[Kyle]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

I have to be fair seen some people faint when giving blood, they are okay though and I have seen them go back again and again.
Understandable if you feel that way Kyle, no point in deliberately having to suffer any stress.

I agree to Marc as to being a donor, I am and all my family know that I would want to donate organs if such a time to be able to came about.

Good on them for doing it, they are greater people than I. I know it's something I wouldn't put myself through voluntarily.

I suppose there are other bodily fluids I could donate

[Kizzy]

This puts me off donating blood..

An inquiry is being launched to check the safety of donor blood amid fears of infection from the human form of "mad cow disease".

The Commons Science and Technology Committee called for the inquiry after studies revealed one in every 2,000 Britons could be carrying variant CJD.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25182760

[Marc]

I think everybody should also be an automatic organ donor and should have to opt out if they want to.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Marc

I think everybody should also be an automatic organ donor and should have to opt out if they want to.

I totally agree. Especially donating blood, it's amazing how much is needed.

I'm on the bone marrow/stem cell register with the Anthony Nolan organisation and have been for a while. Anyone interested can see if they're suitable (and aged 18-30): http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-y...our-stem-cells

[daniel-lewis-1985]

Originally Posted by Livia

I totally agree. Especially donating blood, it's amazing how much is needed.

I'm on the bone marrow/stem cell register with the Anthony Nolan organisation and have been for a while. Anyone interested can see if they're suitable (and aged 18-30): http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-y...our-stem-cells

Well us gays aren't allowed to donate blood unless we have been celibate for 12 months.

I tried donating blood back in 2006 but was told it was a lifetime ban for any homosexual, that's changed now but still 1 year without any sexual contact?

I don't understand why a healthy gay man who has regular check ups and a full bill of health wouldn't be allowed to help people when there's such a shortage of people who are willing to donate.

Apparently we are walking STD's.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by daniel-lewis-1985

Well us gays aren't allowed to donate blood unless we have been celibate for 12 months.

I tried donating blood back in 2006 but was told it was a lifetime ban for any homosexual, that's changed now but still 1 year without any sexual contact?

I don't understand why a healthy gay man who has regular check ups and a full bill of health wouldn't be allowed to help people when there's such a shortage of people who are willing to donate.

Apparently we are walking STD's.

I knew this... my friend tried to become a blood donor and couldn't because he's gay. He's in a long-term relationship and far less promiscuous than a lot of my hetero friends, and it's not like heterosexuals are immune from STDs. I find it difficult to understand.

[daniel-lewis-1985]

Originally Posted by Livia

I knew this... my friend tried to become a blood donor and couldn't because he's gay. He's in a long-term relationship and far less promiscuous than a lot of my hetero friends, and it's not like heterosexuals are immune from STDs. I find it difficult to understand.

I know, I was so embarrassed, I worked in a call centre and was openly gay, everyone went to give blood in turn of what teams they were on and a team leader pulled me aside and said I couldn't give blood because I was gay.

Thinking back I should have ****ing sued.

For many, people still see gay people as a health risk.

Gay to many still means AIDS.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by daniel-lewis-1985

Well us gays aren't allowed to donate blood unless we have been celibate for 12 months.

I tried donating blood back in 2006 but was told it was a lifetime ban for any homosexual, that's changed now but still 1 year without any sexual contact?

I don't understand why a healthy gay man who has regular check ups and a full bill of health wouldn't be allowed to help people when there's such a shortage of people who are willing to donate.

Apparently we are walking STD's.

Thats ****ing ridiculous. Ignoring the blatant stereotyping of the 'gay lifestyle' all blood is tested anyway. I know this as they had a hissy fit because I had had a tattoo 6 months before giving blood..but then ended up letting me do it anyway because they said it all gets screened

[Marc]

Originally Posted by daniel-lewis-1985

Well us gays aren't allowed to donate blood unless we have been celibate for 12 months.

I tried donating blood back in 2006 but was told it was a lifetime ban for any homosexual, that's changed now but still 1 year without any sexual contact?

I don't understand why a healthy gay man who has regular check ups and a full bill of health wouldn't be allowed to help people when there's such a shortage of people who are willing to donate.

Apparently we are walking STD's.

Well they screen all blood so I say you just lie and give blood. If they have any problems with your blood they'll not use it

[Jake.]

I'd probably do it for all of you, yeah

[AnnieK]

If it didn't impact on my life and health...then I would definitely do it.

[Natalie.]

A stranger did it for someone in my family so yeah I think I would

[Raph]

Yeah I definitely would but only for a few people. I currently live in the United States so unless it was someone I was super close to it'd be kind of tricky to fly all the way over

[Shaun]

no

bye

[Glenn.]

I never realised you couldn't donate blood if you were gay. I've just read up on it and I find it completely ludicrous.

[Kizzy]

What does this mean you are charged to donate or be donated to?

'Our main source of income is the fees we charge for donors for patients both in the UK and overseas. We are experts in tissue-typing and one of the leading authorities on stem cell transplantation, so we also offer molecular analysis for medical professionals.'

http://www.anthonynolan.org/about-us....NiZEL6fo.dpuf

[Vanessa]

Of course i would.

[Kizzy]

†
What do these stats mean? that 82% of all gay men have HIV?....

†% of total men who have sex with men living with HIV in the UK in 2012

†Diagnosed

†82%

†Undiagnosed

†18%

†

†100%
- See more at: http://www.nat.org.uk/HIV-Facts/Stat....7O9trOhr.dpuf

http://www.nat.org.uk/HIV-Facts/Stat...-with-men.aspx

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

†
What do these stats mean? that 82% of all gay men have HIV?....

†% of total men who have sex with men living with HIV in the UK in 2012

†Diagnosed

†82%

†Undiagnosed

†18%

†

†100%
- See more at: http://www.nat.org.uk/HIV-Facts/Stat....7O9trOhr.dpuf

http://www.nat.org.uk/HIV-Facts/Stat...-with-men.aspx

There's no way to know how many gay men there are. The vast majority of gay men are not out, so no one knows how many gay men there are.

and there's no way to know how many HIV infected people there are

so how the hell could anyone figure out how many HIV+ gay men there are?

makes no sense

[Vicky.]

82% of men with HIV know they have it...

Though quite how they could get that figure is beyond me...how do they know 18% of infected people do not know about it

[Crimson Dynamo]

I have an organ donor card but i should probably write on it. "Take what you want but I would not bother with the liver as its probably *********"

[lostalex]

I wouldn't even donate my fingernail clippings to anyone on this forum. (no offense)