[Bubbles]

Just wondered how easy it was to give blood in NZ. Do you just walk into a local clinic or do they have mobile sevices like the UK.
Is there as much call for it in NZ as the population is that much smaller than the UK ?

John

[Carol]

We aren't allowed to give blood here - because we lived in the UK between certain dates. (Somethiong to do with the whole CJD)

:no :no :no :no :no :no :no

Very sad considering Kenny has an unusually high platelet count (highest in Wellington actually - apparantly!!) and was called in every couple of months just to donate platelets.

He donated right up until a couple of years ago when they stopped us.

[Carol]

Taken from the F.A.Q.

"Can I donate blood if I have lived in the UK?

If you lived in the UK for a total of six months or more between 1980 and 1996 then unfortunately you will be permanently deferred from donating blood in New Zealand".





:uhoh

[Moorf]

I was disappointed as I've been giving blood for yrs in the UK as rare blood type - here they won't let you :no

[driver]

Wow that's a shame we became donors recently,
Going again on the 29th July.

It was in the news yesterday that some people a few years ago WERE infected with CJD and have passed it onto recipients who have since died.

I can completely understand why they don't want our blood, but it is a shame as we'd be very willing.

[Bubbles]

Ok, thanks folks.
It's a real shame I won't be able to continue donating in NZ. One more over here ( UK ) and I'll be upto 30.

Cheers for the info' :nice1

John

[Kenny]

Having achieved 54 donations (and got the gold badge) I was sorry to be told that a I couldn't donate anymore.
I used to donate Plasma in the UK every 3 months. The nurses used to always comment on how high my platelet count was. When I arrived in NZ I went along to the donation centre in Wellington. During the session I mentioned about my high count. 2 days later, I got a phone call from the head of department telling me I was no longer donating . I was now their official Platelet factory.

Apparently, the average platelet count per unit is around 80 - 100. My highest platelet count has reached 525 per unit.

I have been lucky enough to directly save two extremely ill patients in intensive care with my donations, and helped lots of other chemo patients.

The day the anouncement of the change of the rules happened, I was actually scheduled to donate. When I arrived at the centre, the head of department took me into her office and apologised. She explained about the change of the rules and also asked if I would mind doing an interview.

So there I was, lying on a bed, hooked up to a machine, with TV1 and TV3 news crews sticking camera's in my face asking me how I felt about the change.
Then the papers arrived. Again interview's, photo's.

My 15 minute interview ended up as a 15 sec slot on the national news on both channels and the front page of the local paper.

Unfortunately, I did not make enough to retire. I still have to go to work every day. (did that cheque ever arrive? :( - it must be in the post) But hey! I got my few minutes of fame. :clap :clap :clap

The strange thing was that the change did not come into affect until 3 month later. So I sat down with the head of department and put together a schedule that allowed me to donate every 'TEN' days until the change came into affect.

[StevieD]

Isn't this sad? I have just donated blood here in uk and am nursing a hole in my arm to prove it! When you consider the amount of people who emigrate to NZ each year, it is potentially a huge resource. But saying that, the Kiwis are notoriously touchy about illnesses and disease entering their country (or so we are led to believe) and I can't say I blame them.
Just look at the incidences of TB raising its head in the uk with the huge number of unscreened immigrants flooding in to the country, it justifies their stance in my book.

On another note, a lady died of rabie in the hospital over the road from me today. She was bitten in India while on holiday some months ago, contracted the disease, and fell ill on return to uk. Went into hospital in her home town of Bury then transferred to Liverpool Neuro unit. Sad indeed.

[ellen]

My husband, a regular donor all his life in the US, was sad to see he won't be allowed to donate blood in NZ because he is 61. A handsome and fit 61 who is regularly thought to look around 50....

Ellen

[selchie]

They have an age limit on blood donations? Interesting.

[richard]

On my way home tonight I passed a building that had a sign in the car park that read

Blood Donor Clinic - No Exit
:eek

[Moorf]

:laugh :laugh :laugh

Was there a car parking space for Dr. Acula? :? :oops: :uhoh