Homo economicus’ Weblog

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Well after giving blood to be honest we were feeling it. Owen (Hyrax) most of all – he was white as a sheet coming out and had to lie down, Joe needed sugar and I had a bruise when the needle went in which stopped me giving a pint – just enough for medical tests.

Thanks to Owen and Joe for coming up all this way to give blood. Hope those that pledged do so too (most have) and that the videos inspire you to do so. All agreed it was worth it. Not just for the tea and biscuits at the end.

Give blood

One question asked prior to giving blood was “Has anyone told you not to give blood?” – which brought a smile to my face as that was one of the things that had brough me to the blood donor centre. The idea that the blood in my body was so sacred that it belonged to a god that would not want me to use it to help others is one that I fully rebuke.

Now Mat has mentioned that in Part 3 it sounds like I may not have been telling the truth on the form. Far from it – but my point there was that if I had been gay I would not have been able to give blood. There was no question asking if I had not used condoms in heterosexual intercourse. But there was whether I had or had not used protection with sex with another man.

It has been raised a few times in the thread on rd.net together with the fact that I could not give blood in the USA because of fears over CJD (which I was asked about here in the UK if any relatives affected by). 

It does seem like something based not so much on science but on fear and prejudice.

Anyway we are all feeling good apart from a little more lethargic than normal. A small price to pay for helping your neighbour.

For more including how you can give blood for the same reasons check out:

http://thebloodchallenge.wordpress.com/