Donating Blood
SOCIETY BENEFITS
Provide many people with the gift of life.ECONOMY BENEFITS
No payment for blood means the money can be better spent somewhere else.ENVIROMENTAL BENEFITS
Using mobile blood transfusion service at your workplace will reduce the number of individual car journeys made.USEFUL LINKS
Advice
Those individuals who are donators will already know the feeling of giving without ever expecting anything in return. To help someone you will most likely never meet, simply because it is the right thing to do. Important Note: Do not donate if you are feeling unwell. Always consult your doctor if you are unsure.
There are actually four different ways in which you can donate, including:
* Blood
* Platelets
* Bone Marrow
* Organs and Tissues
Usually people start by donating blood and then enquiring about the other ways of donating. Remember to ask about anything you are unsure about (even if you think the question is stupid) as the staff will be happy to answer your enquiry.
Donating Blood involves heading to your local blood donating centre roughly every 12/13 weeks for half an hour. The process is warm, welcoming and very professional. That's it! If you are in a hurry then why not phone the centre to ask when the quiet times are.
If your company/office has around 200 people who would be willing to donate and your company takes its social responsibilities seriously. Then why not phone your local donating centre to see if they offer a mobile blood transfusion service. The mobile unit will visit your company for a day allowing everyone in your company to donate. This will reduce disruption and eliminate the time needed for individuals to travel to a donating centre.
Donating Platelets is for those who have the time and commitment to donate more regularly and for longer. Platelet donations usually last for around two hours (whole process) and appointments are made for a donation to happen every four weeks.
It is important to consider whether you can give this kind of commitment before continuing as they need a regular supply.
Many people do not have the required levels of platelets in order to donate. It is important not to become despondent if you are one of these people as it is not down to your willingness. There should be no reason why you still can't continue to donate blood.
Donating Bone Marrow requires that you consider very importantly the process and impacts that donating bone marrow will have on your life.
You can register up until your 45th or 46th birthday and you will remain on the register until your 56th birthday (roughly).
If you feel that this is something that you want to do then why not visit your country's donating website (see links on the left).
If you are still interested then we recommend you contact your local blood donation centre to talk to the professionals who will talk you through the whole process.
Donating Organs & Tissues is possible when you are living e.g. donating a kidney or bone. However, when you die, your organs and tissue can be used to save lives and improve the 'standard of living' for many more.
If you would like to give other people (and their families) a gift when your own life comes to an end, then there are three things you need to consider:
* Discuss the possibility with your family so they know your wishes if the time comes. This will also make it easier on your family if they have to make a decision.
* Register on the NHS Organ Donor Register at the 'UK transplant' website found in the links on the right.
* Carry your donor card around with you - just in case.
