Last time I went for a morning blood test I didn't eat or drink anything beforehand so they couldn't get any blood out despite sticking a needle in both arms. It looked quite worrying actually, them trying to withdraw blood but only getting a few droplets out - for a very split second thought I was the walking dead!

Lesson learned is to always have plenty to drink beforehand - got my first session booked next month, so thank you OP for reminding me.

Yeah I take tablets every single day for the rest of my life. Wow that sounded depressing lol.

The fact someone is black will not prevent them giving blood. More likely as others have said, is failing the questionnaire. That could simply be having certain dental treatments, visiting certain countries, drug taking or a few other reasons. Anaemia is tested for and will also rule you out. Ethnic minorities are more likely to be a less common type of blood or have rare antibodies etc and they are frequently specifically asked to attend clinics, not told to go away.

If I give a pint of blood I expect a pint of tea in return to replace it. I'm British, I survive on tea

Until u have a heart attack under their supervision

Biggest pile of crap I've heard since....the last HUKD thread I clicked on!

I've given blood. All shapes & colours of people donating. IF you were denied, it was probably for another reason that you are not disclosing!

I used to give blood regularly, then got a letter saying where I used to go was to be scrapped due to blood demand no longer required due to advances in science etc.
Then I get bombarded with letters saying my blood type is low etc etc. Hardly makes you motivated to do it again.

The Transfusion Service is not about taking a unit of blood from you if you are going to present with an unfortunate consequence of the sudden loss of blood volume. That is if you have a condition like a previous heart attack or stroke. Or if you have some types of diabetes or epilepsy where these changes in volume could trigger something. Making you worse or be in the position of needing the blood back. They are also trying not to give the recipient a virus or other disease you may have been carrying from your overseas travel or lifestyle choices. Likewise a previous cancer illness, although the donor may be fit the cause could be some unknown factor like a virus and the donor shouldn't get that! Especially as some people need frequent or large numbers of donations which leave their immune systems vulnerable. It's nice to give but not at any expense! I can not give now as I have Lymphoma a blood cancer. Even the remnants of a cold may kill me! Some mobile teams have a time limit from the first donation of the session and can not over run, as the session has to be processed in a certain time. That's why you may be refused at the session end.

Great thread :smile: Despite being severely needle phobic (due to a traumatic experience as a child) I took myself for hypnotherapy and finally got over it and donated for the first time a few months ago. Now just wish I'd taken the step sooner!

Ps. If you're one of life's regular fainters like me, say no to the tea afterwards and go for the squash instead... I spent a very mortifying 15 mins with my legs in the air in the special chair after passing out at the refreshments station while enjoying my much looked forward to brew and biccie! oO

Read the donor magazine for info nhsbtdbe.blob.core.windows.net

​thanks but I would be doing this in my lunch break so timing is an issue.
I will try again at some point.

​thanks but I would be doing this in my lunch break so timing is an issue.
I will try again at some point.

Been meaning to register and do this for years.
Finally registered and booked in.
One near to me isn't until February but i'm down to give :-)

Thought I read Sainsbury's there! :P

Really!
Maybe people don't like the thought of passing out???? Just a thought

You speak of the benefits of giving blood but from a physiological perspective i can find many more negatives.

I wonder how many Nectar Points a donation would be worth?

or move to Wales!

Kudos.

Done today!

I stopped giving after a Christmas campaign where they later bragged they had sold most of it to the USA for millions.

I also have concerns about how they screen the blood they collect - if they did it properly, they might have picked up my auto immune illness in less than the NINE YEARS it took for a diagnosis.

Have to vote cold because I am not allowed to give blood being a gay man in a committed monogamous relationship based purely on a flawed and bigoted policy of who is allowed to donate blood.

Would give blood without a cup of tea or biscuits

ive always given since i was able, every 3 months, but due to a health condition ive not been able to for the last year, makes me feel guilty specially as my niece is the same blood group, and had to have several blood transfusions due to heart surgery.
tip for newbies fidgeting makes the blood run quicker so its over quicker

If you can't donate blood, you can still sign up to the bone marrow donor register (which is also super important, see this example). The DKMS send you some swabs in the post to stick in your mouth and post back. Whether you register with DKMS or the NHS, you'll be put on the same central register so no need to register twice.
Bone marrow donation sounds scary but 90% of the time if you are selected, they just process some of your blood through a machine to remove stem cells. Only in 10% of cases do they need to do an operation to extract bone marrow.
Please consider signing up especially if you are not white, as non-white ethnicities are under-represented on the bone marrow register. In the example link above they are desperately in need of bone marrow from a donor with Korean ancestry.

Ditto!

Feel cheated as they would only give me a cold drink as it was my first time... OP promised me a free tea :-) haha!

To everyone who donates... thank you!

I have an infusion of blood products every week. It's the difference between me being in a wheelchair and being a normal 34 year old woman. Without you guys, I'd be screwed.

BISCUITS FOR ALL!

great post miles136. I gave 40+ times but can't now due to ill-health. everyone should go. like organ donation, if you're prepared to take (or would agree for your loved ones), be prepared to give.

​Make an appointment, you can always change it later. Also keep checking your local branches closer to the time as last minute cancellations do happen

​must dig out the Hancock half hour set I bought ages ago. He was a troubled genius that man!

They don't want any more of my blood :disappointed:

its to keep everyone safe.
thats why they have rules, CJD anyone?

I may be mistaken or just naive, but if I'm willing to give up my time, travel costs and blood donation freely, why is the blood then sold onto the hospitals here in the U.K? It should be free for national health hospital operations and if it is sold for private procedures, then reimburse me for my travel costs at least.

Free coffee at toolstation any time you go there.. don't need to give your blood!

Where in Coventry can give blood outside of working hours? The website won't let you select a time until you've selected a venue which means a lot of trial and error. The last time I checked by phone I was told I'd have to go to Bedworth to do it, even though Coventry has 2 hospitals

If you want more blood donors don't exclude people who work.

Same experience here. Letter through the post saying they are desparate for O- blood, but twice now I have attended the appointment on time, but been unable to give because they were running late. On each occasion I stated that I didn't mind waiting, but was told that they didn't have time (I can only give later in the day because of work commitments).

There is obviously sufficient supply, even of O- blood, that it does not make financial sense to run later appointments.

