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The Daily PollHEALTH MINISTER SIMON Harris has urged people to give blood at their local blood donation clinics over the coming weeks.
One in four people will require a blood transfusion at some time in their lives. However, only 2% of the population donate blood.
Over the Christmas period and into the new year, the blood supply diminishes as collections are reduced but demand remains unchanged.
Harris noted that hundreds of people every week are helped in their recovery by the ready availability of blood, thanking donors and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.
We want to know: Do you donate blood?
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I donated blood for almost 30 years until last year when I had anaphylaxis (unrelated to donating) which means I can’t donate any more.
Whatever about those of us who can’t donate, those who either have never donated or haven’t done so for a while should try and donate more. It’s fairly painless and does save lives.
@Kevin Kirwan: Do you know what triggered your anaphylaxis?
@Kevin Kirwan: Well thank you, for all the lives you saved over the years.
@Chemical Brothers: probably a wasp, but haven’t had it confirmed, carrying EpiPens now. I’m “atopic” anyway with minor reactions to several different things such as latex, cats etc.
@Kevin Kirwan: Bummer not knowing.
@Kevin Kirwan: didn’t know about the allergy restrictions on donating blood, guess there’s one advantage of not having an EpiPen and just winging it. Yes I’m most likely going to die if I ever have a serious allergic reaction but hey, I can donate blood.
17.5% is so high because you cant donate blood if you lived in England during the time of the mad cow disease which is stupid as it was over here too. Nurses who trained in England too cant donate for the same reason. Such a shame as i really wanted to donate and on a regular basis.
@Siobhan Rosemary: Nice to know that you have a sufficient level of qualification to contradict the IBTS medical experts.
@Siobhan Rosemary: if IBTS are over cautious when it comes to blood donations, that’s perfectly fine with me.
@Siobhan Rosemary: that’s not the only reason why people can’t donate
@Angela Lavin: yes, women in particular often fail the test for iron levels in the blood being high enough to donate.
@Sean: I had jaundice as a child, which profits me from donating
@Tony Gordon: *prohibits
@Tony Gordon: not anymore I think
@George Salter: how is she contradicting the IBTS? They told me I can’t donate for the same reason
@Tony Gordon: i think you need to check that with Irish blood service. Don’t think that counts anymore
@George Salter: varadkar overruled then on gay men donating when everyone knows they are very high rates of STIs.
@Siobhan Rosemary: It’s quite a leap to assume the 17.5% who can’t donate blood don’t do so because they lived in England during the 80′s. I can’t donate because I receive a blood product every 3 weeks, without this I’d be dead.
My family and I are very grateful to all those out there who take the time out of their busy lives to donate blood, these people keep others like me alive. Thank you.
@Boyne Sharky: It’s more than likely England, but previous transfusions or one of the permanent diseases. Considering the percentage of gay men barred at ~5% of population, then only 1% would be because of this. I donated for 10 years before getting barred due to UK rule, but continued to donate in Europe. I understand the rationale behind the ban, and also that the supply is never low enough to need the 17 5%, but I would question if we import blood from countries where these bans are valid.
@dublincomments:
That decision wasn’t made by Varadkar but rather on medical evidence. Gay men don’t have a higher rate of sti’s. In fact I am a Gay man who has never had an still.
@Boyne Sharky: I am sure she didn’t mean the entire 17.5% was due to the England rule, but it certainly has a huge effect, as a lot of Irish people lived in England for a period during that time and then returned. It was almost the norm for a particular generation.
@Gulliver Foyle: I don’t know that the blood supply is never low enough to be concerned about the ban of certain individuals. For example the Irish Blood Transfusion Service website indicates only 4 days supply of O- and B-.
I can’t swear to it but I understand that we already do import certain blood products from abroad, it would be logical to believe therefore that we also share surplus stock with other countries. I realise what this means and, of course, there may be other considerations that I’m unaware of but, given the relative rarity and limited lifespan of some blood types they could hardly dump something so valuable.
@Boyne Sharky: of course that’s not the only reason lol i was simply saying why i wasn’t allowed to donate.
@Angela Lavin: clearly
@Jim Buckley Barrett: it was recent, only a few months ago
@Squiddley Diddley: thank you for pointing out what i thought would be obvious ha but clearly not. X
@Gulliver Foyle: where in Europe? I can’t donate in France because I lived in England during the 90s.
