Top thread....
The resident in UK exclusion which Sarah kicked off with is interesting. When it was introduced the length of the stay required to exclude was >5 years which was then hastily brought down to >3 years when donations fell by more than predicted but was then restored to >5 years. So, as somebody who was a regular as clockwork donor thus excluded, it's reassuring to know that they're not convinced that I'm either carrying or going to develop CJD since the above indicates they would use me if donations dried up. That thought gets me through the sleepless nights.
I can understand Janet's frustration at what seemed to be inadequate staffing in D'Olier Street. However, while not wishing to defend the IBTS or anything, it must be very difficult to predict the public response to the sort of crisis we're experiencing. The blame must be shared by everybody in our so-called society - giving blood is the sort of civic-minded action which is going out of fashion in this country so these periodic crises are becoming all too regular. And please don't deluge me with "It should be more convenient". Discharging a civic duty often entails a little inconvenience and most of those who don't get around to it wouldn't be arsed getting out of their armchair if there was a blood clinic in operation in their kitchen.
I sincerely hope that anybody who has been moved by the appeal in the media to donate for the first time will make a commitment to doing it 4 times a year. It is one of the few selfless, decent acts the return from which far outstrips the effort required.
Sad to relate, however, that the question about iron content in Guinness is now moot. They gave up handing out gargle when they moved into D'Olier Street. Nonetheless, the view down the River and O'Connell Street from the cafe area nearly makes up for it.
oysterman.
The resident in UK exclusion which Sarah kicked off with is interesting. When it was introduced the length of the stay required to exclude was >5 years which was then hastily brought down to >3 years when donations fell by more than predicted but was then restored to >5 years. So, as somebody who was a regular as clockwork donor thus excluded, it's reassuring to know that they're not convinced that I'm either carrying or going to develop CJD since the above indicates they would use me if donations dried up. That thought gets me through the sleepless nights.
I can understand Janet's frustration at what seemed to be inadequate staffing in D'Olier Street. However, while not wishing to defend the IBTS or anything, it must be very difficult to predict the public response to the sort of crisis we're experiencing. The blame must be shared by everybody in our so-called society - giving blood is the sort of civic-minded action which is going out of fashion in this country so these periodic crises are becoming all too regular. And please don't deluge me with "It should be more convenient". Discharging a civic duty often entails a little inconvenience and most of those who don't get around to it wouldn't be arsed getting out of their armchair if there was a blood clinic in operation in their kitchen.
I sincerely hope that anybody who has been moved by the appeal in the media to donate for the first time will make a commitment to doing it 4 times a year. It is one of the few selfless, decent acts the return from which far outstrips the effort required.
Sad to relate, however, that the question about iron content in Guinness is now moot. They gave up handing out gargle when they moved into D'Olier Street. Nonetheless, the view down the River and O'Connell Street from the cafe area nearly makes up for it.
oysterman.