As vampire Hal inBBC Being Humanhe recruited blood suckers, but since making his first blood donation, Damien has been steadily recruiting blood donors, by inspiring fans to do the same.
Having given blood three times now, each time putting up his post-donation photo onhis twitter page, Damien continues to raise awareness on the importance of giving blood, ‘Re-tweeting’ anyone who sends him their own photo.
Today beginsNational Blood week(10-16 June) why not roll up your sleeve and make a difference by giving blood?
Donating blood really does save lives. If you are generally healthy, over 17 and want to do something that takes little of your time but truly makes a difference, don’t hesitate, take action today! Not only will you be doing something amazing, but you will also be helping Damien’s own campaign for increasing blood donations and if you send your photo to him on twitter, you are guaranteed a DaMo Retweet.
Visitblood.co.ukto find out where your nearest donation centre is and make an appointment today! take a friend, take your whole family and help spread the word forNational Blood week.
Great Article. I forgot he donated 3 times and I'm still trying to think of a reply to his latest tweet. Love the photo of a blood thisty Hal right below #freebiscuits. I want to download The Donor magazine, but it's not on the website yet.
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~Hal Yorke is in my dreams. Can't wait to go to bed!~
Great article and while i can't donate myself, i will support and encourage those who can and do!, thanks to someone like Damien, i have a beautiful twelve year old daughter in my life.
And the picture he tweeted this morning was a classic, caused quite the stir!.
As you know I am not allowed to give my blood, but I really want to help support this cause by encouraging others to and helping spread the word.
Totally admire Damien and it is a brave decision to use the vampire angle, many might shy away from it (including me i was going to use a blooded up vamp image on the feature front page but may change that now he has really gone there) but it is the PERFECT way to get the message across, it really is!
I'm trying to book an appointment but the site wont come up. Perhaps they've been flooded by eager young maidens desperate to help out naughty vampires.
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"Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realise you're wrong."
Lol, UJ. I now have visions of rows and rows of lovely young ladies giving blood whilst Damien walks up and down in a military fashion barking orders at them!
@Pradakat I know what a picture! added it to the feature immediately by the way ... Damien has far more chance of success at recruitment with pics like that, he should post more, really he should....
@UJ good for you! hope you have managed to get on the site now? maybe just busy traffic that day. Or you could always do it the old fashioned way and phone?
@HalGal yes, superhero status now I think!
Just to remind anyone who donates - if you tweet Damien your post donation arm photo, he will ReTweet you!
Thanks for the prompt, domino. I've booked an appointment. Hopefully I'll be able to make this one. Last time I had to cancel after I had very minor surgery on my finger. Local GP cut a cyst off, but it was technically an 'open wound' and that meant no donating over the weekend. If all goes to plan, I'll be sucked dry 29th this month.
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"Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realise you're wrong."
After reading about 'Know Blood Give Blood' this week one of the most important facts I keep telling people who I am encouraging to give blood in Real Life is "Your body makes about two million new red cells every second" - amazing how quickly the donated blood is replaced in the body!
I've emailed to blood donation people to see whether i am eligible or not. I thought not because of iron and other meds but i've spoken to someone who does donate and has been/is on iron. My other meds and my kidney condition may make me ineligible (quite probably) but i won't know unless i ask. Ten years ago i was severely needle phobic, i used to make my husband come with me to antenatal appointments where blood was required to be drawn, i used to have to lie down, i would do anything not to be stuck with a needle and now look at me! Would really like to be able to, i'd like to be able to give back to those who do this (and indirectly as a thanks to the donor who saved my daughter's life back at her birth)
Fingers crossed for you Lisa! If not and you find like me that your condition means you cannot donate, take heart that you have always supported Damien's campaign to recruit donors and helped spread the word.
I heard back from the blood donation people and as i suspected, i'm ineligible to donate because of the ferrous sulphate (iron) that i take and because of the CKD. I'm really disappointed because i'd harboured a secret hope that maybe i could donate somehow. To be told that i can't is sad, i've finally got to the point in my life that i want to give back, to say thank you to those who donate (and saved my daughter's life 12 years ago) and now i can't. But i will continue to support those who can donate and do.
-- Edited by rubyrosettared on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 09:15:42 PM
Had my session yesterday. Had the usual problem, my deep veins refused to be located, the usual gouging with the needle until they tapped one. At least only one arm got pierced this time. But I failed to give a full donation. Again. My blood clotted and refused to leave me. I'm an anti-haemophiliac ... Okay, that sounds like I'm against haemophiliacs. You know what I mean. If Hal bit me, he'd have to suck and suck ... And suck and suck ... And suck and suck and suck and I don't know how long he'd have to keep going because my blood will just not flow. I'm a slow bloodied bitch.
Prior to my own mini drama, there were actual dramas going on around me. One young woman fainted, recovered, left with her friends, who then came back and asked for help as she had fainted again. And then another guy took poorly. It's the first time I've seen people take ill at a donation. But then, I've been to so few. I'll try again next year.
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"Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realise you're wrong."
UJ, if Hal bit you and had to suck and suck...... I have a feeling you might not be too worried! Fancy having that face so close to your neck (or other areas!)
Lisa - so sorry to hear you cannot donate, your intention counts for much though as well as spreading the word *hugs*
UJ - wow, so sorry to hear that...how brave.. but how scary, enough to put anyone off donating forever! I still would if I could though because what is a few minutes feeling off, compared to saving a life?
just to reassure anyone reading this that not all donations come with difficulties and feeling faint, and the nurses are extremely well trained and kind.. and with each near pint donation the majority of it is water and the red blood cells lost the body replaces in seconds..(Your body makes about two million new red cells every second).
"If Hal bit me, he'd have to suck and suck ... And suck and suck ... And suck and suck and suck and I don't know how long he'd have to keep going because my blood will just not flow." now there's a thought UJ..........
UJ - I applaud your perseverance. I fainted the first time I gave blood (my own fault for not having had breakfast...or lunch!) and didn't go again for...many years. Have to say, when I finally screwed up the courage to go again it was absolutely fine.
Hope I haven't put any one off. Other donations I've been to have been absolutely fine. Perhaps the sudden outbreak of summer and the humidity made a contribution.
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"Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realise you're wrong."