the city? Can I offer you a lift in my taxi?" So his taxi pulls up, and he asks where I'm going. I told him it was to give blood, and he said "Well, how funny that we should meet. I'm on my way to receive a blood transfusion."

Wow. That's amazing...

[blue_hebe]

I want to, I know it's important...I did once and felt and bit faint, but it wasn't too bad. The second time I went in, the room starting spinning and I felt like fainting again as they did the finger ***** test and they wouldn't allow me to donate blood (nor did they want me back!). I have to admit to feeling a little silly because I'm absolutely fine with the idea of giving blood, but for some reason even reading through the brochures detailing the procedure (that they ask you to read each time) makes me feel sick and faint. It's quite bizzare

I intent to try again in the future.

[Nai]

I do when not pregnant or breastfeeding. I got in 1 donation between DD and this one. DP donates on a regular basis. Both of us have been asked if we would be plasma donors so we are looking into that as well.