I gave platelets monthly for years when I was in Cork. Each platelet bag saves 4 normal blood bags from being destroyed to make a platelet bag. Unfortunately you can only give it in Cork and Dublin due to the specialist machines needed and I moved to the Midlands this year. But if any blood donors in that region are able to (takes over an hour, is done during working hours and you have to have the right veins for it) Its a big help.
@Edmund Murphy: Like yourself I started off donating blood for about 8 yrs and I was asked to donate platletes which I have been doing for the previous 13+ years and donate on a monthly basis.
Folks it takes about an hour from your day to donate blood and that’s 3-4 times a year and your making a huge difference, yes some people are not compatible but go and find out, you never know who you are helping by make a small selfless act.
@Edmund Murphy: Thank you. I have an illness that has required me to receive platelet transfusions. Thanks to all donors, you make a huge difference.
@Edmund Murphy: started donating blood in 2013 then asked to donate platelets in 2014.
My only reject is that i didn’t do this 20 years ago.
@Edmund Murphy: I received 4 platelet transfusions after complications having my son by cesarean section, it’s a huge frustration of mine that it excludes me from donating as I’m a huge believer in helping where and when you can, if everyone did a little and gave just a little! But it’s people like you who selflessly make such a difference
@Cathriona Daley: I’m back to giving normal blood again at the roving donation service when it’s in the area. I wish there was funding for more platelet donation clinics. For me dontation was never a thing I thought about. My dad always did it and used to bring me along so I got free crisps and club orange while getting to watch him help someone in the futures life.
@Edmund Murphy: Blood don’t need to be destroyed now, as there is Synthetic Blood can last up to years on the shelf. Americans use it for over seas.!!
@ÓDuibhír Abú: Cool. Do we use it here?
Donated for many years , now i’m too old to donate , everyone that can donate should as it saves many lives , think about it for a moment saving a childs life anf the effect it will have on the parents and family , or a mother saved to continue to rear and love her family . It takes but a few minutes of your time .
@William Mcgee: Great to hear :)
I have donated in the past, last time successfully in February 2018. Got a nice little text message a few days later to say my blood had been used in the local hospital. Made two attempts after that but had to leave after three+ hours of waiting at the clinic due to high numbers donating, despite making appointments. Will keep trying in 2019.
@Donnachaín Ní Uallacháin: Same, I like the texts, it’s nice to know when it was used. I’m due to donate again soon.
Heading out this morning for the first pint of the year
@Sandra: They won’t accept your blood if you’ve been drinking
@Tweety McTweeter: I haven’t been drinking
@Sandra: they only take a half liter of blood.
@Sandra: Don’t mind them, more power to you.
I also lived in the UK (1986-1992) and can’t donate blood because of that. Wouldn’t testing a small sample to begin with not be sufficient, to establish whether or not a potential donor’s blood is safe to use?
@Ewan O’Doherty: I don’t think they can tell if a person has CJD via a blood test, only a definitive dx can be made by a brain biopsy (post mortem). It’s erring on the side of caution. Maybe it will change though if better testing is found.
@Ewan O’Doherty: they can’t test for cjd as simple as that. So they can’t take the risk.
I’ve donated 50 times already and I’m only young still, so hopefully many more units to go.
It’s the best gift I can give anyone, and only an hour out of my life every few months.
@G to the de B: 50 times – once every 3 months – 12.5 years of donating. So you’re 31ish :). Keep it up.
@Jim Buckley Barrett: I wish i was 31. Late 40s, started donating at 21.
Women can’t donate blood during pregnancy or while breastfeeding or post childbirth so that excludes us for many years.
But every 3 months now, I donate.
@G to the de B: Nice to hear a fellow 40′s see themselves are still young :D
I would love to give blood but I can’t because I had jaundice when I was 16, I’m 54 now. Also the high percentage could be due to those who’ve had tattoos in the last 6 months (I think), which many people have now.
@Paolo: I had two transfusions fifteen years ago so I can’t give blood. Nothing to do with all the tattoos I have!
@Amy: Sorry to hear about the transfusions but if you hadn’t of had them you would be restricted from giving blood for at least 6 months after having a tattoo. I have many so I know.
@Paolo: I had hepatitis/ jaundice when I was 12 (29 years ago) and I’m not allowed donate either. Does it permanently stay in your blood I wonder.
