I gave blood today

[watervole]

I gave blood for the first time ever, today. Pretty painless. I don't even feel as tired as I expected to do, although I'm taking it easy to be on the safe side.

The lady next to me has done it 52 times. I may have some time before I get anywhere near that kind of total.

Comments

[linda_joyce]

Well done, I made it to 30 before they wouldn't take me anymore(to many prescription tablets) but I didn't go as regularly as I could have. Have you registered as a bone marrow donor? You will only be called for that if you come up as the closest match and they tend to go for younger people if they have a choice but please register you could be the only person available for some one in need.

well done!

[the_magician]

Quite a while, as you can only give blood three times a year (and only until you're 70)

I liked the National Blood Service website, particularly the FAQ which said
Q How much blood will I lose?
A Only about 470 ml, which is just under a pint, and not, as some have thought, quite an armful. Bodies are amazing things, and yours will replace that lost fluid in a very short period of time.

Re: well done!

[alex_holden]

It's possible to donate platelets far more often than whole blood, and each platelet donation counts the same as a blood donation - hence some people having very high donation counts. I was surprised to find that they even count failed donations (my count still got incremented the time when they turned me away for having a low haemoglobin level).

I think my count is 11 or 12 now.

[lexin]

Great!

I'm up to 18 donations, but have had to take substantial time out for one thing and another. I really believe it's giving something back to the NHS and to other people.

[darth_tigger]

I've given 33 times, and that's with having a few gaps (mostly due to apathy and being too crap to get there regularly).

[darth_tigger]

And well done on going to give. Hope you keep feeling fine and manage to make it regularly!