Giving blood

[stampo]

Just wondering has anyone any experience of giving blood? There's a big call for donors where i live and i have O negative so would like to donate. But I'm scared. Does it hurt? Will i feel weak afterwards?

Don't forget your own water bottle, I was told off for not bringing one but think as I booked at short notice I didn't get a letter, other than that they are all lovely.
I should be able to donate next month, I did try last year but couldn't as my iron was really low but blood test at docs was ok not sure if they measure differently though.

Just hopping on to say I have had blood transfusions which saved mine and my babies lives (when pregnant and very poorly). Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart to every one of you. Sounds weird but as the blood was going in, I thought of the person who had donated it and honestly felt such love and gratitude towards them, and such comfort from the fact a stranger would do that for me, it was as if they were there holding my hand. You are all

I have rubbish veins, and am now on a medication that the blood bank doesn't like, or I'd be donating. Used to, when I was in healthcare.

I'm donating my organs for whatever they need them for as some recompense. If they can be used, that is.

@indigoemerald

I agree that the plaster is the most painful part of the whole process! I use donating blood as an excuse to treat myself on the day (e.g I’ll stop off at a cafe on the way home to get something nice for lunch as a reward/to get my energy levels back).

I’m usually in and out in less than an hour, it only takes about 5 minutes for me to donate my pint and then you can sit for as long as you need in the food/drink area.

In the UK you receive a text which tells you when your blood has been used and which hospital it went to, which is an amazing feeling. I have the Ro subtype in my blood, which means my donations are nearly always sent to patients with sickle cell anaemia to help prevent sickle cell crises, which sound very painful and debilitating.

The text is only in England :( I used to like getting them when I donated there. Welsh blood service don't do it :(

Tried to donate for the first time earlier this year but my veins failed me!

@stampo

Yes! Well I've made the call. I had my first vaccine yesterday so have to wait 7 days after that. Booked in for the 29th! I shall report back. Nervous but almost feel like it's my civic duty to donate

Well done!! Good luck :)

Well done for making the call. I'm up to 18 donations and I can't fault them at all - very professional, put you at ease, especially if you are new. Just make sure you have eaten properly the day you donate, and drink loads. I love the text you get afterwards saying which hospital the blood has gone to!

@NatMoz

Slightly off topic but would they turn people with certain blood groups away? I recently found out I am AB- which as I understand is a rare one and may not be in high demand?

Once my pregnancy is over I think I'll be considering donation but only if they actually need me!

I don't have the magic blood group (is it O-?) that can be used by all.

I'm a less common group B-ve and I occasionally get a letter asking because the stocks are quite low. They don't turn anyone away as the blood can be separated and used for all sorts, not just whole blood. They give you a leaflet to read beforehand which tells you what your donation could be used for

I always have slightly out of range FBC results (low neutrophil count and low MCV). Ferritin is always good though. Does anyone know if I more likely to feel ill after donating? I have looked on the blood.co.uk website but can’t see anything.

You're all fab for donating. I'm neutropenic so can't donate even though I wanted to

@stampo
Well done for making the call , I am sure all will go well for you . Treat the when day as a mini holiday , you deserve it.

PP that asked if rare blood is needed absolutely no blood groups will ever e turned away but rate ones are highly sought after.

Pp that said they are donating organs, please make sure your close family are aware of your wishes, a friend of mine sister died last year the two sisters had passing conversations about organ donation but nothing was ever really said to the rest of family when she died it caused some uncomfortable conversations and some arguments as to whether it was the right thing to do so please make your family aware

I did it! Had a 10am appointment so not quite the full day out i had planned but it was absolutely fine. It was a set up in a community center so no big fancy lounge chairs but i survived. Got given a twirl and a can of 7up afterwards. Thanks everyone for the encouragement.

@stampo thank you so much. I had to have emergency transfusions five years ago, without which I would not be here anymore. I used to give blood but can't now because of the transfusions. Your donation makes such a huge difference. Well done & keep donating! 💐

Well done, stampo!

Well done!

I went yesterday, I got rejected! First time in 30-odd years, I'll be back though, nothing serious. Missed out on my biscuits 😂