We all have ambitions, both big and small. They keep us going when our resolve flags, and push us to be better than we are.
Today has been one of those days when I have achieved an ambition.
My 50th Blood donation.
I was happy just to have reached that, but the staff at the blood centre had to liven it up a bit. So there was a public announcement, presentation of a brooch (which I am now proudly wearing), and an engraved pen. Plus the applause and cheering, which I would preferred not to have :-[.
So now my target is 75, then hopefully the big 100 before I hang my fork up.
I now feel rather full of myself, just for today, and will be partying in the chatroom later, you are all invited ...
Thank you!
Derekthefox :D
Well done Derek, that's quite an achievement and you are right to be proud. It is one of the best gifts we can give to other people. Congratulations. :)
PS Isn't the pin a bit painful with no t-shirt on? ;D
Well done Derek - such a worthy ambition too. :-*
I keep meaning to do, but always seem to find some excuse not to. Bad Aqui. >:(
Me too Aqui. My OH does it though and he's got a pin :) I carry a green card for peeps with rare blood groups so I KNOW I should give blood but I honestly think I'd be ill everywhere :o
Well done Derek, :-*
It does give you a great feeling of satisfaction doesn't it?
I've got a way to go before I can catch you up but then I had a lot of years having and feeding children when I was banned from donating.
Wardy, I feel like being sick sometimes as well, I'm not good at actually giving the blood, can't watch, pass out, deep thin veins, low iron - you name it, I'm a victim of it, even my blood group is not popular.
I still keep going because of the good feeling it gives to me and the help it gives to others, as well as being a) an ideal excuse to get out of the washing up that night ("I'm a bit tired tonight dear, gave blood you know"!) and b) a couple of hours off work ;)
I also enjoy the banter with the blood people, who are always up for a laugh.
So I'll not hang mine up yet either.
RosieM
Well done Derek. Wear your badge with pride. It is a very worthy thing you are doing. :D busy_lizzie
Well done!
Giving blood is something I've meant to do for a while, but never quite do anything about. I work only 5 minutes away from the local hospital, so really should get up there and do it :)
Well done Derek! :D
Quote from: wardy on September 23, 2005, 12:29:43
Me too Aqui. My OH does it though and he's got a pin :) I carry a green card for peeps with rare blood groups so I KNOW I should give blood but I honestly think I'd be ill everywhere :o
Wardy, what is this all about? I've got a rare blood group, and I know I really should donate because of this, but despite having tried twice, I've never got around to actually doing it.
WELL DONE DEREK!!!!!!! YOU'RE BLOODY GREAT YOU ARE (was that pun too painful?)
There's so many of us that have our excuses (mine is a thyroid problem which means I have blood taken so often to check my count that there'd be none of the good stuff left if I donated as well...besides, it's bad blood and I don't think it can be used), so it's doubly good that you're out there.
M.
We are an awful bunch aren't we. My excuse used to be that I didn't weigh enough. Now, well, my only excuse is sheer laziness.
I hereby pledge that next time they are near where I work, I will go and donate. I promise.
Well done D! and in the middle of your training schedule too ... :o :o :o
Well done Derek! Â
How much do they take and do you get a cup of tea and biscuit?
I used to have a part-time job in a pub opposite a famous heart hospital - now closed. When they had a "bleeder" on the operating table they'd phone us to send us customers with the appropriate blood group on the grounds it was better to wake up with a hangover than not at all. We'd keep their pints behind the bar for them.
I can't give blood 'cos I've had malaria and passing that on would be worse than a hangover.
If I did give alchohol they might find some blood in it  :-[
I'm with Aqui, I'll support her when she goes to give blood  ;)
Gosh thank you all, I can't be bothered to mention all your names and then get a fat lip because I forgot someone ...
They take a 'unit' which I presume is perhaps half a litre(?), almost a pint - nearly an armful as Hancock once said ...
Coffee and biscuit afterwards, I dived in and nicked the orange club biccy, I felt entitled to today !
The training has taken a rest day today, but it will resume tomorrow, with 6miles, and the same on Sunday.
Please all have a hug from me ! And remember the party tonight ...
Derekthefox :D
Derek, congrats to you. I missed my last appointment due to hols. Must check when the next one is 'cos I love those cheese biscuits.
