Donating Blood Kilted

[Archangel]

BTW, in case anybody in political authority is listening... After the Canadian Red Cross totally screwed up the Canadian blood donation system (by buying Texas penitentiary blood and distributing it unchecked to Canadians), the Canadian government took away their blood distribution privileges. The Red Cross was replaced by Canadian Blood Services who introduced a whole new level of bureaucracy, and for me, made it very difficult to continue donating blood. Drop in donations are not allowed, it's by appointment only. When it comes to blood, I don't live that way. I can't predict how well I'll feel at a given time but I drive by the centre frequently. If I go in, it's a long wait because they don't do first come, first served anymore. You have to wait for a cancelled appointment.
They also don't do work sites anymore, or at least as often.
I'm pretty close to 30 donations, and I wanted to keep that going. They've made it very frustrating.

Anyway, my brief rant. America does better than Canada on this one. Congrats on your gifts.

[Hamish]

Here in the United Kingdom we are not permitted to donate more than three times a year - it used to be only twice a year - and I have never heard of double dosing. I am not aware that they do it here. My blood group is B Reh D Negative, which is comparatively rare, and I was once called to a London Hospital to give an emergency donation for a recipient who was actually on the operating table in the theatre next door!