@Ross O’Donnell: My understanding is they are constantly updating the technology and that they will take blood from someone who had jaundice at age 10 or below and working towards increasing the age limit. It must stay in the blood which is odd because if you had it as an infant you can give it regardless of your age. It appears any age above 10 if you got it you can’t give it.
I would love to be able to donate blood but because I had malaria 30 years ago, I can’t.
@Thunder Snowman: wow are you ok now? Have you ever had a relapse?
I am proud to say I managed to donate 514 donations of blood,platelets & plasma and I gave a bone marrow transplant.
Unfortunately illness won’t allow me to give any more but it has been my privilege to be able to help.
I was only a very small cog in a big machine.
@tommytukamomo: wow well done, you’re a hero, I wonder how many lives you’ve saved. I’ve never been able to donate as I’m too light and have suffered from anaemia most of my life.
Tried to give blood for @giveblood.ie last time around at blood clinic at Oakwood Arms Hotel, Shannon, but they 1st said they needed to see my blood sugar medication, when I came back the next day, when I was finally approved they couldn’t find my veins. And they asked, did you drink a lot of coffee prior to your blood donation, I said yes of course, how else can I survive the day. And the Irish Blood Service nurse on duty said likely due to excessive coffee intake your blood veins can be harder to locate in your arm. Why couldn’t this advice on 1st intake is beyond me. They recommended to only drink water on the day of the blood donation, of course in combination with plenty of healthy nutritious foods. Giving Blood can save lives. But I don’t really understand some [peoples frustrations why the Irish blood transfusion service can’t accept blood samples who have been in the UK. Reason they give: If you have lived in the UK for more than a year between 1980-1996, you can’t give blood. This is because of the risk of contamination via blood of the CJD virus. Btw if who ever even once in your lifetime received blood even 3 decades ago you are also excluded. Keep Calm, and give in to the Vampires :) But serious do give blood, if yo can!
@Gerben Uunk: I accept the restrictions as valid for now there is no CJD test for the living.
I remember the Hepatitis C mistakes and they learnt the hard way from that. A lot of my blood is caffeinated. So long as they can get at it, they’re welcome to it. I’ll remember to drink water on the day.
Myself and my daughter are alive because of blood donation. Thank you to all who donate xxx
We are now not allowed to donate as we have received transfusions.
I am very petite (5ft 1”) and I am not overweight, so naturally I have a low weight. Because I weigh below 50kg, I can’t give blood. Even thought I’m perfectly healthy and in a good BMI range. It seems ridiculous.
@Tracey Coleman: you would be at high risk of passing out, that i believe is the reason
@Tracey Coleman: it has nothing to do with BMI, it’s do do with blood volume. The amount of blood we have is dependent on weight along with other factors including sex and age so for someone under 50kg a unit of blood is too high a percentage of their blood volume.
http://reference.medscape.com/calculator/estimated-blood-volume
@Tracey Coleman: I’m 5’3” a healthy weight – over the threshold at between 51 and 55kg, so I should be able to give blood, but every time I’ve attempted to give blood I’ve started to pass out. First time the nurse told me to tell them to stop if I started to lose consciousness and as I started to black out I did, even though they stopped they were very put out and made it clear they didn’t believe me. After that I didn’t try again for a couple of years. Better experience that time, still started to pass out though. I’ll probably try again, but to be honest I wouldn’t do it alone and if I gave the same experience I don’t think I would try to give blood again
@Clare Anna Mee: I’m surprised they let you go back. I passed out after my first try and they politely told me not to come back.
@Tracey Coleman: I was the same in my 20s – my parents were donors and I wanted to start, but you do have to be over the 50 kg to spare it.
All you people saying how you’d love to donate but can’t because ….98% of you lot are fooling yourselves because you wouldn’t bother your hole if they changed the criteria for donating
@Dan Broderick: No!!! I would donate if I could but the criteria for donating have to be adhered to in order to safeguard the already compromised health of the recipients….
@Dan Broderick: Can’t speak for anyone else, but the I found out I wasn’t allowed to donate blood when I filled in the form at a donation drive and was refused. So I did get off me hole and go.
@Dan Broderick: I’m terrified of needles, but I would genuinely like to donate..
However, after finally working up the courage a couple of years ago, I spent nearly half an hour with 2 nurses trying to find my veins.. they couldn’t find any large enough to take the needles.. So, I couldn’t give.. Not really my fault, that’s just how my veins are :/
@Dan Broderick: no actually I would in a heartbeat, saved my life 9 years ago giving birth to my daughter so I would love go donate and give back but due to receiving transfusions i can’t.
