Donate blood

[kidvid]

Purely an ego thing here, but I got my notice from the blood bank that I am eligible to donate again. I'm pumped up about it (heh, heh,) since this will be the one gallon mark for me! I plan to get in next week and donate.

If you want to prove to yourself and the world that T1's can kick ***, go donate blood. Watch the expression on the med staff's face, feel the glow (not the low) and walk past the cookies and OJ!

Regards,

Joe

[Jan B]

I just learned a couple years ago that Type 1s can give blood. I think it's great! However, I was told (assuming still correct) that if you ever took pork insulin (Lente & before Humalog was available), you still cannot donate blood.

Does anyone know if this is still true?

[Funnygrl]

I just learned a couple years ago that Type 1s can give blood. I think it's great! However, I was told (assuming still correct) that if you ever took pork insulin (Lente & before Humalog was available), you still cannot donate blood.

Does anyone know if this is still true?
It's if you ever took beef (bovine).

[princesslinda]

Do you know if T2s can give blood as well? Does it require a note from your doctor? I used to give, but haven't since being diagnosed....not sure why I thought I couldn't.

[Jan B]

Thank you for the correction FunnyGirl -- I better read more about what the older insulins were made of. I thought they were beef and pork. Anyway don't you love the internet.

I don't know for sure, but can't a Type 2 also donate blood if they are in good control? I'll start looking.

[shabbie6247]

i'm a uk resident.

i phoned the national blood donor people to enquire if i can donate and the guy said that because i 'inject' i cant give blood!!!
insulin is the only medication i take and i cant give blood!

[rocky]

I was turned away when I tried to give blood.

[lgvincent]

I've tried MANY times and have always been refused. I've seen that bus sit with no one going near it and I go and am refused. I've grown tired of the rejection and see no reason to try any more.

[dbc]

i'm a uk resident.

i phoned the national blood donor people to enquire if i can donate and the guy said that because i 'inject' i cant give blood!!!


I enquired a few days ago - in SA insulin dependant diabetics are turned away, T2 on pills only are accepted if their doctor approves.

It's a blanket ban - no talk of "if you're in good control" etc.

[shabbie6247]

I enquired a few days ago - in SA insulin dependant diabetics are turned away, T2 on pills only are accepted if their doctor approves.

It's a blanket ban - no talk of "if you're in good control" etc.

it sucks.....!!!

[Funnygrl]

I donate on a regular basis and don't have a problem.

[mortis505]

I'm looking at maybe donating soon. Haven't done so in years.(O-neg) But is there a real difference in T1 vs T1.5 donating? Technically there shouldn't be.
But does anyone know for sure?

[Carwy]

All I can say is give it saves lives. I know. While going through a stem cell transplant I had 8 units of Platelets, and 16 units of packed red blood cells.
Also I have to say thank you to all who do give.

[HelenM]

If you've spent more than 6 months in the UK between 1980 and 1996 most countries won't take your blood because of BSE.

[BlueSky]

Here, they won't take blood from a T1 because of concerns about how it may affect the donor. When I asked for details, they weren't able to give me any. It seems that this hasn't been properly thought through.

[Kat]

huh! I didn't know we could give blood...=o well that's good to know. So if they accept you, your numbers have to be really good in order to do it?

[fgummett]

In Canada they are ultra-careful after the hepatitis scandal a few years back; that caused them to have to make a brand new blood agency. As a result I am not allowed on two accounts: Insulin and having lived in the UK (Mad Cow)... I find it sad as it was something I felt a social duty to give. I'm glad to report that my 17 year old son recently donated his first unit :)

[Chappo]

I've been denied in Australia. Much like BlueSky, I was told a no, and i asked to see the Policies and Procedures surrounding this decision and was told it was nothing official.

[poodlebone]

I was amazed when I found out that I could donate blood. I started signing up again several years ago and donated a few times. Then, I kept getting rejected because of my iron levels, not because I'm diabetic. Every time I've gone the past 1 1/2 years I'm rejected. I've been taking an iron tablet each day along with vitamin C. I don't eat a lot of red meat but I do sometimes. Mostly chicken/turkey when it comes to meat. I like leafy greens and a lot of the other foods on the list they give me each time. Still no good.

I went again maybe 2 months ago and wasn't able to donate so I don't think I'll even bother trying anymore. I always feel guilty when I'm rejected, like there's something wrong with me. There was one guy at the blood center who made me feel like I was a dirty criminal for not having enough iron in my blood.

The first time I went to that center, the woman who did the initial tests (including the hemoglobin finger stick) was wearing a pump. She saw mine and pulled hers out from under her jacket.

[Alice]

I still recommend the cookies for diabetics...just take the amount you feel comfortable with...giving blood is a different matter than normal "carb restriction"...

[shabbie]

mooo! :D

[Funnygrl]

All I can say is give it saves lives. I know. While going through a stem cell transplant I had 8 units of Platelets, and 16 units of packed red blood cells.
Also I have to say thank you to all who do give.
Yeah, we give out blood like candy. The chemo really lowers all your counts. My hospital collects all their blood independently without the Red Cross so they can charge less. I think that's nice.

Liz- I've been refused based on my hematacrit a few times too. It's annoying!

[Ailsa]

Do they ask you if you are T1?
If you didn't mention it they wouldn't know would they?

[Funnygrl]

I volunteer that I was diabetic, but they said it doesn't matter. They didn't even ask what type. They pretty much just take vital signs, do the fingerstick, and ask how much you weigh and if you're on any of the drugs on a list. They you do a survey on a computer asking about tattoos, sexual relations, and international travel.

[IrishJoe]

I have lots of Iron. The UK are happy to take my blood. The Irish weren't so I wont bother. They crib and moan 'oh we have no blood' then I turned up and due to having a sore knee (muscular pain) they wouldnt take it. Some shortage.

The UK are perfectly happy vampires though.

However now that I have D I havent tried as I'm still not totally balanced yet and still need to get my first hb1ac in about 6 weeks

[Cormac_Doyle]

Irish health system has been bitten a number of times by importing blood that had not been properly screened ... for example, in the late 80's / early 90's, they imported plasma from the US that infected several hundred patients with hepatitis :(

As such, they get very antzy and won't accept blood for a variety of reasons ... including visiting the UK during the 90's - if you were stupid enough to have a hamburger (or any other meat product) - just incase you could have mad cow disease :)