Blood donated to the NHS is not "sold". The way I understand it, the local NHS trust "pays" the Blood & Transplant Service for the blood from their budget. So the B&TS is not making a profit, it just gets its funding from the areas of the NHS that need it. So if one hospital needs more blood, they use more of their budget on obtaining blood from the B&TS. It's just the way NHS funding/budgeting works.
There is info on exactly what costs there are to supplying donated blood here.

I think this article might clear up any confusion over blood being sold abroad (short version: no-one wants British blood because of fears over CJD)

According to this page the value of UK 'Human and Animal' blood exports is nearly £5 billion per year.

statista.com/sta…uk/

The fact that human and animal figures are combined makes me suspicious.

The government also has a commodity code for human blood exports. Why would they need that?

gov.uk/tra…000

But be prepared for CONSTANT texts, emails and post from them. I mean constant. I've had to block numbers and unsubscribe, etc. I could even donate as I'd had a tattoo.

It was PG Tips last time I went, I hope this is high enough quality for you to donate! :smile:

What a terrible inconvenience for you. Hopefully, if you ever need a transfusion, you'll not be overly upset by the CONSTANT stream of someone else's blood going into your body.

where's the deal?

When I first donated you got a bottle of Guiness if you wanted it, not any more.

Regarding the auto immune disorder. They do not test for anything about your blood except the haemaglobin level.
The questions you answer are to make sure you are not a risk or at risk of carrying something that may show later.
The six months period for travel or behaviour including tatoo's is just enough to allow the body to show what they do test for. Tests were not always available or accurate in earlier days.
Syphylis since the 1940's, Hep B since the 1970's, HIV and CMV since the 1980's and Hep C since the 1990's, as the tests became accurate and not over or under sensitive.

Regarding the 'sale' of blood. On occasions rare blood and organs are transferred via the Eurotransplant Service. In order to do so legally a system has to be recordable and licensed.
The commodity code is used to balance costs between countries.

The NHS has an internal market. High use specialist units eg.cardiac and heamatology use more blood and the Transfusion Service have to pay staff. The costs have to be covered.

If you feel you would like to donate bone marrow or stem cells, remember, every person who is on the waiting lists will be using blood products to keep them alive until the transplant.
You can help them now, even if you are never called to for a transplant.

As blood only lasts a maximum of 35 days, if other countries can use any excess of a particular type
close to expiring. Let them have it and cover collection costs. Thus a commodity code for human blood exports.

Indeed. My blood goes to Neo natal units for babies. That makes me feel 10 feet tall after I donate. I signed up for bone marrow donation too.

I would want it or my children to get it if God forbid the worst happened

You are more than welcome that's why we do it.

I went to give blood - twice. First time i was on vitamin D supplements, the second time I nearly fainted before they took it as I hadn't eaten. I then asked if there's a shortage of blood, they said "no". "Come back in 2 years".

lol. I won't be going again.

Very surprised by the refusal

I got a couple of chocolate cake slices when I went to enquire last time..

I'm sure they wouldn't let me donate as I'm pretty sure my cholesterol will be sky high from the cheap aldi pork pies I've been attacking lately - thanks to HUKD!!

I'll get my coat ..

As someone who donated 19 pints before needing some after complications during an op I can no longer donate but really appreciate what they do.

It only takes an hour and it's club biscuits and walkers where I used to go :wink:

If you are giving blood for the first time don't go on an empty stomach. Having had food/drink prior makes it easier and not as stressful. I wish I had known that the first time I gave!

It doesn't keep everyone safe. Straight people contract HIV too. Even though HIV is detectable after a window it could still conceivably slip through and infect a recipient. There is a risk/benefit analysis to be done - Risk of death due to not receiving a blood transfusion when it is vital is very high. Risk of death due to contracting an undetected virus from the donated blood product is far, far smaller. If there is more blood available than required then you can afford to be picky of course but the argument then turns to whether you should refuse blood from a gay monogamous man in favour of a promiscuous straight man/woman. The current ban is questionable to say the least, in my opinion.

Last week I donated my blood for the first time, I was stuck in rush hour traffic, but when I got there they were running 30 minutes behind anyway, which is apparently usually the case. You have to sit and read a lot of stuff for the first 20 mins about the process etc, then they question you in a private area about the health questionnaire, if there is any concern, a senior nurse will question you, once you get the greem light, they test the iron in your blood, by taking a drop from your finger, via a needle ****! they drop it in some liquid and if it sinks, you are good to go. Then you are sent to a second waiting area (under 5 min wait) gulp 500ml water and you are called onto the station when one is available. I asked how long it would take to drain, he checked the output volume and said about 7/8 mins, but as they were very busy i was there for around 12 mins waiting to be released. Then as the station was lifted up (because you lie back in bucket style seats) I felt fine but before i got up I felt a little light headed, i told that to the nurse, she flipped me back and got some water and called the senior nurse, who asked what happened, he said he wont count it as a faint because if you get 2 faints then they withdraw you. After 5 mins, i got up and walked away, to the food station, yummy loadsa cakes and biscuits and chocolates, i was even offered Gin & Orange, by the lovely lady, but then realised it was a joke, which kinda became like everyone is in on it as the next one after the other who came was also offerd Gin & Tonic, oh dear! lovely staff have to keep them selves amused.I loaded up with 2 packets of walkers ready salted , juice without the Gin, and a chocolate penguin, before i steadily made my way to the car and drove home 3 miles. All good, I felt light headed that night, and in the middle of the night and the next night, but since then fine. I didnt eat much all day on the day of giving blood, nor did I drink much, so lesson learned. I didnt do it for the snacks! but did it as I lost a friend recently who had donated close to 100 pints, and I wanted to experience it for myself.

No Quidco with this???
Just signed up, got to wait till January as no appointments left before then.

where is the link?

ah found link, Unfortunately i cant donate as im taking warfarin, there goes my free coffee ☕ n biccy

Great Post miles136

I moved from blood donation to platelets 3 years ago (you can't do both).

I have a higher than average platelet count at 400+ so a triple donation for me only takes around 60 minutes on the machine. For me the Stand Up To Cancer programmes last night were a good reminder of why I donate.

I would encourage everyone reading these posts to make an appointment for a blood donation.

Any existing blood donors interested in platelet donation:

Platelet Donation 1

Platelet Donation 2

Finally a HELLO to all the staff at the Blood Donor Centre at Ninewells they always make you feel very welcome :grin:

I give on a Saturday every 4 months at Tile Hill Wood School, Sherbourne Fields School or anywhere else available on a Saturday. I book my appointments via the NHS Giveblood app. Plenty of other places outside of working hours too.

