I was a UK Citizen until 2003. Moved to NZ can't give blood after being a regular donor. I did e-mail Blood service & suggest they start a Pommy Blood Bank, pommy blood for poms if the Kiwis don't want it.
Do you think that with more people having tattoos and piercings (6 months stand-down after either before a person can donate) as well as travelling overseas there are less people meeting the eligibilty criteria to donate?
Since 2004, there have been a small number of reported cases of patients in the United Kingdom (UK) diagnosed with vCJD who have been infected through blood transfusion. Based on this information, and in the absence of a reliable screening test for vCJD in blood, the Red Cross Blood Service has implemented guidelines to reduce the risk of vCJD transmission through blood transfusions. Currently we exclude people from donating who: * Have resided in the UK between 1980 and 1996 for a total (cumulative) time of 6 months or more, or * Have received blood transfusions in the UK since 1 January 1980. Unfortunately, because of the extensive time period covered by the deferral and the possibility of unknowing exposure to beef or beef products, it is not possible to exempt vegetarians who have resided in the UK for a cumulative period of six months or more during the risk years. I'm sorry but I don't want to catch mad cow disease if I ever need blood, even if the risk is small it's NOT worth it! Since you can't donate yourself why don't you get out there and encourage your eligible friends and family to donate!!
I give blood every 3 months and in fact have a regular appointment as I am on the paedeatric list. This is because I have o- blood which is universal and given to babies in need. It's a great feeling knowing that you are helping save lives and it only takes a few minutes every 3 months. If you qualify, please consider giving blood! You'll never know if you might need it one day.
I watched your coverage of the blood donor shortage in frustration yet again. I would love to give blood in NZ. I came over from the UK in 1999 and used to donate regularly from the age of 18. I was a vegetarian from the age of 17 so my blood should have no mad cow risk! Please NZ Blood - rethink your policy!
I am not allowed to give blood because I lived in Britain. But we were given about three months notice of the policy. My blood was accepted during that time!I gather it would taake forty years for mad cow's disease equivalent to take effect. I wrote to the Ministry, suggesting "UK" blood could have a label saying for 50+ years old. It was deemed a too expensive idea!Whatis the policy in the UK?
I think they need a serious re-think here in NZ. The very small risk of Mad cow disease is out weighed by what benefits blood donation can bring. I used to regularly donate in the UK as I am O positive, and was shocked by the restrictions in NZ. My blood saved lives in the UK, why isn't it good enough to save lives here?
I donated blood 5 times over a couple of years. Then my hemoglobin count was 2 below what was the cutoff for donating. Even tho I'd never had issues and am fine with donating they wont let me. It's too much of a hassle to go thru all the channels to get cleared to donate again I just flagged it. Sounds bad I knw, but in the end it was just too much trouble when all I wanted to do was donate.
I am another Kiwi/Uk citizen who gave blood from the age I turned 16 and gave until I went on my OE in 1997. When I came back I found I could no longer give. If the law was changed I'd be down at the Blood Donor centre tomorrow. I will be listening with interest to John in the coming days.
I use to donate every 3 months in my old country.In the local shopping malls, they had a donation centre, so people would pop in while shopping and donate blood at their convenience (even on Saturdays). The thing here in NZ is that there are only so many donation centres and you have to make an appointment, that is an issue for me in a busy day. If they change it so that you can just pop in, even wait 10 min or till the next available spot I think more people will donate.Just my thoughts.