. Im also RH Neg so my blood is like guinness......... 
Given our chosen hobby I'm sure a good few of us have needed some, it's a great thing to do and is very worrying that supplies are dangerously low.
In the news today
IBTS: Where to give blood
form in had no history of being in the country
I'd like to contribute a lot more than I do mrs D but the last incident put me right off, after waitin for weeks and an appointment to do my bit, I joined the q and sat patiently , then was told when I got to the front of the q that I couldn't because I had been in Africa within six months of me sitting in the chair, but meanwhile Jenny foreigner pole sat next to me could give blood even although he couldn't even fill the kn
So that was it, never been back , I wrote and complained about it , but as usual fell of deaf ears
Did my bit Tuesday
1st time but many more to come.....how often can you donate?
I'd like to contribute a lot more than I do mrs D but the last incident put me right off, after waitin for weeks and an appointment to do my bit, I joined the q and sat patiently , then was told when I got to the front of the q that I couldn't because I had been in Africa within six months of me sitting in the chair, but meanwhile Jenny foreigner pole sat next to me could give blood even although he couldn't even fill the kn
So that was it, never been back , I wrote and complained about it , but as usual fell of deaf ears
What's fair got to do with it - statistically if you visit Africa (or other prescribed areas) you may be carrying blood bourne disease & a period of quarantine prior to further donation is a sensible precaution, Eastern Europe is not prescribed in this context.
I donated for years but had non infective Hepitatis - they wont take any more blood from me as I have had "jaundice" but the fact that it was Hep A & non infective in the context of blood doesent sway them. Rules are there for reasons but fairness is not one of them.
If you were a recipient would it be fair that your statistical chances of contacting a blood borne disease were increased because of some arbitrary need to be otherwise fair - be fair in weighing this up.
Men must leave a minimum of 12 weeks, and women a minimum of 16 weeks, between donations.....
that was over ten years ago. My iron levels are completely under control so now I donate every 12 weeks.
When I was diagnosed with hemochromatosis I gave a pint a week for 18 weeks. never felt better
