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Caspers Mum
Moderator
 
Joined: 02 Nov 2002
Posts: 1694
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Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:03 am  |
As of yesterday, I became an official, registered blood donor. I'd often considered donating blood, but have never made the effort. My Dad was a blood donor, and as this weekend marked the ninth month of his death, I will honor him by giving life to others. My Mum received four units of blood during emergency surgery in 1991. Had people not donated blood, my Mum would have died from massive blood loss. After seeing a tv ad. for Canadian Blood Services this week, I figured I ought to stop procrastinating, make an appointment!
At the clinic, I learned that British Columbians are the least generous donors in Canada. Not good. I suppose this is relative to others' procrastination, just like my own.
The donation process is not painful. If you've ever had a blood test: the catheter insertion feels like the same, same "prick" in your arm. If you're a needlephobic, hey, just don't look! Simple as that.
Surprisingly, the Vancouver clinic was very busy, and despite the many donors, all of the nurses were very attentive & had their you-know-what together. And, yes, donors do get juice, cookies, and water after the donation process.
Hoping that my post here will encourage my fellow Canadian Forum members to contact Canadian Blood Services, and make an appointment to roll up one's sleeve to donate too!
Canada: http://www.bloodservices.ca/
Elsewhere: http://www.ifrc.org/WHAT/health/blood/links.asp |
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Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:44 am |
WELL DONE TO YOU !!!
I always wanted to be a blood donor but have 'strange things' in my blood that affect clotting, so no one wants it. |
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Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:39 am |
| No one wants my blood either. But my mum is greatly in demand with her Rhesus Neg. |
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Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:02 am |
Good girl, Caspers Mum !!!
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Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:14 am |
| I've been giving for 30 years now-I even have a red cross card with my blood type...this actually came in handy & saved me once. In a way, my good deed was rewarded. |
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Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:49 pm |
Way to go Caspers Mum. I have never donated blood but it is something that I have considered doing and I should just get off my butt and do it. I guess you really don't think about things like that until someone in your family needs blood, then it becomes a reality.
On the topic of saving lives, another thing that everyone should consider doing is becoming a member of the Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Less than 30% of people that need a bone marrow transplant will find a compatible family member. The registry finds compatible unrelated donors for patients around the world. Just last month a good friend of mine received bone marrow from an unrelated donor and so far is doing well. I became a member of the registry a few years ago and I hope someday to have the opportunity to save someone's life.
The web site for the Canadian Blood Services bone marrow registry is http://www.bloodservices.ca/centreapps/internet/uw_v502_mainengine.nsf/page/CBS%20Bone%20Marrow%20Registry |
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Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:15 am |
| No one wants my blood but they get my husbands on a regular basis. I'm needle phobic and the idea of a blood test is enough for a panic attack. |
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Tue Mar 27, 2007 12:27 pm |
| Good girl! |
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Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:21 pm |
Thanks for the reminder, Caspers Mum.
After my mother was diagnosed with acute leukemia last summer, she received countless units of blood and platelets that kept her alive while her doctors conferred on further treatment. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for her and she died two weeks later.
I was humbled to realize that many kind people, with no expectation of reward or thanks, donated the blood that she received. Their generous gift allowed my siblings and I to spend two precious weeks with my mother that we would not otherwise have had.
It's a huge debt to repay and I can't expect anyone else to do it for me. I know what I need to do; thanks for giving me a nudge. |
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Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:32 pm |
| Hats off to you Caspers Mum. |
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