That old chestnut again..............Blood!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 12:00

For all you newbies out there just to let you know we have a Blood Donor database which is used not only in accident emergencies but also if someone goes into hospital for an operation. As here you have to supply your own blood. Now not everyone has a wide circle of friends on this island, or they may just be here on holiday, so it is often difficult for them to find the donors.



All details are kept strictly confidential and held on a Data base. The only people who have access to the information are myself and Hans (Dutch Crusader). Hans built and runs the data base in fact he does most of the work!



Please send the following details to northcyprusblooddonors@gmail.com



Name

Blood Group

Telephone Number

Any medication you are taking

Area you live

Do you have transport.





Thanks in advance for helping to save a life or indeed many lives! Hopefully not but maybe one day it could be YOUR life.



Chris

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 13:13

Chris, is their an age limit for giving blood? I know there was one in England.

biglugs


Joined: 02/10/2008
Posts: 157

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 13:43

im nearly 54 and i gave blood on Monday,a lady needed it for an operation

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 13:48

message 2,



Not a hundred percent sure but think they will take it up to 70years if in good health.



Chris

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 16:23

I would give blood, but have no idea what blood type I am. I did ask my doctor in England, but there was nothing on my records, even after an operation or two, no one seemed to know my blood type. Do I have to go to Lefkosia to give blood or can you do it in Girne., also not available tomorrow. The last couple of times when I have seen a blood donor day it has been on a Saturday morning when I am at the market, so can't go.

Stella

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 16:44

Stella,



Unfortunately you do have to go to Lefkosa but the good news is you can go any day Monday to Friday. It is a good idea to know your own blood group and that of your partner as it always saves time in an emergency!



Chris

Rupert


Joined: 29/01/2009
Posts: 21

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 17:13

My wifes group is Rh O neg and according to the card she carries can be used for transfusions to Rh O+ she has tried ringing the number on Boglefan mail but not getting any reply ( ps she is 63 but dn't tell her I told you)

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 18:03

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone knows - when you have to go to the hospital for your blood test for work or residency permit, would they not have kept a record of your blood group. I haven't a clue what mine is, though was told years ago it was one of the rare groups (don't know if it was a wind up!) but if there's a way to give the hospital a call to find out, that'd save a trip???

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 18:15

Good point Pippie as they took my blood for my orignal residency permit. Might be worth a visit to the clinic to see if they kept a record of it.

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 20:09

Age? I was told that for the BRS, answer the questions, have a blood pressure check and if all is well, then Dracula moves in! It is not age but health, and whether uyou are O.K. to drive home with one leg empty of blood! No probs.

Not sure what the age of their oldest is, but I would think seeing some of the folk there that I know - probably way into the 70's. After all, 70 is the new 50!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
18/03/2010 20:13

RE msg 10, MarieB: You talk too much about age..! Don't give away your best kept secret!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
20/03/2010 10:02

Back to the top please



5 new donors yesterday morning.



Let's keep it going up.

crofter


Joined: 16/12/2008
Posts: 1035

Message Posted:
20/03/2010 13:45

Having read the article in todays Cyprus Today re a poor response to give blood urgently. Could the poor response be due to a lot of people not knowing their blood group. My husband and I don't know what ours is. If we all knew what type we were then I feel sure that there would be a more positive response especially when the blood is needed very quickly.

susief


Joined: 06/11/2008
Posts: 529

Message Posted:
20/03/2010 14:15

Just a thought, but if we're all turning out to the BRS donor days and then can't donate again in the following 6 weeks or however long it is, what happens if there is an urgent request for blood? Wouldn't it be better of the BRS to hold the donor days more frequently to stagger the donors attending so that if an urgent request came through, there's more people who will be able to donate? Hope that makes sense!

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
20/03/2010 17:40

Hans wakes me from my slumbers with a text I make contact and away I go to Lefkosa Hospital

I am there providing anti biotic drug and alcohol laden blood and they tuned me down because of the

antibiotics !!

seriously it does not take that long to do give a pint or what ever the metric measure is

back to the top its important

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
20/03/2010 21:50

Thanks Hans, but I am not giving my age away, merely pointing out what I know! Everyone knows I am just a Recycled Teenager, but I do get concerned for the 'old people' who don't know answers to questions.



Seriously, Wanderer has a point - I forgot to mention. If you are on an unacceptable medication you are turned down.



And as to BRS, I was at The Colony this morning where the staff gave blood , organised by BRS but for members of the group, and I was told that BRS is trying to aim for a session every month. Three in Kyrenia, two in Yeni Erenkoy, private companies maybe, and nothing in July/August cos 'It's too darned hot'. So if you are on BRS list you will have plenty of chances to give during the year.



Being on two lists might prove complicated. I know BRS have a list of 500 donors who can be called on as and when necessary, but if one is not on their list then it is good that they could help through another.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
21/03/2010 07:05

Crofter,

The poor response was not due to people not knowing their blood group as Hans sent out 14 texts to which only 4 replied.!!



As susief quite rightly pointed out maybe some of the 14 gave blood on the BRS day making them illegible to give now.



Re your blood group it is very simple to find out. Just go to Lefkosa Hospital any day (make sure you have breakfast first) ask to donate a unit of blood and they will let you know your blood group. It is the first building on the right as you go through the gates at Lefkosa state hospital.



And lastly and this is the last time I am going to bring this up. There are people who have said they will donate but only if it has nothing to do with the BRS. I do not ask nor know their reasons for this but that is the way it stands.



Again thank you for all the positive feedback I have received and for any negative as I know we can turn this to a positive.!



Chris

nostradamus


Joined: 15/04/2008
Posts: 557

Message Posted:
21/03/2010 07:37

I think you need to give a definitive answer to the age issue here as so many expats are retired. I offered blood some time ago when a friend was having an operation but was turned down for being over 60. Is this still the case or has anything changed?

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
21/03/2010 09:36

Nostradamus they will take blood up to the age of 70years as long as you are in good health. But as you probably know they change the rules here every day to suit themselves.



Chris

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
21/03/2010 09:43

RE msg 17, Nurse: (...) There are people who have said they will donate but only if it has nothing to do with the BRS. I do not ask nor know their reasons for this but that is the way it stands. (...)

=> Nurse, I find this a very sorry state of affairs. What's next? Only donate when it has nothing to do with Chinese, Afro-Americans, Scots, Danes or Dutch..?! If there is one thing where we all should forget any animosity it's blood donation. Opos blood is Opos blood. Please, all expats, behave like human beings.

=> Secondly. I'm a member of the BRS and that's why I urge all involved in the blood donation 'business': talk with and to each other and streamline all initiatives - for the benefit of all who need or want to give blood. I think all 'problems' can be solved in an one hour meeting. Is it that difficult for the (mainly) British expats to cooperate with fellow-Brits (and other expats)..?!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
21/03/2010 09:48

DC,



I also find it strange but who am I to ask why people in life have their reasons for things, if they want to tell me t then fine, if not I won't ask as it is their business.



Nobody appears to have a problem with whom the blood goes to by the way! So good news there.



Chris