Not sure about now but going back 20 years my dad used to donate but stopped when he found the blood was getting sold on to private clinics/hospitals (whatever it was) and before you say he wouldn't know he was a ex nurse and had many contacts and even now does a lot of medical work.

But I assume times have changed or it was just a dodgy local branch.

brings a much better feeling then the gym session imo. you feel great that this small act could potentially save lives. one of the best hukd ever. thanks for sharing.

tonyspoons: what a plonker you are. There are many people, myself included, who react badly to any sort of intravenous procedure. It is nothing at all to to with 'manning up'. My daughter unfortunately seems to have inherited the same problem. She became that much of a liability when giving blood (blood pressure and bam all over the place and then passing out); they wrote to her and said due to the way her body reacted, she would not be suitable for donating blood in the foreseeable future. She was devastated as she saw giving blood her duty.

I myself cannot give blood due to having a blood transfusion that was during the time given by the Government re 'mad cow' disease.

Bam should be bpm.

i couldn't donate blood for medical reason. but i'm willing to donate biscuits & tea instead.

i think my blood type is rare anyway (AB+), not many needs it lol.

Can you donate if you've had cancer? Only had one session of carboplatin 2 years ago.

Yeah its a real shame that people can be needlessly put off by false information.

As somebody who works for the blood service are you able to explain to anyone that if they want more donors they need to make it more convenient? At the moment they are doing the opposite. I never would have started giving blood if it wasn't for the bloodmobile coming to my place of work, but I understand that's been cut (at least in my part of the country). Also I used to be able to give in the village where I live, they'd come every few months, but that no longer happens and I have to travel elsewhere to a place where they visit monthly instead. Its a shame as when they came to my village the sessions were always packed and I imagine a lot of those people don't travel elsewhere to give.

I guess a lot of this comes down to cost cutting, but as I say if they want more donors this is what they need to address. I often try to convince people to give blood, and it would be a lot easier if it was convenient for them to do so.

I gave 28 pints b4 I had to stop, because of being a puff, I would love to start again, as I know I am safe as for many years I have been unable to get kissed kicked or followed, but am not also diabetic

many thanks to those who do

Actually potentially saving a life is the real deal deal here - although the tea and biscuits from the invariably brilliant staff is also welcome!

Miles, they've relaxed the rules - if it's been over a year since your last, er, physical contact with another man, you're ok to donate.

blood.co.uk/who…en/

I'd definitely agree with this, I think they only have 3 or 4 blood collections a year in my area that are in a convenient location to me. And I'm not always available at those times which means I can't donate. I've also been turned away because they were running behind or oversubscribed (which is great but, again, highlights the need for more collections in my area) and I've had some really long waits. It makes me hesitant to make the trip and donate when it's not certain how long it'll take or even if I'll manage to donate.

It's a shame they can't give healthy things like organic fruit or other thing to help poor person to get energy after giving blood.

I offer a shot of tequila, a fun size Mars Bar and eternal life... Contact me mortals but be warned I use a straw to take my pint... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

Reading up its a no, even if you've not had chemo or radiotherapy.

No

I hope you're never on the receiving end. What's with all this mentality?

In order to maintain blood safety, donations should be 100% voluntary. Please do not donate blood if your motivation for doing so is to get something in return.

restrictions apply...make sure you can before you turn up.

blood.co.uk/who…od/

Following a donation you need a brief infusion of 'unhealthy' calories. It's not what you are given on one occasion that matters, it is what you do yourself the rest of the time. No food is unhealthy, only continuing to eat the same food without variety and good sense does it become unhealthy eating.

I think that's just for priests (i.e. celebate) . It's disappointing but statistically based.. Even Anthony Nolan accept Gay Bone Marrow now...just take time...still good cause...

Personally I think instead of bloody comic relief and kids in need where they raise money to buy weapons and munitions, I feel we should have a blood donor awareness evening on our TV boxes. It's not promoted nearly half as much as it should be. Sack that Loony Henry off and get someone people have faith in to promote the best of causes.

Not necessarily celebate, people like miles that can't get themselves a man (not that he doesn't try, bless him) can also donate.

Until they pay cash for your time and product I won't use them.

It is crazy though - especially when you consider that all donations are screened for HIV anyway, regardless of sexuality.

It's the NHS blood donor services way of saying thank you for saving a life they also text you to tell you where your blood has gone. My last donation went to a cancer hospital

​O negative is not the rarest, but it certainly is the most useful.
The reason it is so important is it can be giv
en to a person with any blood type.
Ambulances carry it for emergencies.

As someone that gave about 10 pints of blood in the 1980's, have given bone marrow (ANBMT) and was matched for a second bone marrow but turned down due to health risk of being gay I've been there, done that.
I'm impressed ANBMT (https://www.anthonynolan.org/) have changed policy, saddened than the National Blood service hasn't but you have to respect the reasons.
Hopefully some day it'll change.

​I'm slightly gobsmacked by this. Maybe the the phlebotomist had a child to pick up from school.
Don't know why you would put something so negative when you know how important giving blood is. Give your head a wobble and consider going back please.

​A very small percentage of blood gets sold to the private sector. How else do you think they would get it? The money does go to the NHS funds.
Again, this sort of ignorance can cause major problems to something that fundamentaly, is there to save lives.

thank you very much for your post

you are hinting in the post that you may be interested in a same sex relationship, that would imply you are gay

Everyone on here knows I am the only gay in this village (mo represents the girls) so unless you change your ways you will have to leave this site

​You're a grumpy old troll. They won't just take anyone's blood you know.
If you are likely to make the recipient sick, they will say "no thank you".
You probably make a lot of people sick. :stuck_out_tongue:

Bloody good deal

Sorry I think you're missing the point, I have given blood and bone marrow in the past and complied with the regulations at the time. I noted with sadness that I was matched with someone but the clinic decided to turn down my donation based on statistics.
I left the Anthony Nolan list when they banned Homosexuals and now and back on it as they've changed policy (link).
I would never give blood against the rules, I note with disappointment that they are applied with a blanket ban. For example a Heterosexual who sleeps with 500 different UK based partners without protection can feely give blood but a Homosexual in a monogamous relationship can't.
I don't engage in risky behaviour, statistically 'the grouping I'm lumped in' are at higher risk.
And there you have it, it's not individually fair but it's policy. I hope this changes.

