I used to give blood in the UK but after having malaria in Tanzania the blood service got all snobby on me and permanently struck me off their lists which is a shame as my blood group is Oneg. Thankfully the South African blood service have no such hang-ups and because their screening is amongst the best in the world (if not the best) they know my blood is safe.
Anyway, the reason this issue is important to me is because my younger brother was dependent upon regular blood transfusions when he was battling leukaemia. Sadly that is a battle he lost but I remember him answering the often asked question "Is there anything I can do to help?" by saying "Give blood!"
There really is no excuse for not donating blood. It's quick, it's painless and you even get a cup of tea & biscuit for your troubles. Don't wait until you need a transfusion to realise just how valuable this service is.
I used to do plasma and platelets as well when I lived in Cambridge, and you get lots and lots of drinks and biscuits for that. I give blood in Argentina too, I'm Aneg and I keep being told that people sell that here, but I shall keep giving it away for free, (unless our supporter levels really plunge...)
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