BLOOD DONOR DAY - Saturday October 22nd at Chateau Lambousa

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 17:24

On Saturday October 22nd, Chateau Lambousa is again hosting the formidable BRS ladies' blood drive for the TRNC Central Blood Bank.



The collection point will be indoors next to the Chateau Lambousa Market from 10:00am until 13:00pm.



If you can (and almost everyone can - very few disqualifications) please give a unit and help to save lives. Well over 100 units were generously donated by locals and expats of wide variety last Autumn and it would be great if we were to better that.

Krin52


Joined: 25/08/2008
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 19:41

Back to the top for this very worthy event!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 21:36

A few years ago I thought this a wonderful idea and slated on this forum the BRS for not doing more days. A wee bit older and wiser now can see the downfalls!



How many times on this forum have there been calls for blood in an emergency situation, especially with the more rare blood groups. Only to find that people have given on blood donors days and then can't give in an emergency therefore someones life is at risk.



Only my thoughts and opinions on this, apologies if it upsets anyone.



Chris



p.s. Not trying to put anyone off the idea but if you have a rare blood group might be an idea to wait until needed.

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 22:56

Chris,



Sorry if this offends but that's a really self-defeating bit of logic there.



The reason the call goes out for blood in an emergency situation is precisely because the blood-bank (supplied by the donor-days) does not have the requisite types in stock.



However, by having stocks of blood emergency services and health-professionals can more immediately treat grave and life-threatening situations - not having to wait whilst an ad-hoc, panicky call goes out. Too, an urgent call for immediate supply will be heard by far fewer potential donors than a sustained drive for donation.



This is pretty much the entire raison d'etre for blood-banks the world over and the reason why most civilized countries actively support and promote such.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
09/10/2011 23:43

With respect Gordon blood has a limited shelf life, so how much gets wasted?? I don't know the answer to that.



Would it not be better having the rarer types of blood on standby for emergencies rather than take them on blood donor days!



As I said i slated the BRS for doing this only once a year when we first moved here. i know that Prue and co. put a lot of work into this, but based on the phone calls i get for blood in emergencies I have now started to rethink what I originally thought.



For example there are 10 B+ people on the island and they all give on the day. 8 weeks down the line someone needs B+ , where are they going to get it as you need at least 12 weeks between donations if that makes sense.



I am not knocking you Gordon or the BRS just stating what I believe.



Chris

Jwheeler&Sons


Joined: 10/06/2008
Posts: 141

Message Posted:
10/10/2011 01:54

Chistine



I have spoken to the Crew at BA, they have a campaign to deliver organs,

Having a AB with Thalasemic Trace- shall I send a pint?

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
10/10/2011 10:06

Christine,



To take your points in order:



1. There is absolutely no wastage whatsoever. The blood-bank is always short of supplies.

2. Please refer to my earlier response. Better to have stocks than a panicked emergency call.

3. As is well-known by the organizers and can be readily ascertained from them, carriers of rare blood-types are instructed NOT to donate at blood-drives. They are on the data-base (which I believe you helped to compile) and referred to as "walking" blood-donors; that is, persons whom are contacted in an emergency.



Further, the blood-bank annually supplies over 5000 units to thallessaemic patients. Without those donations what would happen to them?



Another point: all the hospitals, including Cyprus Life / Medikent are in constant demand for blood and make requests for such from the blood-bank and the BRS organisation. They also fully support the organised blood-drives. Have you addressed your beliefs to these bodies?

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
10/10/2011 10:18

I thought that those with rare blood groups were placed on a seperate list to be contacted in case of emergency.

My wife, who is AB regis negitive was told that she was a ' walking doner ' and told that she should only give when called.

She can not give now due to her age and having had a by-pass operation.

mamachina


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 730

Message Posted:
10/10/2011 13:45

Rersponse from Chairman, BRS



As sponsors of Blood Donor Days which have been held throughout the TRNC for the past 13 years, we at the BRS were surprised by Christine Offord questioning the need for such days and that donors should only be called in emergencies.

The blood donor programme in the TRNC has proved to be an outstanding success and has saved the lives of many people by ensuring that the supplies of blood are available. This is in line with the World Blood Bank and we are able to quote from recent documentation published by that body as follows:



"World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on 14th June every year. It is co-ordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFC), the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) and the International Federation of Blood Donor Organisations (IFODS). Contd

mamachina


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 730

Message Posted:
10/10/2011 13:48

continuation-



"These partners join together in a global event to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and the importance of regular voluntary blood donation.

In 2011, the theme for World Blood Donor Day is "More Blood More Life". This theme reinforces the urgent need for more people all over the world to become life savers by volunteering to give blood regularly."

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
11/10/2011 09:49

Post reminder for this very important donor-day.



Having not-so-rare (read common-as-muck) blood I can and will be donating.



So if anyone fancies watching me pale-up and faint October 22nd's your day!