Guessing you still can't do this if you're gay?

Actually Laura, that may not apply to you. See here

see post 190

does this mean that if you require blood at some point in your life you would be happy to pay for it.

Thank god that those fantastic people that do give blood take time out of their life to do this simply selfless thing, helping to save someones life in whatever way possible is for many, including me, more rewarding than money could ever be

What you are saying, until the hospitals or patients that use the blood pay cash.
The transfusion service have by Government Policy, have to charge for the cost of collection and
processing, from any hospital NHS or Private. NHS hospitals then charge the local NHS Commisioning Group and Private Hospitals charge the patient or insurance company. All the answers for most people are in the whole of this thread.
If people read it all. You will get your answers.

Anthony Nolan are a register for Bone Marrow and they duplicate the NHS register. They do not take the bone marrow. If there is a match the clinic or hospital that will be taking the marrow from the donor will finally decide if the donor is safe. If you want to help give blood where it is always needed by those waiting for a bone marrow transplant.

If you really want to give blood or bone marrow, do not engage in risky behaviour, make sure you have not recently had an infectious illness or been in contact with someone with one over a period of up to three or four weeks.

Not been to a country where many diseases can be transmitted by mosquitoes or other vectors in a period of up to 6 months.(Zika virus can stay for at least 6 months hidden in the body, malaria the same).

Not had any disease that [b]might[/b] have a viral link, which includes cancer, MS and other diseases.

Not have an disease yourself where donation [b]may[/b] cause you problems.

Mobile teams have a very tight shedule as the first donation of the session dictates the time the team must leave for the blood to be processed. If you want to help go to the beginning or early in the session. A wait is good as it allows you to be relaxed, have a cool drink and your system to settle down. Being warm over caffinated and stressed makes donation less controlled or helps failure.

Cholesterol is not a problem for a recipient of the blood, it is only a source of energy.

Long term long term high cholesterol is a problem for the donor!

If you look a blood being processed the plasma of a person who has eaten fish and chips is a milky white with fat.

32 donations and counting :smile:

But, in practice, older people with higher cholesterol levels live longest.
Towards a Paradigm Shift in Cholesterol Treatment. A Re-examination of the Cholesterol Issue in Japan
drive.google.com/fil…ing
There are a lot more papers showing the same thing.
For the layperson, the science is set out in this new French TV program (English subtitles 80 minutes)
arte.tv/gui…=GB
and there is a new book on kindle that will help.
Fat and Cholesterol Don't Cause Heart Attacks and Statins Are Not The Solution Kindle Edition

The problem with fish and chips is the type of fat now used for deep fat frying.

FOOD CONSUMPTION AND THE ACTUAL STATISTICS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES: AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF 42 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
foodandnutritionresearch.net/ind…694
"Our results do not support the association between CVDs and saturated fat, which is still contained in official dietary guidelines..... link CVD risk with the high glycaemic index/load of carbohydrate-based diets. In the absence of any scientific evidence connecting saturated fat with CVDs, these findings show that current dietary recommendations regarding CVDs should be seriously reconsidered.. "
We shouldn't be using pro-inflammatory industrially processed vegetable/seed oils but saturated fats...

i think you have missed the fact that most current guidelines recommend replacing saturated fat with Mono and Poly unsaturated fats as these reduce CVD risk and event numbers. so just saying carry on eating SFA is plain wrong...
bda.uk.com/imp…tes

Is this negative? Surely it is just sharing an experience. The "deal" isn't really a deal, so on-topic discussion should be allowed.
The last two times that I have tried to donate (and last time that my father tried to donate), after being contacted, and after booking an appointment (necessarily at the end of the session due to work commitments), we have been turned away (though we turned up on time) as the sessions were running late, and there wasn't time. This is in spite of stating that we were happy to wait. We are both O negative donors.

But the BDA is not an unbiased information provider.
they have Nestle as one of their major sponsors
bda.uk.com/abo…ers

If you actually read the links I've provided you would better understand why the evidence supplied by BDA is dangerously misguided.

Evidence from randomised controlled trials does not support current dietary fat guidelines: a systematic review and meta-analysis
openheart.bmj.com/con…ab2

There are lots of other papers that have found a similar lack of association.
authoritynutrition.com/5-s…at/

It can be hard to donate. I've tried to book, been told it's full but that there will be "walk-in" slots available. Then I've walked in and been told they're only taking pre-bookings. And many times I've been refused because I've travelled to a foreign country recently, or had an operation, or taken some medicine.

But giving blood is such a good thing that I'm willing to persist. I don't harrumph and say "well if you can't be bothered neither can I". It's not the NBTS's life that I'm saving, it's a real person's. And frankly, I don't care if that real person is being treated privately or even in a foreign country.

I'm now a platelet donor, which requires me to travel half way across London once a month. Still well worth it.

Nothing to it. Wife & I have done 75 each. The needle thing is nothing either. I watch it go in and it's painless & smooth. You can make an appointment so there's little hanging around, and the staff are nice & friendly as well as professional. Top Deal!!!

I'm a keen runner and also donate blood. It is perfectly possible despite what some say. Yes, you'll feel like you're running through treacle for a few days but your full, previous fitness level comes back to you pretty quickly. Schedule appaointments pretty soon after a major race when you'll be recovering anyway and it doesn't have to have a serious impact on your training.

I believe platelet donating has far less impact on your body, so that's worth considering too.

Over the last year, I've donated in Reading and Oxford, and had PG Tips at both. Coffee available too, but didn't see the brand.

When I donate platelets I get a choice of confectionary (Mars, Twix, Crisps) and a range of drinks (_;)
I would recommend you try donating platelets also

I think I'm AB+ too, not sure if its worth me donating as its so rare and we can accept other blood types but only AB+ can have our blood :disappointed:

I hope by "use them" you also mean that if ever needed you would refuse a transfusion .

I'm AB-, even rarer, but they're very keen to have my blood. I think they prefer to give the actual blood type rather than one which is "compatible" (e.g. 0), so yes - it's definitely worth donating.

Ha ha, I'm on my thirty-something donation. I always really enjoy a cup of tea and a Club chocolate bar after my donation. I'm O-.

I thought only women got mad cow disease!

