Fully agree with this thread. I've been giving blood regularly since I was 18 and always encourage others to do the same. (In my B&W world it's simple - if you'd accept it, you should give it. Though I accept there are various situations where people can't. I mean, you should attempt to donate.)
It often concerns me that the place is so empty if I go to the Moorfields one. They have noticeable dips in the summer and around Xmas apparently coz people are away or busy.
They go around to venues near work sites so I usually give when they come to Bootle Town Hall - we're allowed time off work to go over too!
Sometimes work colleagues come with me - usually women more than men
I'd encourage everyone to go along when they get the chance. It doesn't hurt - in fact less now than it used to! In our nanny state now they even numb your arm before putting the needle in if you want!
It only takes about half and hour - and you get free a drink and biscuits!
I actually think the roving donation sites are better - the staff are usually dead friendly and the nurses are more used to putting the needles in.
I had a meeting elsewhere the last time they were in Bootle so had to then go into Moorfields on my afternoon off a few days later (or I would have been out of sync with the Bootle visits). The doctor missed my vein, even though it was bloody obvious (no pun intended). The nurse said they would therefore have to leave it until next time. No way - I had taken time off and paid my bus fare, they were taking blood... !
"I've got two arms, use the other one!" Another nurse said she'd be happy to do it, and did a much better job than the doctor. (She has been there for years and is very experienced. However, I have only had a problem twice - both times with her.)
It was fine then. I'm allergic to plaster though so have to have bandages on my arms afterwards - must have looked a sight with them both bandaged!
I rewarded myself with a chocolate muffin for my tea!
