Holidays Are Almost Here

[Al]

Al - as I can't go this time (will be interstate) - I'll arrange a visit in a week or so. Will let you, and any other alcoholics know - so you can prepare.

This means you - Bec and Stickers

Will also back it up with some eatery and poolery at the Playboy Mansion.

cool

[Roy]

If we are up for Sunday morning, then im a good chance of going off tap arounf 5-6pm and just strolling across the finish line so I should be good for Sunday mornng…NO, I WILL be good for Sudnay morning. Can you PM me your Mobile Greg?

[SS8_Gohan]

hong kong in feb

africa in July <- (i'm guessing that's not going to go down too well?)

i also have a blood condition.... does that COMPLETELY proclude me from all this? or are some ok, and some not ok?

[blind_elk]

hong kong in feb

africa in July <- (i'm guessing that's not going to go down too well?)

i also have a blood condition.... does that COMPLETELY proclude me from all this? or are some ok, and some not ok?

I would suggest it's not looking good. But you've really got nothing to lose by joining us on Sunday. Have a look on their website http://www.donateblood.com.au/page.aspx?ID...8&parent=30

There are quite a number of different disease covered in that list. The Africa question is possibly answered

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V

[blind_elk]

Q Travel - I have travelled outside of Australia . Can I still donate blood?

A. In most cases, yes. However, travel to an area with a risk of insect-borne or animal-borne infections can result in symptomless infection that can be transmitted through blood transfusion. There are 3 areas of concern related to infection risks with overseas travel. These are:

a) Malaria risk:

Malaria is the most common example of insect-borne infection and is prevalent in many tropical and sub-tropical areas. To prevent transmission of malaria from donors who have travelled to these countries, only the plasma portion of the donation is used for a period of 1 to 3 years after returning. This plasma is sent to be processed into plasma products (which do not transmit the malaria organism).

In July 2005, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service introduced malaria testing in order to reduce this period of time to as little as 4 months, after which a malaria test is performed. If this test is negative, the donation can be used for transfusion or plasma product production. This test will be progressively extended to all Australian states.

b) HIV risk:

Some overseas countries have a high prevalence of HIV infection among the general community. A person who has sex with a person who lives in one of these areas is deferred from donating for a period of 12 months in order to exclude the possibility of HIV transmission.

c) Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) risk

The UK is experiencing an ongoing epidemic of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), the human form of mad cow disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Since 2004, there have been a small number of reported cases of patients in the United Kingdom (UK) diagnosed with vCJD who may have been infected through blood transfusion.

Based on this information, and in the absence of a reliable screening test for vCJD in blood, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service has implemented guidelines to reduce the risk of vCJD transmission through blood transfusion in Australia. Currently we wxclude people from donating who:

* Have resided in the UK between 1980 and 1996 for a total time of 6 months or more,

or

* Have received blood transfusions in the UK since 1 January 1980.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is monitoring progress in the development of a reliable blood screening test for vCJD. Should this deferral policy be changed for any reason, please be assured that this onformation will be disseminated widely.

[SS8_Gohan]

hahahahah. ok so far i've racked up..

h.k. in feb (those weird avian flu's)

africa in July (where i got Malaria and Aemobic Dysentery)

blood condition (thalycemia (sp?) minor)

sooo.... who wants my blood!

[blind_elk]

hahahahah. ok so far i've racked up..

h.k. in feb (those weird avian flu's)

africa in July (where i got Malaria and Aemobic Dysentery)

They can still use the plasma component

blood condition (thalycemia (sp?) minor)

sooo.... who wants my blood!

THALASSAEMIA - that would make you anaemic, which probably precludes you.

But, as I said, let the Red Cross be the judge.