After donating blood, the body replaces all of the blood volume within 48 hours, and all the red blood cells within four to eight weeks. The University of California in San Diego estimate that for every one pint of blood donated, 650 caloriesare burned as the body must replenish itself.

riiight so a health promotor cannot partner with group of cereal manufacturers that produce one of the most important foods in our diet? cereals provide 30% of our daily energy, nearly 50% of requirements for over 10 vitamin and minerals (including calcium and iron).... why wouldnt they cooperate together? ohh I suppose you forgot that fortification of breakfast cereals contributed to reduction of iron deficiency anaemia in children and variety of other medical conditions since it started over 20 years ago.



so what, you suggest that everyone should literally drink saturated fat (or eat it with the spoon). I doubt you have any knowledge about health and health advice... and you clearly have not read the document ive provided you with

Wow some ppl are voteing this down

want more than a cuppa

I used to give blood in Dublin, when finished they had a little free cafe that had Bud and Guinness on tap.

Now in the north they won't honour my donation numbers and give me a wee gold pin....grr!

I do donate but find it hard getting appointment in Durham as all are full.

but at least you are still doing it anyway, well done xxx

Every time I have a needle I almost feint, and the nurse has to get me to lie down for like 10 minutes, and I need something sugary to get the grey colour off my face so as much as I'd like to donate and help save lives, It's too much of an ordeal for me, some people can't help it if they have a phobia. I know it's stupid and it's embarrassing having to go through it every time I need a blood test or whatever, but it's a psychological thing that I'm affected by, I'm not an attention seeker either, like what you're making me out to be haha!

Yet another one that would have been donating for years but excluded. Guess at least they allow me to be an organ donor. Realise they need to manage risk but been together 14 years and always practised safe sex together.

Seems like can have unprotected sex with a girlfriend without issue. That seems unfair. Funny enough I thought about donating in the USA and can't due to the mad cow risk.

Good on all the people that do donate wish I could help just never seem to be able to give up sex a whole year after 14 years its really slowed down so maybe will be able to in a few years. :wink: joys of married life

If you donate to the Manchester team you get a text message to say your blood has been used about 6-9 days after giving, usually christie hospital Manchester

Club biscuits too

If I give eight pints can I get eight cups of tea?

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
While we fail to apply most recent research on the importance of fat in our diets the increase in obesity, diabetes, cancer, dementia and heart disease incidence rates continues. These are all conditions resulting from increased refined carbohydrate and omega 6 consumption.
Added sugars drive nutrient and energy deficit in obesity: a new paradigm
openheart.bmj.com/con…ull
and we can see here how this works out in real life.
Increase in the intake of refined carbohydrates and sugar may have led to the health decline of the Greenland Eskimos
openheart.bmj.com/con…eaf

When dieticians become financially dependent on the junk food industry the advice provided by dieticians is corrupted to favour the best interests of their paymasters.
The person who is willfully disregarding the latest scientific research is you not me. Go back and read the information at the links I've provided and perhaps you'll understand why we have to try to understand why the information provided by Dieticians is continually failing to reverse our diabetes, obesity epidemics.

Came here to upvote and for this.

Bloody hell HEAT

Just been and given my pint as I have been meaning to for a long time but never got round to it and seeing this thread reminded me.

​or 8 pints of beer

Reposting...
'We need more gay role models to join the register and save lives'
say the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust
This doesn't cover 100% of all transplant centers but most of them...

Thats good to know, I've booked an appointment anyway, I hope they do need it as I really want to help

I just signed up (again) because of your post :grin:

I've had a few gallons of free tea over the years (90 donations and counting) At the start it was a great way of skiving off work for an hour or so, but I feel anyone who can donate should. After all you'd expect some blood as a right if you needed it, you should be prepared at least to put some into the "bank" for yourself

Wowzers, 90 donations is amazing!

Thanks to the OP, I’ve finally been along to my local centre to sign up and book an appointment. I have been meaning to for the past year, and this gave me a kick up the backside.

Ignorant, I know, but I didn’t realise blood would be required for cancer patients until my wife had her first transfusion during chemo last year. She needed several units each cycle as the chemo really affected her hb counts. The difference pre and post transfusion was like night and day.

Earlier this year she had surgery to remove the tumour and required 8 units (plus plasma) during an extensive operation. Needless to say, without this blood she wouldn’t be here now.

Don't underestimate the importance of your blood (or the gratitude the recipient's have for your donation!).

I personally thank all the donors,I personally suffered an terrible accident and had multiple open breaks and an brain bleed,was very nearly fatal and I was unconscious for a week and half due to the sheer impact to my head with facial fractures,my mother said I received i.v antibiotics,morphine and 2 pints of blood while i was unconscious,i nearly died and without that blood i probably would have been too weak to pull though,so thank you ,someone i never will know saved my life and they probably won't ever know,so thank you for saving my life,but unfortunately i can't repay and give blood since I've received blood,but thank you all that donate,you save lifes and saved my life.

Give blood once or twice by all means, but regular blood giving will cause cancer in the donor sooner or later, and I dont see why blood cannot be paid for properly? if i was in accident and needed a load of blood id willingly pay top dollar for it, its only fair and right that people who give blood are justly rewarded.

A quick search on the web shows no increase in cancer risk for donors, in fact some articles state a lowering of risk due to lowering excess iron in the blood. There was also a reported decrease in heart attacks and strokes among regular donors

What makes you think donating blood increases cancer risk? I'm genuinely interested to know.

I don't agree that people should pay for blood. For many receiving blood isn't a choice, and besides which I'm sure there are many people who couldn't afford "top dollar" or would try and avoid transfusions (at the detriment to their health) so as not to incur charges.

I went on Monday and it was PG tips, not the best cuppa, but the club biscuits more than made up for it,

Ha ha. At least I tried to donate. Now they won't leave me alone. They're wasting an absolute fortune on telemarketing. Shame really.

By giving blood you are being assessed at a low level by the team and yourself 2 or 3 times a year. Much more than most of us think about our bodies. Any change flags up a warning sign. Donors are probably fitter than the general public. Why would cancer be more likely. Surely alcohol, bad diet, smoking or overweight may be a factor.
Do you smoke?

You also want to be paid. Who would pay you. It would be the NHS. You probably don't want higher taxes, which would be the result.

