To the person who saved my Mum's life today

[ChristmassySpice]

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.

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

I worked in a hospital during my uni holidays and occasionally on my rounds delivering medical notes was asked to collect a bag of blood for a ward. Then I saw the absolute flap when a patient on the AMU needed a transfusion right there and then, and an HCA had to literally peg it across the site to pick one up and get it back in time. So I started donating. I’ve had breaks from it, due to pregnancy and then when I couldn’t get an appointment to fit around DS (who is far too young and boisterous to go with me - the very idea brings me out in a cold sweat 😱). But they’ve just started a new session in the next village so as long as I can get pretty much the last slot of the day, I can go again

I started donating after my twins were born in 2018. I waited till I was done having babies. I don't know why, really.

Where I am, they only let women donate every 16 weeks so although I donate as often as I can, I'm only on donation no 5 with no 6 planned for early 2020. I second using the app -- it makes things so much easier.

I cannot give platelets as my veins are too small - I have asked - but I do what I can! I always get a text a week or two later saying what hospital my blood has gone to, and it's been to 3 different counties so far

o positive blood and o negative (highly unusual) are botht he best sorts for them to have - o is the universal donor and the other types have other parts on them that mean they are a or b etc

I am a B positive not the rarest but nearly, I don't believe I can give any more but will go and check

I am a rare blood group B-, but they don't want my blood because of my medications ( I take enough to floor a horse)

I’m AB+ and I read that they don’t want donations from my group anymore either.
Apparently it’s not much use ☹️

Apologies, I should amend that - they don’t want donations from females (particularly if they’ve given birth) with my AB+ blood group.

I'm O Neg, and booked in for the end of January. It'll be donation no 63 . I've got a tattoo appointment booked in for after this date, so it will be 4 months between the tattoo and next donation in the summer (I time it carefully to minimise any delays in donating blood).

OP, it's lovely to hear the direct result when someone has been helped by a donation, although I know it won't have been mine. Here's wishing your Mum a speedy recovery

My dad had a donation last month, he's anaemic and may need more soon until the doctors fix the issue (but they're working on that, he's got blood tests coming up).

Oh,

For anyone who knows they are group O Neg, give them a call on 0300 123 23 23.

I recently had a letter that was about setting up fast track and priority appointments for people with this blood group, as it's so necessary. Apparently, they'll squeeze you in even if the app says no appointments left.

My daughter had been coming with me since she was born, not so much now as I usually go when she's at school, she is fascinated by the whole process and they always let her hold the bag of blood afterwards while it's still warm!! Also B positive and they always need it.

I’m B+ and here in Aus they are desperate for plasma from my type. My veins aren’t big enough either, as per PP. TBH, I got the giggles when the blood donation kept stopping and beeping. They kept having to come back and jiggle it a bit to get the flow up again. I explained that there was a strong likelihood of it being clogged with cheese 🤣

I really admire people who give blood. It's such a generous thing to do. I wish I could but I have a serious blood phobia and can barely get through having a blood test without passing out in a heap on the floor. Hope your mum is ok OP. Have a great xmas :) xx

I've always thought that being a hayfever sufferer I can't give blood.
However I've just looked on the blood donor website and it says I could give blood if my symptoms are under control and not currently on steroids....

I'm type O-, because I had a blood transfusion as a new born. I hadn't realised the implications of this until a few years back when my mum decided to be a donor and I realised I have a different blood group from her.

I have a low BMI so am not heavy enough to donate myself (the transfusion was too long ago to count). DH did for years but can't manage to donate around caring for our toddler as she doesn't lend herself to sitting nicely whilst daddy's stuck on the bed. He'll go back to it. His mum donated as well.

MyChristmasBauble

My favourite slogan from one of their campaigns is:

you're never too busy to receive blood

I was really excited to discover that I have 'baby blood'. I am CMV negative so my blood is used for newborns, prem babies and babies needing surgery. It is a real thrill to know my blood is being used in this very special way. My next donation will be number 10. It's such an important thing to do.

I've had some time out tonight to see the new Star Wars film. Have just got home and catching up with this thread. Lovely to see how its prompted some folk into looking at giving blood. And lovely to read some of the stories. A couple of things stand out. The 'You are never too busy to receive blood' and I also remember the poster who said imagine if you could only receive blood if you actually donated it. It's not about shaming people. But raising awareness of how important it is. And as others have said, the percentage of eligible donors is scarily low. Thanks again for your lovely messages. The human / personal element is what has made this thread so lovely. to you all.

I’m on 26 donations in the U.K. and 3 in cyprus. My blood is b+ so not that common, I started donating when I was 18 and at uni and have tried to keep it up since then.
I read somewhere that the average donation helps 3 people (as it’s often split into component parts). I came within a hairs breath of needing a transfusion myself after the delivery of DD so I’m aware how quickly you can suddenly need blood (they cross matched me for two units and had it hanging up ready to go but luckily they stopped the bleeding).
I encourage everyone who can to give blood

I've registered now but in my area I can only get to one place and they have no appointment before May 🙄
Then obv I can't give blood as my symptoms start in April....

I have huge admiration for blood donors. I received 3 transfusions after losing 2.5 litres of blood giving birth to my eldest and they without a doubt saved my life. I get a bit emotional thinking about how I am still here and my little boy still has a mummy thanks to the people that donated that blood.

I also really regret that I never gave blood before that. I tried to once and they couldn’t find a vein so I didn’t try again and I hugely regret it now that I can’t donate after the transfusions I had. Although my husband has now donated several times to repay the favour!

Hope your mum is doing ok op.