annqldau

Hubby who is B neg a rarish blood group, has given blood in the UK for years without problems. Went to Aus donor van today and was turned away as they can't take blood off him because he lived in Uk for more than 6 months during the CJD era.

Apparantly new test coming out this year sometime then they may reconsider. Suprised they didn't test for that at medicals as they tested for everything else under the cold grey UK sun.

Pollyana

Its been discussed a few times, its anyone sending time in the Uk since about 1981 and they won't touch your blood. Personally I'd take the risk of CJD if having a transfusion was going to save my life, but you're not given the option of that.

hilary6

I had a transfusion last year and was a bit worried at the time, but if I hadnt had it god knows what would have happened
Im certainly no madder than I was before

NickyP

I have B neg blood as well we need to set up our own list so that if we need blood we can get the hospital to call as we are all obviously infected anyway .
My Mom is the same and can't give blood in the USA for the same reasons but then everyone knows that we are both mad cows
Nicky

renth

Being a Pom I can't give blood either but, interestingly, I CAN give bone marrow.

232Bar

I am the hubby in question and I was also on the Anthony Nolan register in the UK - through to the 2nd stage at one point!! :scared: :scared:

Woman on the donor van was a pom as well and told me that was out as well for the same reason...is she right or wrong?? - you'd think they'd all at least be on the same sheet wouldn't you?

Pollyana

The same issue doesn't seem to apply to organ donations - see further down this thread -

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321628

232Bar

Maybe she was just making it up as she knows how much I can drink LOL

Pollyana

I think the only place my body is good for is a research lab sponsored by the big brewers, Cascade, Stella, Boddingtons, Morlands, Crestas......

hilary6

Would I be able to donate bone marrow, or is it just blood thats the problem after a transfusion

menace

B neg is not that rare but you are right about us POMS being the great unwashed when it comes to giving blood.

I was a regular donor in the UK but was turned away here. Aussies loss I suppose.

NickyP

My Mom nearly died because they couldn't get the blood to her for a transfusion as she is B neg and there wasn't any locally. However I know loads of people that are B Neg so I am making my own list that they can call in case I ever have the same problem .
Nicky

menace

Ok, add me to the B neg list.

It is actually tattooed on my arm as a legacy of my time in the forces.

skywalker

A friend of mine has 0 negative, is it rare, too? I think so...

Pomster

I find this wierd as Red Cross are always making appeals 'because of a blood shortage'...if they took all this Pommie blood they would be OK.

It is even more amusing as I have been a veggie for ever, so I am only likely to be infected with CJD through consuming too many antibiotics (which are coated in beef extract for correction digestion)