@Dan Broderick: Wow must be great to know everything about everyone. Would you not put your superpowers to good use instead of snarking in the comments section?
I’m one of many people who can’t donate, and I know the screening is unlikely to change for me. However I know lots of people who would donate if the criteria changed (living in the UK, past blood tests, MSM etc).
@Dan Broderick: I went to the clinic and was told I couldn’t donate. Still, enjoy the view from that high horse
@Mirabelle Stonegate: try again but this time drink lots and lots of water before hand including the days before
@Dan Broderick: nice to see a pantomath in action, I had lifesaving medication as a young child that precludes me from ever giving blood. Never seen doctors run so fast to stop my donation, they were very concerned I would have a relapse. But it nice to know I didn’t really try.
@Dan Broderick: That’s rubbish, if they hadn’t kept to medical advice they would need it themselves. Either they’ve been through enough or they’ve already offered and been advised to hold off.
Over the years I’ve volunteered to give blood but because I had jaundice when I was a child I can’t. That was some 40+ years ago. With advancements in technology surely there must be a way to screen/filter the blood as I would happily donate
@Paul: We had an an epidemic of Yellow Jaundice, at school, back in the 60s, both my sister and I caught it, and couldn’t give blood, for years. But the ‘rules’ changed a few years ago, they can use parts of your blood for other things, besides transfusions, so my sister became a donor here, an’ I became one in Co. Derry. But, now that I’m back in Co. Dublin, I’m not allowed donate, anymore, because I lived in Co. Derry, and England.
@Paul: i believe you find that has changed now
I went back to it last year after falling out of the habit of going. Well worth an hour or two of your time every three months
I needed a lot of blood and platelets during a stem cell transplant in September 2018. If you’ve ever donated blood, thank you.
Truly life saving stuff. Spend a day on children’s cancer ward and you will have a different perspective of how important this really is.
Can’t donate because I’m a healthy married gay man, with O- blood.
@Conaire DeBhairduin: who said your healthy?
Just joking, i have to agree that is a BS rule from the dark ages.
The “excuse” is that gays are at a higher of hiv yet heterosexuals each year contract more STDs than any other group.
@Conaire DeBhairduin: Well if I needed a transfusion (hopefully never) I would be eternally thankful for your blood.
I am a pelican award donor. Done so all my life but have now reached retirement on medical advice. I miss it.
@Tim Oleary: Same here, got to 514 donations and I look on my awards with pride.
Well done Tim and wishing you longevity.
I suspect a lot more people would give blood if they could do this at work which involves no travel or finding the time outside working hours. This should be the strategy enjoyed to boost donations.I can’t personally give blood as I have pernicious anaemia but if this is no longer the case I would love to contribute.
@Irene Kealy: you just described laziness at the worst. It takes one maybe two hours every three months to donate – not even the length of a marvel movie, if a person can’t find that time to save a life they seriously need to look at themselves
@Jim Buckley Barrett: I work full time.I also visit my mother in a nursing home plus my brother who has cancer on a weekly basis plus mind my grandchild so the point I was making is that giving blood at work would increase donations and surely that’s what we all want.
@Irene Kealy: We looked into the possibility of having an IBTS clinic at work – the idea was shot down by staff who said they didn’t want their employer putting pressure on them to donate, that it was their decision only, and the employer should stay out of it.
I am snookered so can’t give blood
I used donate blood every single time they came to town then I was diagnosed diabetic and because of medications I can’t give anymore. I’d still love to do my bit and donate.
@In my opinion: they are always looking for volunteers to promote the drive in the area, you can look into volunteering, just a suggestion.
Where’s the safeguarding team and the advocacy teams
These are supposed to be in each area now
But how do you contact them?
Why is this information not posted for everyone concerned?
@mo fel: what has this to do with the story.
You can find the safeguarding adults team contacts on hse site or contact the primary care office in your area.
I donated, intermittently over a few decades, ten times. On my eleventh visit to a donation centre I answered a new question on the form, whether I had worked for six months or longer in a tropical country. I ticked Yes and they politely refused my donation – something to do with the possibility of malarial residues in the blood. (I never had malaria.) The six-month tropical rule also eliminates Irish personnel who have served on UN peacekeeping missions. Pity.