Agnes


Joined: 11/04/2009
Posts: 81

Message Posted:
11/10/2011 12:14

Did not TRNC Healthcare try to run a blood donors list in cooperation with Dutch Crusader last year thus making comments above contradictory.

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
11/10/2011 12:45

People with rare blood groups are usually asked to be "walking donors" so that they can be called upon in emergencies only. The majority of the blood donor day donors are O+ or A+.



As over 9000 units are required each year for Thalassimia patients alone, no blood is wasted.



One of the biggest problems we have had regarding getting donors in an emergency has been with the NE University hospital, where their parameters are so tight, virtually everyone is turned away - at least 75% have travelled to Lefkosa and then told they cannot donate, the latest "reason" from the NEU is that the potential donor had had an alcoholic drink in the past 24 hours!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
11/10/2011 13:35

Ok apologies to all I have upset it was not my intention! I was not aware until now that there were 'walking donors'. In the past I have telephoned people with rare blood groups and been told that they had given blood on donor days.

The walking donors is a great thing and it puts it all in perspective now.



Message 12 Yes DC and I did have a blood donor list 2 years ago which we could not maintain as the cost of phone calls all went to Hans. So Hans handed the list to the BRS.



Chris

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
11/10/2011 23:31

don't let this get lost! back to the top so no one misses it.

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 00:01

No worries Chris,



Glad that your concerns have been addressed - preemptively as it happens!

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 00:12

We were here for about 6 months and went to the DVD shop one day............I was asked if I was Neg O,Yes I said thinking what a very strange thing to be asked in a DVD shop I still smile to this day..





Only in North Cyprus lol. Oh I gave them what they needed, so please if I am ever in need call on Daisy Dukes As the song goes...'' That's what friends are for ''





Spider,X

Ailletoo


Joined: 24/01/2009
Posts: 1003

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 08:55

Back to the top please.

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
14/10/2011 09:13

Back to the top for Friday's reminder...

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
14/10/2011 10:47

Good cause so up it goes.

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
15/10/2011 08:43

Reminder that this is a week today.

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
15/10/2011 22:18

How many willing 'pin cushions' for nextSaturday. I will try to be one if I can - what about the rest of you.

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 09:35

I'm another - that makes two from Cy44.

citychick


Joined: 27/09/2008
Posts: 200

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 09:42

hi i am O neg so is it worth me coming or should i just give you my details for emergency's i am willing to do either or both. i have never given blood before so not sure what to do.



Citychick

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 10:26

Do come along.



If you're one of the rare types they won't take your blood but may wish to take your details to add to their database.

citychick


Joined: 27/09/2008
Posts: 200

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 10:32

ok thanks will come along.



Citychick

Schoie



Joined: 26/12/2008
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 22:37

Is there an age limit to give blood thanks

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 22:53

Not really, Schoie. I think they like to see you are fit and well and can spare a pint without damaging yoursef. Best ting to dois go along and see what they say.

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 08:43

More pledges please.



An immensely important day for donations.

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 08:48

Three days to go.



Donations are being collected indoors at the Chateau Lambousa from 10:00 am Saturday morning.

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 12:13

We are always looking for the rarer blood groups to add to our database, so please come along or you can email me your details and I will add you to the datasbase: clairemorley@hotmail.com

There isn't an age limit, as long as you're feeling fit and healthy on the day.

Thanks, hope to see lots of you there on Saturday

Schoie



Joined: 26/12/2008
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 21:48

What are the rare bllod groups please

Schoie



Joined: 26/12/2008
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 22:03

Reason for asking I am B+ would that be a rare one?

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
20/10/2011 09:02

Schoie

The two most common blood groups are O+ and A+

The groups that we have least donors on the database are B- AB+ and AB-

While B+, O- and A- aren't the most rare, we would welcome more donors. So please come along on Saturday r if you are nearer Girne, come to the donor day there at the hospital on Novembr12.

Thanks

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
21/10/2011 08:49

Blood Donor Day at Chateau Lambousa starts tomorrow Saturday 22nd October at 10:00am.



If you can give please do so.

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
22/10/2011 00:38

Hope it was successsful. /Sorry I never made it. I would have come to help save a life, but drs orders said I mustn't this time. so hope lots of other people went to make up for my not being able to keep my word.

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
22/10/2011 11:19

It seems to me that a lot of people are having a pop at Nurseawful these days.



Ask the many people she has helped their opinion of her, I promise you it would be pretty high.



She and DC started off the best blood data base this side of the island ever had, and them passed it on to the BRS.



If every village had someone like Chris, aftercare here would come on leaps and bounds.

Castlemilk


Joined: 12/03/2009
Posts: 174

Message Posted:
22/10/2011 21:47

What a well organised morning it was! Very efficient..making it very easy and quick to give a donation..thank you to all concerned .

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
22/10/2011 22:04

Sounds good 'castlemilk; any idea as to whether they reached their aim. of course, anything is good, but I think last time was around the 100 mark.

And to message 37, 'hear, hear'. Great lady our Chris!