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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:
BaubleTheLumpOfCoal · 19/12/2019 08:13

Best wishes to you and your mum, what a lovely post.

I've attempted to donate 4 times now and they won't let me because I'm underweight (even though I'm perfectly ok for my build.)
I think we need to petition to get them to lower the weight parameters!

Namechangednorth · 19/12/2019 08:17

I donate particularly as I am that rare group o- which can be given to any recipient so is in demand for emergency medicine. What I'm glad about but they need to do better is the blood donor service keeps writing to me asking to donate earlier as they have low stocks, but when I try and book and appointment there are no slots for months!!

They have no written to say that 0- donors will now be given priority but I still find it tricky to get appointments

But yes...I hope doing good deeds like this do some good so is nice to hear your story @ChristmassySpice

GemmeFatale · 19/12/2019 08:18

Thank you for posting this. It’s prompted me to check the rules on breastfeeding and I’m eligible to donate again.

Thank you

Redcherries · 19/12/2019 08:24

I hope your mum is doing well today OP.

I'm alive today due to donated blood, severed artery nearly got me. I'm so grateful to the donors.

We had tried to donate previously but always got turned away as they had too many people and now I can't but some of my friends do. I might encourage my husband to try again. Would be no use with DS, he's terrified of any injections, really terrified.

Thank you to you all :). I wonder if one of you guys saved me!

mathanxiety · 19/12/2019 08:27

Flowers to you and your mum.

I am in the US and they won't let me donate because I was in Ireland and the UK during the 1980s/90s.
Sad

Rumnraisin · 19/12/2019 08:29

Lovely thread to read this morning - wishing a quick recovery for your Mum Flowers

Greyhound22 · 19/12/2019 08:46

I've had 6 units of blood this year. I really do appreciate it. I won't ever be able to pay it back now as once you have received you can't give - but yes thanks to everyone who does.

InTheBleakMidwinterIWouldSing · 19/12/2019 08:48

I'm another one who has received a blood transfusion (after giving birth with massive PPH).

They told me that I would survive without it, but I should really, really take it because it would help me feel much better much faster.

I took their advice and honestly the next day I felt like a new woman. Being able to feel ok during those first few days with my first baby, even though we were still in hospital, has meant everything to me since then.

ChristmasCroissant · 19/12/2019 08:58

Just echoing other posters because like them, I can no longer donate because I've received blood. I didn't realise until the regular blood magazine arrived and rang the helpline to confirm it - luckily I hadn't given blood in the meantime but I was surprised.

As a PP mentioned, I have American friends who are unable to donate blood because of CJD fears around the time they lived in the UK.

Grateful thanks to all those still donating. Just out of interest - I think I got the idea to donate from my mum who did, and my DH used to donate at work when they came round (large factory setting). Those who donate, what gave you the idea to do it?

Aragog · 19/12/2019 09:04

Don't forget that the most common blood type needs donating in greater quantities as it's more likely to be needed.

I can't donate blood for medical reasons but did a few times when younger.

17y dd has just registered admins plans to give blood in the new year for the first tine. Had to cancel her original appointment due to exams.

YouRemindMeOfTheBabelfish · 19/12/2019 09:30

I nearly died, new year 2012, and had to be on transfusion for days. It's very sobering knowing that you're only here because other people have given.

iVampire · 19/12/2019 09:35

I used to donate, but now cannot ever again for medical reasons. Which may require blood or bone marrow in the future.

Huge thanks to those who donate (when they can - well award that booking system can be awkward), and to those who have joined the bone marrow register

Lardlizard · 19/12/2019 09:36

In other countries you get a text message to let you know your donated blood has been used ! How cool is that !

BlastEndedSkrewt · 19/12/2019 09:52

I have registered to give blood but as yet haven't done it - everywhere local to me has no availability at all !

Honestly thought it would be an easier thing to do

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 19/12/2019 09:59

Best wishes to your Mum, OP, and all your family. Flowers

I give blood. I had a long gap after an operation when I fell off the reminders list and never got round to getting myself back on it, but I work part-time now so thought I really ought to make the effort. Glad I did! I love getting that text that tells me where the blood has been used.

I have found it's important to be really well hydrated or it just doesn't flow fast enough. Afternoons are better for me than mornings for that reason.

Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 19/12/2019 10:05

q

Fuckingfuckssake · 19/12/2019 12:19

You can now book all your appointments via an app, I live in a small town and it is difficult to get seen, the National Blood Service is under resourced just like everyone else, but the need is just as great so I persevere. And I like the bisquits.

SpoonBlender · 19/12/2019 12:41

@MincedOath O+ is excellent to donate - it can go into about 84% of people, so it's really really useful.

ExpletiveFairylighted · 19/12/2019 12:47

Croissant - I started in my first job, which was a large factory where they set up in the canteen, in the early 90s. Lots of my colleagues were going so off I went, no appointments needed in those days but you could wait a long time. In my next job whenever they turned up at the local village hall the management encouraged us all to go. I do wonder if the inability to go along spontaneously with friends or colleagues hampers the numbers of people getting started. Sessions at 6th form colleges would be a great idea.

Anyway, I finally reached my 50th donation this year, there were a few years where I kept getting ill or having childcare problems which slowed me down but I have found a regular venue and time which works now and am next due to donate in Feb.

Original poster
ChristmassySpice · 19/12/2019 13:04

Thanks so much again for all sharing your stories and good wishes. Much love to you all.

@DisgraceToTheYChromasome I'm near you! My blood gets sent far and wide too. Looking forward to seeing where my upcoming donation goes.

OP posts:
MyChristmasBauble · 19/12/2019 13:11

Years and years ago I saw a poster that asked:
‘What if they only gave blood to those who donate it?’
I’ve never forgotten it and have given blood whenever I can since.

justilou1 · 19/12/2019 13:12

I took my teenaged kids with me on Thursday when I donated blood. I wanted them to see that there were people from all walks of life giving up fifteen minutes of their time and a pint of blood in exchange for a couple of biscuits and cheese. I explained that at this time of year (in Australia) it is our summer holidays. A lot of their regular donors are on holidays. There is a lot more car travel and a lot more drink driving 😢. People also do dumb things. Now is the time our hospitals need blood the most, and it can only be stored for 42 days. My kids were very impressed with me, and promised that they will donate when they re old enough too.

DrivingMsCrazy · 19/12/2019 13:14

@ChristmasCroissant you asked what gave people the idea to do it, a family member of mine nearly died giving birth and donated blood helped save her so that's what started me.
I agree that we need to say loud and clear how much it's needed - Scotblood say only 4-6% of those ELIGIBLE to donate do so, that already doesn't include children and those who have received etc. It really is woefully low and is much needed especially at this time of year!

I'm booked in to give on the 28th Smile it'll give me a reason to get out of the house and get moving again after Xmas slobbing!

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 19/12/2019 13:15

Those who donate, what gave you the idea to do it?

Dh started because two women from my ante-natal class with dc1 needed transfusions and then my df had to have loads of blood after chemo.

I've just made an appointment for my first donation motivated by this thread. It's been at the back of mind for ages but it took me a while to get my iron levels back up after both pregnancies and I kept procastinating about it.

twoheaped · 19/12/2019 13:16

@Lardlizard they have been sending out text messages in the UK for a while too.

What they have just started doing is emailing you to tell you where your blood went before being issued. The link takes you to Google maps. My donation had 4 stops before it was issued at Oldham A&E.

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