I’ve donated over 20 times but needed a transfusion after my first child so I’m no longer allowed to. Very thankful for all those who are able and continue to donate.
Rare blood type A-R neg but unfortunately my iron levels have always been too low to donate. Nothing I do increases my levels my whole life. Its sad, I wish I could help. I am a registered full organ doner, but not guaranteed that will ever help anyone. If I could donate I definitely would.
Some of the collection drop over the Christmas period is likely because the regular donors have been afflicted with colds or flus so uare unable to donate until healthy again
I’m a lifelong donor, O+. Started donating blood when I was 18, over 30 years ago. In the interim I’ve donated on the plasma panel (when it existed) and the platelet panel. The process is easy, painless and rewarding to think of the positive impact it is making. I’d always encourage people to go try.
“I can’t Donate blood” Is a bit ambiguous. There’s a big difference between that and “I’m not allowed to donate blood”.
I could donate if I wanted to but I don’t.
@Toby Fish: fake account for trolling, seriously didn’t you have a life? Didn’t your mothering show you any love? You want a hug?
I’m on medication for Epilepsy so I’m not allowed donate.
I’m gay so… no.
My blood is O negative. Went into give blood and because I spent time in the UK in the late eighties and early nineties they won’t take it. (CJD)
Can’t because I live in the UK during the mad cow scare which like quick sand didn’t turn out to be as much of a problem as we thought it would be
Was a donor until I myself needed several units of blood for a transfusion , it saved my life and I’m eternally grateful to those who county to donate , such a pity I can no longer donate
I regularly gave blood in the Uk and 12 yrs ago when I moved to Ireland was told I couldn’t here due to living in the UK in the 80′s and CJD-mad cow disease. One of the staff I spoke to after queuing admitted it made no sense to him that it had never been rescinded and added it would soon. 12 yrs later the ban has been lifted in other countries like Canada who lifted the ban in 2007 as evidence showed the risks were minimal and had caused blood shortages
I regularly donate, but I went to Greek islands last year and on my return was told I could not donate for 365 days.
I donated for years. Was sent a letter after one donation to say I couldn’t donate anymore. I contacted them and asked why and was given no genuine reason. My donations had always taken a little bit more time than average and i was basically told that it took too long. Was then told to come back in a year’s time. I want to donate and i can but this was response was shocking
i’d love to but the idiots at the IBTS say no because i had a burger in london back in the 90′s…moooo!
@Dave Dublin: they can’t test for cjd, no use in taking your blood and putting the receiver at risk
@Jim Buckley Barrett: being short of blood is a risk too. given that the brits use their own blood means its not serous risk, just a pencil pusher risk because the ibts were unprofessional in the past.
if every other country had the same rule about their people having resided in the uk it might be different but i doubt it
@Dave Dublin: Australia still have the ban but Canada rescinded it in 2007
Lived a few years in UK in 80′s & 90′s , can’t give blood !!
I donated a couple of times in the 70s and 80s, but then I went to England for a few years, where I partook liberally of roast beef and other viands. As a result, I can no longer donate blood in Ireland.
I have haemochromatosis (excess iron) and the treatment is to have several pints of blood taken over a few months a couple of times a year. As I lived in the UK 1994 to 2003, I can’t donate so it’s all dumped! Soul destroying!!! Hopefully they’ll discover a way to find CJD in the blood. Hundreds of thousands more Irish people could donate.
Can’t give blood anymore since I got 5 units in a transfusion 4 years ago. Eternally grateful to those who do.
Not allowed to donate. Still gay…
@Ben Fede: has that not changed by now? Ridiculous!!
I was told ‘Thanks, but no thanks’ because all three times I donated I fainted. I found out since then that I’m hypothyroid and now I’m on medication for that, so maybe that will help with the fainting and I’ll be able to donate again.
Iv dirty homosexual blood so can’t donate
Those stating once or twice per year are likely frequent donaters. Several isn’t an option, it’s a 90 day exclusion between donations. I feel the Malaria area buffer between visit and donations is too big at 12 months. I recently travelled to Mozambique on holiday and previously to Kruger in ZA and have served now 15mts (not consecutive) exclusion where I would have happily donated since 2015.
Did always but now over 70 so they will not take it
In the Charité Berlin, a University Hospital was observed that donate blood regularly can reduce high blood pressure up to 8 digits. So it helps donors with higher blood pressure too.
have your say