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Original poster

To the person who saved my Mum's life today

94 replies

ChristmassySpice · 18/12/2019 20:48

Thank you.
You were a blood donor. Like me. I've never really thought about it so much before. It's been a difficult day. And there will be more difficult days to come. I just hope we can manage to have a good Christmas.
But someone saved my Mum's life today.
I'm due to give blood myself early in the New Year. I will never feel happier to repay that gift.

OP posts:

Spanglybangly · 18/12/2019 21:46

I hope your mum feels much better post transfusion. Hoping for a good Christmas for you all.

I received life saving blood transfusions after I suffered a massive PPH in February this year. I was always a donor prior to this and now encourage as many people as I can to donate. Without the blood products I wouldn’t be here to look after my little boy today.

To the PP asking about O positive blood - this is what I received and a large proportion of the population share this blood type meaning it is regularly in demand! You just never know who may need it.

rosesandcashmere · 18/12/2019 21:46

I love donating blood. It's lovely to hear when it makes a difference. Best wishes to you and your mum

Yerbumsootthewindae · 18/12/2019 21:47

MincedOath not sure where you are but the ScotBlood website is currently showing lower stock levels of O+ and O- than other blood types so this suggests you would definitely be in demand!

Junie70 · 18/12/2019 21:49

I've always assumed because of medication I'm on that I couldn't give blood, but looking at their website, I may be able to.

I've got an unusual group of antibodies that they used to be very excited about when I used to donate.

Thank you for prompting me to look OP and hope your Mum is better soon

SheSnapsThenSheFarts · 18/12/2019 21:51

I'm on donation 25 and am evangelical about encouraging people to give blood. To me it's simple: if you can, then you should. Hoping your mum gets better soon.

Butterfly02 · 18/12/2019 22:01

I've had my life saved twice by blood transfusions without which my Dt wouldn't be here and my ds would be without a mother.
I was a doner till I had a transfusion. I would recommend anyone who is able to to donate. You never know when you or your loved one's may need a transfusion.
It's so easy to donate but what you are giving someone is priceless.

CakeAndGin · 18/12/2019 22:06

@LtJudyHopps as PP said, drink a lot but also have something to eat about 90 minutes before your appointment. The nurses will tell you not to look as they put the needle in, listen to them if you don’t like needles. Some donor centres will have a TV but if it’s a village/church hall venue they probably won’t. So take a magazine or book to look at while giving. Or just close your eyes and focus on the exercises the nurses will talk to you about. I find it’s quite a relaxing time to just close my eyes and focus on doing my exercises. As a new donor, the nurses will talk through everything with you and will check on you frequently. If you feel unwell, just let them know straight away. Don’t worry about feeling like a bother.

@ChristmassySpice hopefully your mum has a speedy recovery. Unfortunately, I cancelled my last appointment and now I can’t get another appointment at any local venue for the next few months. There are no walk-in sessions and appointments are all when I’m at work.

YouJustDoYou · 18/12/2019 22:16

I try and book in to give blood every year as I have a slightly uncommon type but every single time all the appointments are booked out or at times I can't fondue to childcare and no family support.

MyGhastIsFlabbered · 18/12/2019 22:18

I'm feeling virtuous as I've given blood 31 times now. I don't know if people are aware but O- donors now have a priority line to call for appointments...they'll fit you in even if the online booking system says there are no appointments.

I've had to cancel my last 2 appointments due to ill health...hoping to go back in January.

iknowimcoming · 18/12/2019 22:19

Aww I've been a blood donor for 30 odd years now and you're welcome! I gave last week so it won't be my blood (lol!) but I hope your mum gets the care she needs and you have a nice Christmas OP

ThunderboltandLightning · 18/12/2019 22:30

I was too light until after having children, so I am only on about 20 now. I have an appointment for Friday. I always rebook as soon as I have donated so I can keep the gap as small as possible. I also have flexibility and will travel to minimise any extension in interval. I love the text messages I get saying where my blood has gone - usually to neonates.

TFthatsover · 18/12/2019 22:30

Hope you and you Mum have the best Christmas possible OP.

I send my heartfelt thanks to the person who saved me with their blood on New Years Day 2013. I wish i knew who they were and am sad I can't donate myself now and pay it forward.

LemonySippet · 18/12/2019 23:23

Since my husband has received multiple blood transfusions this year after being suddenly diagnosed with leukaemia I walked in to a donation session without an appointment and by chance they had one slot free at that exact time. I'm 40, and embarrassingly the only details they had on record for me were from when I was at Uni. This morning i received my updated card in the post and I've put the date in my calendar for when i can next donate. I've also signed up to be a stem cell and bone marrow donor.

TillyTheTiger · 18/12/2019 23:31

@MincedOath I'm also O+ and they always want my blood because it can be given to anyone who is rhesus positive (so anyone with O+, A+, AB+ or B+).

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 18/12/2019 23:46

@MincedOath think popular and in demand, not boring.

My blood group’s relatively unusual and I donated for many years until they retired me. I’ve still got my little hardback blue book though I never was notified where my contributions went. I’m sure it was useful and very happy to have contributed.

Original poster

ChristmassySpice · 19/12/2019 07:28

Thank you to you all for your kind messages. Feeling less drained after a good nights sleep. Ready to soldier on. And I have some ideas on ways to spill my Mum next week. Wishing you all a very happy and healthy Christmas too

OP posts:

OldEvilOwl · 19/12/2019 07:34

What a lovely post. I usually try and book my next appointment after donating last time. My next one is the day after Boxing Day this time

Chocolatethief · 19/12/2019 07:39

I'm booked in to give blood at the start of April will be my first time hate needles but think its important also put myself on the bone marrow list the other week

BikeRunSki · 19/12/2019 07:43

My blood is ultra boring O+ , do they really want it?
Oh course they do, it’s the most common blood type, so it’s in high demand by recipients.

GreenGrove · 19/12/2019 07:45

Ilovewillow · 19/12/2019 07:59

Best wishes to your mum, you and your family. Everyone who can should donate - it's really quick and easy and it makes a real difference. Having donated when I was younger I'm no longer able to but I will be educating my children on the importance.

FaithInfinity · 19/12/2019 08:04

Wish I could ‘love’ your post! I’m a blood donor. Having to have a hiatus at the moment because I’m on iron tablets but I’ll go back. Think I’ve given 13 times now. I’m glad your Mum got the blood she needed. I will go again in the New Year when I’m off the tablets.

Chemenger · 19/12/2019 08:05

I gave blood and plasma regularly until I needed a transfusion when DD2 was born which means I can’t donate now. I have a gold badge somewhere. It’s an easy way to feel you’re making a difference. I hate needles but just never looked at my arm while the needle was in. Both DD’s donated on their birthdays as soon as they were eligible, they used to come with DH and I when they were children.

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 19/12/2019 08:07

to you OP, and everyone else. My last donation went to Scunthorpe, the one before that Scarborough. I donate in Northumberland, so it can travel a fair distance. First time donors: the finger jab is worse than the needle IMO, plenty of fluid, at least 1.5 litres, and don't cycle home 6 miles into the wind. That was silly of me. It varies in how long it takes: I'm an overweight male with slightly high BP so it's about 5-7 minutes.

Spudlet · 19/12/2019 08:08

I’m mostly in it for the quiet sit-down and the free penguins

But seriously, I hope your mum is on the mend soon. Won’t have been me that gave that donation as my last one was a month ago and it’s long since been used - but it’s good to see the rather abstract fact of having had a sit in a swingy chair and a biscuit translated to a real impact in the world.

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