Thread: Giving Blood..

Originally Posted by garrycol

I used to regularly give blood but then I went and lived in England for a year and was still able to give blood for a while after I got back but then was told I could not - apparently anyone who was in the UK for a little while might have been exposed to Mad Cow disease (but I believe humans cannot catch it) so cannot give blood.

I lived for 12 months in the UK 30 years ago but still I am not allowed to give blood. I appreciate the integrity of the blood supply needs to be maintained but I don't believe Mad Cow disease is actually an issue for humans or the blood supply.

Garry

In Britain a great number of people have died from thehuman form of Bovine Spongiform Encelopathy--Mad Cow Disease. And as it takes humans a few years to show the symptoms. That is the Blood bank is just being Cautious, not wanting to infect us, as this disease can be passed in blood-- we humans do get it from Eating the blood in beef from infected cows. Cooking will not destroy the causative agent, a Prion in the Cows Blood. You do need the heat of a Oxy-Actalyne torch to kill a Prion, and that will burn that meat to Charcoal. And every bit of beef you eat does contain blood-- unless you eat Kosher or Halel.
If you do doubt this put the next steak you have under the tap and squeze it and do see the blood come out.



I can no longer donate as I am positive for Hepetitus B core antibody, that is I was exposed to Hepatitus B but never Caught it, and my immune systen fought the disease off, so I am no longer permitted to give blood.

However, I am negative for every other test that does indicate that I have had Hepititus B. So the Blood bank told me that my Hep B core Antibody is almost certainly a false Positive, but untill they are sure they cannot use my blood.

I do think Donating blood is worth-while and do encourage every one, who is acceptable to the Blood bank to do this, as you can be saving lives.

As a pathology technician I learnt of patients who are alive becaiuse of blood transfusions, who would be dead if they did not get a transfusion.

For example on another theread in the Soapbox, I did mention I have a Phoytograph of a blood smear, taken through the microscope of a six year old Boy who had inherited B-Thalessemia from one parent, and Sickle Cell Anemia from the other parent. This child will be dead if he does not get a blood Transfusion every 3 months. So giving blood could save a Childs life.

So do please give blood.

Originally Posted by digger

Chuck Norris is a regular donator of blood to the Red Cross...... Just never his own...

When Chuck Norris donates blood, he declines the syringe and instead requests a handgun and a bucket.