I have a massive phobia of medical needles (I've had various piercings without batting an eyelid, but in a medical context nooooo) and having blood extracted makes me verge on fainting. I had a blood test recently (which I only consented to because I was seriously ill) and nearly had a panic attack in the waiting room, so I'm going to pass on a massive needle and ten times as much blood loss.
I have a needle phobia, felt faint, felt sick, cried the whole way through donating, but the feeling afterwards was great.
And if you don't believe I'm needle phobic, I slapped an 8 month pregnant nurse because she was trying to inject me (wasn't a conscious decision!)
I refuse to donate to an organisation which would disciminate on the basis of someone being a homosexual. You can test blood for HIV so why would you specifically stop homosexuals from giving blood? It's ridiculous. It's like sticking all black people in prison because they're more likely to commit a crime..
I didn't donate "to an organisation", I donated to the person who's life I helped. How self-righteous are you to deny someone life because you feel the organisation has prejudices when actually it is due to safety? Read the thread, it's been explained many times why homosexuals can't give blood. Get off your high horse and go and help someone's life.
I refuse to donate to an organisation which would disciminate on the basis of someone being a homosexual. You can test blood for HIV so why would you specifically stop homosexuals from giving blood? It's ridiculous. It's like sticking all black people in prison because they're more likely to commit a crime..
My brother is gay and my best friend is too, but this doesn't stop me from donating. The blood you donate doesn't go to the NHS, it goes to the people's who's life it saves. I don't agree with not allowing homosexuals to donate, but it doesn't mean I can't. Swallow your pride please.
I donated last month, was funny when I closed my eyes all the nurses thought I'd fainted. Our accomodation organised it so it was very easy, didn't have to worry about making an appointment.
I've had a blood transfusion so can't. I'm on the register to donate everything else though.
Although if it wasn't for the said blood transfusion I wouldn't be here today so thanks so much to everybody who's donated. I strongly encourage everybody who can donate bloody to do so.
I refuse to donate to an organisation which would disciminate on the basis of someone being a homosexual. You can test blood for HIV so why would you specifically stop homosexuals from giving blood? It's ridiculous. It's like sticking all black people in prison because they're more likely to commit a crime..
I'm gay and I do agree that this ban is unfounded and unfair, since a gay man is banned for life, regardless of being tested HIV- and being celibate since the test.
Though I still think that one should continue to give blood if they can, since it really is about saving lives.
If there was no ban, I would give as much blood as possible
I'm gay and I do agree that this ban is unfounded and unfair
Unfair, yes. Unfounded, no.
Have you ever seen the blood collection things? They're packed, with good numbers of people waiting in case anyone misses an appointment.
Gay people have a much higher risk of HIV. Taking a gay person, means taking one less straight person because they're busy enough. If they can only take one of those lots of blood, why would they take the one with a much higher risk of HIV, leaving them a donation down if you are one of the minority?
Yes, it's horrific discrimination, but unfounded? Far from it. It would be amazing if they could staff up enough to be able to take more donations, and if it gets to that point where there is free time on the collections, they should definitely get rid of that ruling. But for now, they need the blood, so they'd be idiots to take blood from gay people when it would reduce usable stocks. For anything else you'd have a point, but they need as much of the stuff as possible, it's for saving people's lives.
I'm going to donate blood this evening for the first time. EEK. I'm very scared of needles but i want to do it . This page has made me more confident
Good luck!
I have complete needle phobia and it was fine. The nurses were lovely. I mentioned to them that I hate needles so they were extra nice and calming. Also once the needle is in, you really can't feel it. Count to 10 and you wont even realise it's there.