Regularly donating blood and reducing the potential for iron overload is more likely to REDUCE the risk of cancer.
This paper "Iron Behaving Badly"
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc…98/
has a section on cancer in relation to iron.
Iron released from sunburn inflammation damages DNA
initiating melanoma as iron released from chronic low-level inflammation initiates bowel and many other cancers.
Because our bodies are better able to absorb iron than dispose of it ageing becomes the biggest risk factor for cancer; the majority of tumours (in developed countries) are diagnosed in aged patients. Regularly disposing of excess iron, particularly for older people, is a simple cheap and effective cancer risk reduction strategy which is why it's important to keep donating as you approach the cut-off age of 66 as only regular donors are permitted to continue donating after that 66yr threshold.
Those unlucky enough not to be able to donate regularly may consider taking CURCUMIN daily as that is both an effective iron chelator and anti-inflammatory agent.

Bourbons FTW!
These days,I just turn up at my local blood centre and so far they've fitted me in without an appointment.

We all give blood and move along. Thank you for taking the time to say how much it means.

I can't give because I have chronic fatigue syndrome, ironically I think the CFS maybe caused by me having too much iron in my blood; the main treatment for that is ..... give blood (or blood letting ) :smile:

Be aware that you are giving a product to a commercial company (American at that) who then SELL it to the NHS and other organisations.... its disgusting.

On 28 Oct, I will have my free cup of Coffee and Biscuits for 68th time.

From where do you understand its an American organisation.

See en.wikipedia.org/wik…ant

i believe Bain Capital were awarded the tender, but i havent looked into this

I tried it in Japan. I was turned down because of the Spanish flu back in 1918. There's something very outdated in these countries.

Did you buy today's Daily Mail?

What does it matter? If you are helping to save someone's life, it's a great thing.

Being one of those "phobics" I have to disagree. The problem is those that don't like needles and claim it as a phobia, makes the real phobics sound stupid. But I couldn't physically give blood unless I am already passed out, been the same past 10 years. I used to need regular blood tests and I would go for them with every intention of getting it done and every time passing out before the needle got near me. Body simply rejects it and drops, hate it and tried all the mental exercises etc but at the end of the day some phobias are real!

I think it's interesting that this is posted as an opportunity to get a free cuppa and biscuit. It's not a "deal" and I wish people wouldn't see it as getting something for free. It's a kind act by our health services to give you a cuppa and a biscuit after donating blood. Donating should be your aim, not a freebie.

After years of giving blood I now don't bother due to the fact your treated like a third rate human , not kept informed of the waiting time and over the last few years it has taken over two hours for a donation ! The staff stand about messing about not interested in the job at hand and it could be run a lot smother with better organisation. What they don't realise is after you have been at work for nine hours you don't mind an hour after work to do your bit but when it puts hours on your working day then you lose intrest . Yes I know people will say you wouldn't lose intrest if I needed the blood for some reason but I have given 28 donations already and would carry on but can no longer put up with the way you are treated !

Wow. Its called humor every one knows

Sit down my friend have a cup of tea to win at life u do not need money or material things u need love and laughter and enough money to pay the morgae

I wish people would understand that by donating blood regularly they ARE getting for FREE the reduction in iron stores that are associated with metabolic sydrome that drives diabetes, dementia and heart disease.
Blood donation is simultaneously associated with increased insulin sensitivity and decreased iron stores.
Stored iron seems to impact negatively on insulin action even in healthy people, and not just in classic pathologic conditions associated with iron overload (hemochromatosis and hemosiderosis)
We have an epidemic of T2 Diabetes that is threatening to bankrupt the NHS. If more people understood how they may reduce their risk of diabetes for free, by regularly donating blood, that would be a great help to the NHS, would improve their own health and probably delay the onset of dementia.

I'm now guilt tripped into donating blood whenever I can due to being O-

still, it's for a good cause and i got a bunch of snacks for my trouble, was left a bit bruised up last time though as needle had to be re-jigged as it was flowing too quickly :laughing:

then you should make a complaint, they are paid employees who should behave better

Gays aren't invited to this party. COLD

40 odd donations in the past but now unable to give blood due to the appointments system . By the time I get my letter telling me it's time to donate the sessions are fully booked . I'm not able to book months in advance as I don't know what my shifts are . I've made official complaints but get bland cut and paste responses from what I assume are PR complaint handlers and nothing changes . I've looked ate both sessions at home and near work . Voted cold as they cannot organise a drink up at a brewery currently

I like to donate 4 times each year so to ensure I get an appointment as close to 84 days after the last donation i book the next appointment the day before I go to donate, using the online booking facility. It should be possible for you to use the online booking system and should your initial booking clash with a shift you'll be able to cancel it or change it if possible.
As you get older everything you do reduce the build up of iron will help control insulin resistance and as insulin resistance is a driver of the aging process it's a simple way of delaying the onset, or reducing the potential for dementia.
If you stop donating now you will be unable to continue donating after the age of 66 and it's at this time it's most important for your own health to do everything possible to slow the aging process. You need to put your own health first so, however irritating you find the booking process it's worth persevering and making a "provisional" booking with the idea of changing it online should your shift pattern require.

Love giving blood. It's like getting mashed but without the munchies. But they give you tea and biscuits anyway. Nice.

While it sounds a good idea, I do not like the idea of my blood helping make the very rich richer.

But you appear to be cutting your nose to spite your face.
Regular blood donation has a beneficial impact on high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is associated with heart disease and stroke.
Everything you do that helps lower blood pressure helps reduce the potential risk.
The fact is you are turning down the chance of a free anti-aging, anti-metobolic syndrome anti-hypertensive treatment that would help prolong and maintain your quality of life simply because you imagine someone somewhere may be making some money out of providing the service
If the organization providing the blood donation service had any sense they'd be charging donors for the privilege of removing excess iron.
Fortunately, I think the NHS are too stupid to realize that the donor benefits more than the recipient of the blood.

No, no, I give my blood to real leeches the little dears are more deserving and loveable than two legged leeches.

But leeches cost money (15 Leeches for £125 - DELIVERY FREE) and don't supply drinks and biscuits.
NHS blood donation is free.

Why is everyone so negative? Making comments like paying with blood and the utter bs it can cause cancer is why we need more blood donors. Personally I've applied several times but first got rejected because I'd got a tattoo and then because I started having seizures.

I'll pass this on mate I work in the NHS so I'll make sure they get your complaint and pay attention

Jesus people have phobias of everything some people have panic attacks at the sight of a needle and this causes the muscles to contract so a needle is impossible to get in anyway

It's not true at all I can easily get evidence it's used for uk patients. We do DONATE to other countries when they are in short supply of a blood type just like we can be donated to.

