Credible activity giving blood, indeed generous so blood donors might be rather upset following a revelation on BBC radio 4 this morning by Vince Cable our aged, gaga
Business Secretary. Asked whether the sale of the ‘Plasma Service’ to a private company was good policy since the public gave their blood free of charge, Cable didn’t
seem to see fault with the idea. Give your blood free of charge for a multi national company, probably not even British to make £millions, you couldn’t make it up
It’s a US company and yes they pay for blood in the good 'ol US of A! 
Used to be, 
but now my blood is compromised, like probably 50% of this forum! 
type 2 diabetic 
This is separate from our own blood donation service, and was bought only a couple of years ago to secure blood supplies in this country by buying blood from abroad. So not as clear cut as some in the media like to make out is it? Scaremongering at its best
Fatboy slimslow:
Used to be,
The UK Blood Services Standing Advisory Committee on Care and Selection of Donors has concluded that blood donation is safe for people with diabetes who manage their condition by taking tablets or non-insulin injections and have no complications or other underlying medical conditions.
It is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (2004) not to accept donors who are treated with insulin, or who have received a transplant of human tissue.
To ensure that giving blood is safe, donors are required to fill in a healthcheck questionnaire and talk to a trained member of staff of NHS Blood and Transplant before giving blood.
Ex…Not allowed now due to large doses of drugs for heart condition.
But it a very worthwhile thing to do !
3 wheeler:
Ex…Not allowed now due to large doses of drugs for heart condition.But it a very worthwhile thing to do !
^^^ This but drugs for a different reason
I’m not, went with my gf once, as she’s a regular, but I was declined, as I drove a truck for a living! too fat and can’t find the veins that is might try again soon as I’m 20kg lighter now after quitting driving
I have given more than 50 pints and have my gold badge.I hope that commerce can stay out of it.
I donate Platelets, can be done every 4 weeks rather than the 12 week intervals for whole blood. You get a much better selection of biscuits too.
Derf:
I donate Platelets, can be done every 4 weeks rather than the 12 week intervals for whole blood. You get a much better selection of biscuits too.
You only get biscuits ? I’m a platelet donor as well and i get sandwiches and crisps as well as biscuits, if i go early morning i get bacon or sausage in my buttie. 
graybo:
Derf:
I donate Platelets, can be done every 4 weeks rather than the 12 week intervals for whole blood. You get a much better selection of biscuits too.You only get biscuits ? I’m a platelet donor as well and i get sandwiches and crisps as well as biscuits, if i go early morning i get bacon or sausage in my buttie.
How is your cholesterol? 
I am going to sign up to be a blood donor, as I have just come off some tablets that previously prevented it. I will treat as a another free health check
I also got a couple of dates with one of the nurses
Used to be but not allowed to give blood now.
I’m a rare blood type, AB- & used to give regularly in the 80’s.
All that stopped dead when a mates GF, who was working in the local hospital blood bank, told us all about how most of it was chucked away as surplus & quite a lot was sold to the good ole’ USA.
It might be different nowadays, but after also learning that my organs could be used by doctors earning horrendous amounts of money performing private op’s, I’ve took myself off the donor list as well.
Chas:
It might be different nowadays, but after also learning that my organs could be used by doctors earning horrendous amounts of money performing private op’s, I’ve took myself off the donor list as well.
I’m with you there. Well done. Wouldn’t want an overpaid doctor saving a life now would we.
Nice to see you’ve based your life and death decisions on such solid factual evidence.
Whatever happened to “Do not operate machinery” after giving enough to leave you feeling light-headed for days? You need more than a cup of tea and a biscuit if you’ve been pulled by Vosa after all, and being half asleep at the wheel IS as bad in safety terms as being drunk or on drugs. I think it’s better for truckers to carry an organ donor card rather than be a blood donor, personally.
I have in the past and will be eligible to again next month as you cant give blood for a year after having a tattoo done.
You are still advised not to work after donating, they ask me every time what I’m doing after. They used to come to ASDA Washington and a couple of lazy types used to try & donate before they got a job, it meant they could sit in the canteen all shift.
I give blood have done since I was 18 ish I’ve almost got my silver award,wahoooooo. I don’t really care where it ends up, I’m o- and know my blood can be used for anyone so if it helps one person in the uk, USA, Africa or anywhere then for the sake off laying down on a bed for 10 minutes its a worth while course in my opinion. It’s one off the few things we can do now to help other people without having to sign up with our bank details or put money in a box.