Well done, Derek. I only ever managed a 25 Badge cos a lot of the time my blood count (?) wasn't up to scratch and I couldn't donate.
Actually I have 2 badges - they gave me the first one "for effort" after going over 30 times to donate but not reaching the 25 actual donations and then later gave me a "real" 25 badge when I did reach that goal!! Can no longer give blood due to various medications but would have continued on - it is so little bother and so necessary....... the Blood Donor site give loads of info and encouragement:-
http://www.blood.co.uk/index.html
Well done Derek..
I gave blood for many years too and did manage to reach my fifty pints before my blood pressure went sky high. They won't take blood from me now I am on tablets for it.
Rosie...don't try that excuse...too tired indeed! :o
I always had the energy of ten men (well five then) after giving blood ...had an apetite to match too
Derek...the other one...I could say 'the better looking one' but having seen Derek the Foxes picture...I would be lying ;)
Well done Foxy. I would like to say thenks to anyone who donates as i have been on the receiving end of a few units. I can't gove but my family now do as a result of my scrape. (by the way you can keep the orange choccy biccy as chocolate and fruit should be illegal - yeuk !)
I should I should....but I am needle phobic! Pathetic weak woman, I cringe when a pencil puts pressure on the skin, so the thought of a needle breaking through....gag....gag....scream...faint.....! Cannot stand it. Told various midwives, labour pains are a piece of cake, just step away whilst holding that needle!
Well done Derek!
I am never comfortable with needles, but my daughter is diabetic, so she had 4 stabs every single day ... so Dad cant afford to be a wimp ...
Derekthefox :D
The best way to get over a needle phobia is to have something wrong with you. I fainted when I had blood taken at the age of 15 but after 12 months of having blood taken regularly it's so very no big deal...and nurses are so good at taking blood anyway I barely feel it. Still, tell that to my veins, they're still shy even if I'm not, they run and hide every time :)
M.
I think my needle fear was quashed when I had a vasectomy. The sight of the surgeon with a large syringe full of local anaesthetic (lygnocaine) was my worse nightmare !
And in case you are wondering where ... yes he did!
Please step over anyone who has just fainted ...
Derekthefox :D
Congratulations on your 50 Derek.
I'm only at a mere 27 so have a way to go, though I do keep my silver certificate on the wall at work, just to show myself that whatever else I do in life at least I've helped save that many lives.
I too have hide and seek veins; I've had them try BOTH arms once before, had the worst flow rate for 13 mins and record breaking the last 2 (and a full donation as a result) and the last attempt they remembered me from the weird flow and I finished in four mins.
I think the trick seems to be have loads and loads to drink - water has to go into the blood to reach the kidneys, so if you're sloshing, the veins are nice and fat, it's easier for them to be found and it's a quicker donation.
Perhaps they ought to give us the tea on the way in ;D ;D
(And I like the custard creams!)
moonbells
ps have you looked at the cartoon tablecloth? Hilarious!!! And there's a 50 Donor with a big banner!
Yes the tablecloth is so funny ! But they dont sell them ! That is a shame because I would definitely buy one ...
Derekthefox :D
At the time I was giving blood I always seemed to be in a rush.
I used to arrive at the centre all hot and out of breath.
WOW, the blood just couldn't wait to get out... I could overtake many of those with a slower blood flow and get the choccie biscuits. ;)
I have given blood, I have had blood tests and other injections galore..no problem ...I just have an aversion to watching that needle go in......oooooooer
Derek
I can't think many of us enjoy being a human pin cushion ... ;D
Derekthefox ;D
I hae to have regular blood tests and my veins are nonexistant. They usually take it from the back of my hand (leaving a huge bruise - major sympathy vote). When I walk into the clinic the phlebotomists draw straws as to who will do me.
Yes Baggy, you have my sympathy, I have had more than my share of medical attention in various forms and I am very grateful to be so healthy (and fit) now. :)
Derekthefox :D
Well done Derek 50 armfulls is some going.
I give fairly regularly, nothing like 50 yet though, thing is you never now when you might need it back :D
The only problem I have is that once I've started it just likes to keep going, I usually end up with a big bandage on my right elbow covering the the tiniest little hole.
I remember while in the Navy, and injections were being given it was only the eight in boxing team for our ship that actually passed out.
Vony