Not really free, you have to sacrifice a pint of the red stuff to qualify.

I have too much blood in my alcohol system to qualify

​and how often are WE donated their blood I bet not often as the foreigners are take take take

I absolutely guarantee this poster is a Brexiter.

WOW, 26 comments in 3 years you've been here and one of them had to be this one...ffs. you was doing so well.

it will be a multi

... and fags, and beer, and a car... :-)

Unfortunately myself and many other completely healthy people who would love to give blood are unable to due to their outdated and homophobic attitudes and stereotypes, so I can't bring myself to vote this one hot.

But by taking that attitude you put your own health at risk because you are failing to take advantage of the free iron reduction service that is an inevitable result of the blood donation procedure.
With a big organization like the NHS the changing consensus medical opinion proceeds only by the death this current generation of senior doctors.
While we are beginning to see indication some have realized it's sugar, not saturated fat that is driving heart disease and Type 2 diabetes may be reversed by low/zero carbohydrate diet or severely calorie restricted diets, it will be years before they grasp that cancer's primary fuel is glucose and a ketogenic diet will improve cancer outcomes in conjunction with orthodox treatments.
Just because you don't agree with or support the outdated attitudes of the older generation of health professionals, that should not prevent you putting your own health first and help society generally, by regularly donating blood.

What on earth are you on about? I'm not ALLOWED to give blood as a homosexual male. It's nothing to do with my choice or what I agree with. I am not allowed to give blood, it's not an option for me, so how am i supposed to donate blood regularly. Your comments make no sense whatsoever.

sure i came across a place where you can sell blood, only in London i believe

Plus you get crisps and cold drinks, orange and lemon.
GIVE BLOOD IF YOU CAN

I donated today. my partner is black and has the sickle cell trait so I asked if he could donate. They said yes he can but it depends on whether the cells fit through a filter as they are misshapen as to whether they can use his blood.

But u still could have liked the deal. Put your dummy back in and by the way i am the only gay in this village

I don't like the deal though. I hate how they force the importance of giving blood down our faces constantly when they are refusing to take a big portion of the populations perfectly healthy blood. It's all screened for HIV anyway, and can anyone really say that a married monogomous gay couple are more likely to have the HIV virus than a promiscuous straight person. It defies logic.

I'm having to wait till my baby is 6months old till I can give blood. defo gonna do it though.

​thank you for that, its always good to read info like that.

Just received a message saying my last blood donation was used as part of a Halloween costume. Glad to be doing my bit.

congrats on both xx

thank you​, he's 3 months old so il be able to do it in 3 months. I also donated my cord blood with both my children, to the Anthony Nolan foundation and with my daughters it was used to treat someone with cancer.

A pint! That's nearly an armful!

Like many in this post, my local are useless. Used to give blood but now can't get in.

My local is like that too. I have to go up to the Crown & Anchor now to loose a bit of blood and I can definitely get in.

ء



ء
ء

wow a nandos after 3 comments this must be a record

We already get FREE prescriptions in Scotland
Roll on Independence

Hear hear! Tata now.

I have gave blood multiple times over the last 10 years or so, but my last 2 donations were rejected - This was of no reason, other than my blood reacted with the chemicals and agents they use to test the blood, they told me its because it was a New batch, from another supplier, and they struck me of the list, until they re-new their testing agents, then going to bring me back. This is a waste of blood, and a loss of a regular doner - I was told there was no health risks, and i am perfectly healthy.

Do you need to know your blood type before you give blood?

No they will tell you that

Thanks to anyone who takes up this offer. A few years ago I received a few pints of blood, lives are saved everyday by people taking time out to do this.

Too bad what kind of restrictions exist to donate blood. Could be so much simpler.
anyway: donate blood safe life!

For those that aren't aware - you can also donate platelets too. See platelets.blood.co.uk/.

My newborn son has had to have loads of platelet transfusions in the last few months, and I hadn't even heard of them before!

How long does it take for the blood test to be done and confirm all okie ? I donated for the first time yesterday !!

already gave 13 times.

In about two weeks you should get a text message that your blood has been issued. That means everything was fine.

If there's a problem with your blood, they will contact you.​ So even if there's no text message or contact with you, chances are it's still fine cause the text message thing is fairly new, I think they introduced it this year.

well I donated on the back of this tonight. so proud of myself. I was a Virgin and will be going regular now. thanks op :heart_eyes:

I'm going for the first time tomorrow because of this post.

you are all fantastic

xxxxx

i gave my 17th donation last week and its the easiest thing to do - i am not a fan of needles but one minor thing isn't going to stop me doing something that helps my fellow human beings.

plus an hour every 12 or 16 weeks where you can sit down and get a cup of tea or orange juice with free biscuit's also is a small commitment also

who says humanity is dead.
well done op for posting and encouraging so many.

if you have had a stroke you may not be able to donate, check with your GP first

2-3 weeks. you will get a letter confirming your blood group and donator number with some freebies.

i have donated blood for 30 years, brilliant thing to do and the Blood service team are marvellous. I would just like to point out that the free tea and coffee does depend on the venue. My local one is held in a Church of Later Day Saints and they will not allow any caffeinated drinks to be served! So it's squash, water or hot chocolate. Do still get a free snack, but even these have been scaled down, a member of the blood team told me this, due to cuts in the service.
Apparently, less blood is needed now because of the increase in "key hole" surgery. Still vital to donate though. Unfortunately, there are less venues where you can do so now. This is also down to so many venues charging the blood service to use their location. Very poor show if you ask me!

Brilliant post from OP .. the awareness he is spreading is commendable .. I did my first donation this week :smile:

Fingers crossed :smile: Hope my blood will help someone :smile:

Donating Platelets is a much better deal as you get your blood back as part of the process :stuck_out_tongue:

I've been doing them for about 5 years. I don't get much chance as there isn't much demand for my blood group (AB+) but its very rewarding.

The potential benefit of iron overload reduction, whole blood donors get from regular donations also applies to Platelet donors
"we have advised that volunteers should not donate platelets more than 15 times per year, so that red cell loss is no more than the equivalent of three whole blood donations (1500 mL)."

​Pg tips at ours, the label is on the string

​They send donors texts now to say where your blood has gone. Mine was sent to Addenbrooke's so I'd say no

?????

The blood service in the UK state you can donate platelets up to 24 times a year (14 day breaks)....

