Donating Blood / Organs

[Ekelektra]

I decided a while ago that I would be an organ donor although I'm not on the list yet.

As for giving blood I've always wanted to do it but I don't know if I could, I get all squirmy when it comes to needles and I'd probably worry about it hurting.But my friend did it and said it didn't hurt at all, so next time she goes I might go along too.

[Hushie]

I'm not on the organ donor register but I'll probably sign up when I learn to drive and I can't give blood due to being gay but would do so if given the chance.

I'd also just like to point out that it's only 1 in 20 gay and bisexual men who have HIV and not 1 in 5 which would be terribly high o.O (Although 1 in 20's still quite high - but I think the ban on donating blood should be lifted)

[jasey]

Yeah, I was just quoting the French minister of health at the time who had a grossly misshapen idea of what is fact. He kind of reminded me of the South African minister who put out official documents saying you could cure HIV by eating certain foods. He was ignorant. Of course, [@]@-:Undertaker:-[/@] assumed that I was stating that was fact and tried to use it in his debate even after I quoted the real number of men who have sex with men in the UK with HIV.

[@]@-:Undertaker-[/@], I'm not going to bother responding to your last post because it was, frankly, very rude. All I can advise you to do is educate yourself on the issue more so you understand things more thoroughly. I respect your opinion, though. Above all, I believe in the spirit of debate. I don't feel so minimally empowered that I would stoop to low levels.

[Catzsy]

I am on the organ donor register and intend to give blood when I summon up the courage as my blood group is O rhesus negative which is quite rare and can be given to any blood group in an emergency. I have a personal reason for supporting organ donation as when my father died his organs were donated to three people one of whom was a young mother with three children who had terminal liver disease and had less than three months to live. She sent my Mum a card thanking her for her courage to take the decision and said it was the first time in years she could even climb the stairs and do ordinary things like hoovering. I often look at the card. It makes me feel proud and at least something good came out of my father dying so young. Makes it a lot less painful, memory wise.

[jasey]

I am on the organ donor register and intend to give blood when I summon up the courage as my blood group is O rhesus negative which is quite rare and can be given to any blood group in an emergency. I have a personal reason for supporting organ donation as when my father died his organs were donated to three people one of whom was a young mother with three children who had terminal liver disease and had less than three months to live. She sent my Mum a card thanking her for her courage to take the decision and said it was the first time in years she could even climb the stairs and do ordinary things like hoovering. I often look at the card. It makes me feel proud and at least something good came out of my father dying so young. Makes it a lot less painful, memory wise.

That is beautiful. Thank you for sharing that! It is very inspiring.

[Nli.]

I've been on the organ donor register since I applied for my provisional driving license, they can have whatever they want apart from my cornea! (not that I would be using it) although I never actuallyreceived anything formally from the NHS about it, I hope I am actually on the register. Although my family know where I stand so if anything were to happen (whichit could) they would know that I would be happy for my organs to be re-used, but obviously it's then the final decision lies with the family.

As for blood donation - I went to donate a few weeks after my 17th birthday, but hadn't been able to donate due to an illness - they're really picky with who they want blood from (understandable). Although I have given a few times since being rejected, the first time wasdefinitely"the worst" for me in terms of feeling sick/dizzy but the other three times I've donated I've been fine. It's a shame you can only donate every so many months.

[Vause]

I give blood & i'm down to donate organs. If i die, i could save upto 7 peoples lives with my organs! Well my lungs are rubbish cos i smoke and my liver is also rubbish cos i drink my own body weight in booze every weekend lol. But everything is fine. I give blood because i know how hard it is for people who need it, i love the thought of knowing i'm saving somebody else

[GirlNextDoor15]

I'm still underage and so, I can't donate any organs YET at my country. But, I do think donating blood is not that scary. It's like having a blood test except that for this donating thing, you won't get any results. It hurts a lil bit but not as scary as what you think it will be. Gosh. At least it's better than endoscope. I was told by a doctor once that I might need an endoscopy test. THAT IS SCARY CAUSE IT HURTS LIKE ****

[Seikou]

i'm young so i haven't put my name down for donating organs yet but i'mdefinitelyplanning to put my name down forit, i mean why not? what other use do your organs have when you're dead, mightas welldo your last good deed and help another person stay alive :-) as for donating blood, i would love to do it but, i'm terrified of needles and wouldn't be able to cope, maybe if i get over my little phobia when i'm a bit older i might consider it because it's a great thing to do. :-)

[Empired]

I'm not allowed to donate blood because I have this blood disease called Eosinophilic Cellulitis which does pretty bad stuff to me so I can't think what it would do to someone who wasn't used to it.....