Ban on blood doning for UK dwellers
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2017
Location: Dartmouth NS and Surrey UK
Posts: 36


When we were in the UK, we gave blood as often as possible. We've had family members requiring blood products over the years so understand how important it is to have supplies available.
When we came to Canada, we assumed that we'd be able to give blood here.
We were quite shocked that we are unable to give blood because we have lived in the UK, something about the mad cows scandal.
I see that the government is being pressured to change the ban on gay men giving blood, perhaps they should reconsider the ban on UK dwellers too?
Who can I write to? Doctor Tam is a previous UK citizen too, you;d have thought she'd have looked into it already?
When we came to Canada, we assumed that we'd be able to give blood here.
We were quite shocked that we are unable to give blood because we have lived in the UK, something about the mad cows scandal.
I see that the government is being pressured to change the ban on gay men giving blood, perhaps they should reconsider the ban on UK dwellers too?
Who can I write to? Doctor Tam is a previous UK citizen too, you;d have thought she'd have looked into it already?
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace










Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 18,431












Didn't take long for you to become assimilated
Who can I write to.
Don't worry I have been here for just over 32 years and unable to donate.

Don't worry I have been here for just over 32 years and unable to donate.
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2017
Location: Dartmouth NS and Surrey UK
Posts: 36


I wish to write a strongly worded letter in the style of The Times letters to the editor.
My pseudonym will be as follows:
Angry Brit, the Boonies, Canada.
My pseudonym will be as follows:
Angry Brit, the Boonies, Canada.
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace










Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 18,431












If you feel that strong about it start a movement and here's a novel idea call it UK Blood Matters or something catchy like that.
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace










Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 18,431












https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-e...donating-blood
Donors must wait three months after having a body piercing due to the increased risk of infections associated with piercings.
#8
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Joined: Oct 2010
Location: A Briton, married to a Canadian, now in Fredericton.
Posts: 4,851












I was/am able to give blood in Canada as I didn't live in the UK during the years in question. I gave blood for five years here and then stopped. TBH it was never a pleasant experience, which it has been in a number of other countries I've lived in. I had my history printed for them so that they could see where and when I had been, during what periods, but the way that they asked the questions was rude to a degree that I felt quite uncalled for. It is of course necessary that they ask for full information, but I don't need to feel like a leper just because I haven't lived my whole life in New Brunswick. When I stopped two years ago, there was an investigation - I had had a particularly nasty woman who treated me like dirt and I got up and walked out. I did get an apology and they told me she remembered me, but was having a bad day...which I fully accept..we all do! I just decided that I really didn't need to feel anxious about doing something which anywhere else would make you feel like you were doing something for your community.
#9

I donated blood when we first moved to the US in 1996...until I received a letter saying they could no longer get accept my blood due to Mad Cow Disease. I always found it to be a worthwhile experience.
#11
#13

It was the same for me in Canada. I gave blood for a few years and then they wouldn't take it anymore.
#14
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Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2017
Location: Dartmouth NS and Surrey UK
Posts: 36


I still get emails from blood.co.uk asking me to give blood. I will just have to donate when I am back in the UK, hopefully soon when we can fly again.
The last time I donated was in December, exactly two weeks before returning to Canada as a landed immigrant!
Well, it's their loss I suppose, my quality O neg will be used in the UK instead.
My husband tells our Canadian friends that are blood is too full of gin for transplanting into a Canadian.
The last time I donated was in December, exactly two weeks before returning to Canada as a landed immigrant!
Well, it's their loss I suppose, my quality O neg will be used in the UK instead.
My husband tells our Canadian friends that are blood is too full of gin for transplanting into a Canadian.