ALREADY DONATING TO HMRC IN TAXES MATE EVERY MONTH........ oO

Deserves massive heat!!! X)

I used to always give blood even tho I don`t like needles and felt a bit faint afterwards - I can`t anymore because of meds I`m on. It felt good knowing your saving a life. Much heat deserved to remind people to donate if they can - you never know you might need some one day.

I highly encourage anyone who can, to go along. It's really easy, takes max 45 minutes and the donor assistants always have great chat. I'm just out of my 12th visit. Once you're done, they can book you in for the next one as long as it's after 12 weeks, so for 4-ish times a year, and the chance to save a life... it's a no brainer.

I give blood regularly; my mum, who was AB-, had over 200 units when being treated for cancer. After she died, my brother and I pledged to try to pay it all back.

Our donation centre is the church hall. One day my (then) 5 yo son said to me "what does the church do with all this blood, anyway."

it has cought many members attention and it you read the comment I count about 7 new or returning donations so it worked and it was a joke

well, i would donate whether there's biscuits or not

I get neither tea or coffee at my sessions.Its at a Mormon church and against their religion due to caffeine content. But they have just introduce club biscuits. :smile:

great friendly people there,you meet new friends,t biscuits,and you feel you've done something worthwhile.

I would love to give blood but have a b12 deficiency and have injections every 3 months! Would I be accepted?

For those that want to lose abit of extra weight, this is also perfect. Win win...

Took me five years from registration to donation (my fault entirely) only to discover that my blood got some malaria things that makes it unfit to donate ... Not sure if I should be sad or happy about it

I would think not as this could make your condition worse, but you could look on the web page or give them a ring

So true :smile:

That is a good point, a pint of blood is worth about £20 to the NHS, priceless of course to the person receiving it! Having stopped counting at 25 pints of donated blood, over £500 worth!, I am charged for prescriptions. I never even thought about it untill I read your post.

No. It's supposed to be a selfless act.

But anyone wanting to improve insulin sensitivity needs to know that Elevated serum ferritin levels predict a subsequent increase in HOMA-IR in normoglycemic. pubmed/27750351
Having Insulin resistance is linked to higher diabetes dementia and heart disease incidence there are also insulin links to cancer.
Lowering serum ferritin levels via regular blood donation is a simple safe and sensible way to reduce one of the risk factors for diabetes, dementia, cancer and heart disease.
Looking after your own health best interests as well as helping others is an aspect of regular blood donation that everyone should be aware of.

I have given 50 pints. I went to a reception with a few hundred others,shook hands with the Lord Provost of Dundee and was given a boxed Tunnocks teacake.Cant say fairer than that.

I would do almost anything for a tunnocks

Hah I wonder how the Americans would react

I've given 90 and all I've had is a pen and a couple of lapel badges (not worried though, my first target was a donation for every year of my age which I completed about 10 years ago , now it's hitting the ton)

You are failing to recognize that every time you donate you lower IRON levels. As you get older this regular iron reduction reduces your risk of diabetes, cancer, dementia and heart disease.
Effects of phlebotomy-induced reduction of body iron stores on metabolic syndrome
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc…65/

I am 35 and on my first donation this week I was told that for the bone marrow registry they are only targeting younger donors, that is, my blood was not good enough :neutral_face: Is this information correct? On their website they say up to 40... although I understand that other registers like Anthony Nolan only take people that are up to 30 years old. Still went for the regular donation, of course, but left disappointed.

Well done you for your 1st donation! :smiley_cat:

I'd just like to say a MASSIVE thank you to anyone to gives blood, I donated myself until my transfusion but now I'm not allowed.
I'd love to know who saved my life but as I don't ill just keep thanking all of you :-)

Silly rules that need updating! I wouldn't have minded a bit of gay blood :-)
I'm also not allowed to donate since my transfusion but I'm assured the blood I got was "good" so makes no sense to not let me continue donating.

Not true uk blood is used in this country, however we do import frozen plasma for anyone born after 1/1/96 due to the risk of vCJD (mad cows disease)!

It is only with the £~30 per unit due to the work the NHS puts into taking the blood, storing it, separating, testing and recirculating it to the rest of the country. A wonderful thing you have done but blood is free

it is good to read that some members have started to give for the first time or are going back

if you can not give you can still help by reminding or encouraging those who can

We really don't. It's recommended to maintain stable blood pressure so that you don't pass out.

But there is always plain water available which is better for you than added sugars and additives..

We also had MINCE PIES available on Tuesday when I last donated.
However the atmosphere seemed a bit subdued as there were 3 management types in suits observing the dispensing of the drinks, It seems a bit over the top having 3 of the managers checking no one took more than 1 mince pie.
They seemed to have spent a fortune of lightweight display boards each displaying more or less the same message THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION as if this mantra isn't already the first thing all staff are trained to say at every possible occasion.
I get fed up with this grovelling obsequiousness.
If only the idiots could understand they are doing ME a favour by reducing excess iron.
I shouldn't have to explain each time there is a positive correlation between insulin resistance and iron overload-induced oxidative stress. Insulin resistance underlies not just Diabetes but also Alzheimer's.
At my age I need all help possible to delay the onset of cognitive decline and FREE regular blood donation is doing me a favour.
Perhaps if one of those new display boards had listed the many different ways regular donation may improve the health of regular donors it would encourage other donors to continue.
Having 3 managers standing around monitoring coffee dispensing and/or the placement of the display boards is likely to annoy not just the team but also creates an atmosphere that isn't particularly relaxing for donors.

Okay, okay. Calm down son. I assume all the staff are grovelling towards you because of your obvious status. You'll probably find that those signs were produced solely for you. I work in the organisation and I know for a fact that 1000 new managers have just been recruited on high wages with the only criteria on the job description being that they be experts at 1. wearing suits, 2. grovelling, 3. counting pies, 4. recognising people of REAL importance and 5. pointing out illuminated signs. It's a disgrace as I can do at least two of those things and only get paid £75K pa for putting bourbon biscuits on a plate (I'm in training to do orange clubs too, which will mean a long overdue pay rise).

Remember to do this before you go on holiday

Is it a push to ask for green tea

LOL probably not you could always take your own bag and set a trend

I got a text after my last donation, it was used in Burnley, approx 100 miles away from home.

CJD can have a 20 year incubation, it does make sense.

please remember to give b4 you go on your holls

Proof that I was right ☝️

Top notch!

this is still available folks