Okay I'm not on any of those list (as I'm Dutch ) but I'm not on the equivalent lists over in NL either.

The reason for not giving blood is pretty simple.... I hate needles! I have tricky vains or something as they never get it in one go... so I don't like having blood taken (Lab work), although it doesn't really hurt (much) or anything you end up with a huge bruise, plus all the additonal stress it causes of having to wait and sit on that chair. Did I mention I hate needles?!? So I just avoid the agro and don't donate.

Although I'm not on the donor list... However I have nothing against giving up some of my organs when I'm dead. Aslong as I'm alive you aint touching them but I'm done using them you can have them if it's gonna save someone's life. My loved ones know that I have nothing against donating organs, however my dying is as much about me not being there as them needing to go on with life so if they think it's a good idea at the time they can donate my organs as they see fit. So why no donor card.... Well I'm against the system as it stands at the moment (plus I'm lazy). I feel there should be an opt-out system not an opt-in system, so I won't cooperate with an opt-in system as I'm against it (not to mention that I don't plan to die any time soon.... so by not opting in (and the lack of donors on the list) it strenghtens the argument for an opt-out system.

I don't know if we have an equivalant of the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register. But from what I gather it is a surgical procedure in which they insert a big needles into your hip bone to gather bone marrow...... So what do you think the odds of me registering for that is?!?

Might sounds really "mean" and "egocentric" but if it was for family or someone I cared about I would put my "irrational" concerns aside and just do it if it meant saving their life. But for a random person I don't know.... lets just say I don't feel motivated just yet.

"What, a pint? That's a whole armful!"

I'm on the blood donor register and donate blood as often as it's needed. Not on the bone marrow register, mainly for not getting round to the paperwork but also, if I'm frank, because the procedure makes me more than a little queasy.

But that's no excuse really (the queasiness, paperword is always an excuse), so I'll probably have another crack at signing up the next time I'm dropping my pint into the blood bank.

As to the why: well treat others how you'd like to be treated innit.

I'm an organ donor, and i'm on the blood list but i haven't had chance to give blood. i don't really wanna do it whilst i'm stressed at uni but it hasn't been available round my area whilst i've been home, but hopeufully in the summer.

Check out this page to tell you where and when you can donate. It gives you times of static stations as well as the mobile ones

(link fixed)

(Edited by Staff 27/04/2006 16:03)

I'm not a donor, and i'm on the organ donation list. I have nothing but the highest admiration for those who regularly donate blood, as five years ago such a person saved my daughter's life

I give blood as often as I remember to go to the sessions - which isn't as often as I'd like to. It's such an easy thing to do, but has such a major impact on saving lives. And while you might not get cold hard cash here like you do in the US you do get tea and a whole (mini) pack of biscuits for your pains.

I haven't registered for bone marrow and i can't quite articulate my reasons for not doing. Although I think I should point out that there is an alternative procedure for people who don't like/want needles.

I don't have a donor card - I'm not entirely sure where I stand on the issue or organ donation so haven't signed up. I do think that the system should be opt-out as opposed to opt in though.

I don't actually have a card, although I have signed up, twice I think! I ticked the box when I applied for my drivers licence, and again when I registered to donate blood. Not entirely sure how they're supposed to know if I'm registered without having a card. All my family know exactly what I want so it's not an issue really.

I realised that I didn't put my reasons down for donating, Again they're simple. It saves lives. If me doing this tiny little thing can potentially save god knows how many lives, then I'll do it. Plus, I like the free juice and biscuits We even get KitKats at our joint

I keep finding reasons not to....

First I was Asthmatic, so the steriodal medication they gave me prevented me giving blood. Now I keep going to nice exotic places with Maleria (spelling?) so I have to wait for 2 years. But I suspect I will be off somewhere else nice soon.....

Not on the other registers either.... not sure why....

I would if I could.

It just works out that I've had a tattoo at a certain time as you can't give upto a year afterwards...

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by ChamblerDid I mention I hate needles?!?

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testify, brutha...
yeah - i hate needles, which is one of the reasons ive been putting off giving blood.
ive had a donor card in the past, must really get myself a new one, or whatever the current system is - as others have said, im currently using my bits (stop sniggering at the back!! that means you, Y&T!!), but once i dont need them any more, im sure someone else could find a use for something.
bone marrow - again, queasy, much??
although if someone close to me needed it, i suppose i could put my misgivings aside - just knock me out first!!
did i mention that not only do i hate needles, but the last 2 times ive been into hospital for operations, ive passed out when they went to shove that thing in my arm to put the needle into??
and ive also nearly passed out watching ER because of this??
in fact, the only thing im more scared of is my mum...

I believe Im disqualified on the grounds of surgery since 1980. Which is a pretty good excuse, as I probably wouldnt anyway as Ive had a lot of needles and such that I didnt have any choice over, so dont feel like volunteering for any more!

Another one with the hatred of needles here. It's bad enough getting a flu vaccination (and I'm really not looking forward to getting whatever jabs I need to go abroad in a couple of months), but sitting there with a needle in your arm for however long it takes to drain a pint of blood... I really don't think I could do it...

Also, my mum was told many years ago that as an asthmatic they couldn't accept her blood (although she had donated previously), so I'm guessing that would be the same for me.

I absolutely support the idea of giving blood, and the people who do it have my utmost respect. I really would like to do it... but no...

As for donating organs, I'm very much up for it, though I don't actually have a donor card or anything...

I give blood, have been doing since I was 18, but not as often as I should ..... recently I've forgotten the sessions

I'm registered to donate organs.

I haven't registered for bone marrow. The whole things scares the hell out of me and i'm not that squeamish!

I used to give blood, after hearing that stocks were dangerously depleted. Then I heard that they were selling 'surplus' blood to Germany. I'm not saying the ones complaining of a shortage were the same as the ones doing the selling, but someone wasn't being honest.

And I don't think it was a question of one type being more available than others. What's collected should bear some relation to what's needed. I think it was another example of creative accountancy to conceal the NHS's shortcomings, something that is being prevented now, causing hospital administrators a lot of grief.

(Edited by The_Host 28/04/2006 09:22)

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by Ethan
I would if I could.

It just works out that I've had a tattoo at a certain time as you can't give upto a year afterwards...

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It's gone down to 6 months for tattoos now

I'm unable to give blood unfortunately as I had meningitis and septecemia (sp?!) when I was born and had to have a transfusion - apparently, as I had it before 1985, my blood might be carrying CJD (or something?!!). I was told this years ago, so it might have changed...I'm sure someone in the know could correct me if I'm wrong.

I might well look into signing onto a couple of the those organ donation registers though - I've always thought it a really worthwhile thing to do.

(Edited by head2head 28/04/2006 13:15)

I am a blood donor although I too keep forgetting to go and now they don't even write to me anymore. I must look at giving a donation again soon especially as Syd says you get a whole packet of biccies now!!!.

I am a registered organ donor. I used to have a card but I watched that Holby/Casulaty organ donor episode and both Dean and I registered on the website afterwards.

I am not a bone marrow donor though. I wanted to be but someone told me it's an extremely painful procedure and I'm scared!!

I wish I could give blood, but I am under the weight requirement (this scares alot of people). Not frightened of needles at all as I'm used to them because of piercings, so when I put a bit of weight on I will be down there

Not sure if I want to donate my organs...I think it's something I will have to think about further. More religious beliefs than anything else holding me back.

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by Sydney
(quotes)

It's gone down to 6 months for tattoos now

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Really!? Blimey, I didn't know that to be honest. In that case there's no reason for me to give some go-go juice now then...

(Edited by Ethan 29/04/2006 21:35)