Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Giving blood

30 replies

NatMoz · 28/04/2022 20:59

Has anyone done it? I've just signed up as a donor but I'm wondering if they would even be interested in my blood as it's not very common and therefore won't be in demand particularly!?

I'm AB-.

OP posts:
BabCNesbitt · 28/04/2022 21:00

Also AB- and regularly get emails from my local blood service asking for me to donate! Unfortunately I always seem to be slightly anaemic when I go in so I’m always turned away with a leaflet about iron-rich foods…

ZealAndArdour · 28/04/2022 21:00

Yes, I have given blood. I’m sure they will tell you if they want your blood or not.

RandomMess · 28/04/2022 21:04

They may ask you to donate platelet or plasma instead.

They are crying out for donors. Sadly I can't donate anything anymore Sad

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
FriedaKleinsCat · 28/04/2022 21:09

They need donors of rare blood types and often put specific calls out for those blood types so I’m sure they will want your blood 🙂

I give blood every few months and it’s a very easy way of doing something for other people if you can, plus you get free biscuits 😁

PortalooSunset · 28/04/2022 21:12

Rare types are more in demand because there are fewer donors! Well done for stepping up 👏👏👏
I've done it for years (on hiatus at the moment due to ill health). Only one failed donation in over 2 decades, embarrassingly passed out, then 2 days later discovered I was very unexpectedly pregnant!

I volunteered for covid antibody donation too but unfortunately my veins were too crappy for that (different technique used) and they weren't able to accept me.

AussieSue · 28/04/2022 21:16

Any blood donors are very welcome, the rarer blood type the better! I've donated before. Make sure you drink plenty of water the day before you donate if possible, as well as prior to your donation 😊 You are doing an amazing thing, there is a shortage of donors.

123ABC456 · 28/04/2022 21:23

I used to donate but after I received blood they will no longer take mine in case they gave me a disease. I kid you not Sad

catwithflowers · 28/04/2022 21:27

I've donated for 20 plus years. I'm a very common blood type. On a few occasions I've failed the initial finger prick test because of potential anaemia but then they do another test which has always been okay. It's a great thing to do. Well done for signing up 😊

Darker · 28/04/2022 21:31

Do it. At least, give it a try.

I am slightly anaemic so I take iron to make sure they let me donate. 😅. I’m on 25 donations. Always makes me feel like I’ve done something worthwhile.

Skydreams · 28/04/2022 21:34

I used to give blood but they no longer base their venue anywhere near where I live and I don’t drive.

I was also cross on two separate occasions when I was asked as soon as I sat down if I was pregnant without the assistant even looking at the completed form that I handed them. I know I have a bit of a mum tum since having DC but in a medical environment I expect staff to check the facts stated on the signed form and not ask women potentially embarrassing questions unnecessarily.

Darker · 28/04/2022 21:43

They always ask me if I’m pregnant and I’m in my mid-50s. No chance! Asking the same questions across the board makes it easier on staff who don’t have to make a judgement.

yellowsuninthesky · 28/04/2022 21:48

123ABC456 · 28/04/2022 21:23

I used to donate but after I received blood they will no longer take mine in case they gave me a disease. I kid you not Sad

Yes in case you have CJD. It does seem a bit silly.

But there are lots of people who could donate who don't - my DH and DS included, I am not very impressed with either of them, but to be fair since I started running I have donated much less often as it affects it quite badly - however, I've donated 35+ times, which is at least 35 times more than most people so I won't feel too guilty about it.

BlimBosh · 28/04/2022 21:52

Really wish I could.

Well done you 👏

NoSquirrels · 28/04/2022 21:58

I’m booked to donate next week, and as well as sending me 2x text messages and an email to confirm the appointment, they’ve also called me twice today (missed the first call) to check I can keep the booking and won’t be ruled out by Covid vaccinations etc. I’m a rare blood type and they specifically said they’re checking all donors like me as they are in great need.

As PP says, drink plenty water beforehand. Well done, it’s an easy good deed if you’re able to give.

Justkeeppedaling · 28/04/2022 21:59

I've given 54 donations of my B+ blood. That's quite a lot of armfulls!

cherrypiepie · 28/04/2022 22:03

Yes I think rarer bloods are more I demand. I've done it sporadically for 20+ years. I'm a+ so very common. Family have recover blood so try and give back. O- is universal so the most demanded I think.

I can understand why people don't do it . It's a weird concept. I'm trying to go regularly now to local venue.

Drink loads on the day. If you know which is your good vein arm that helps too.

I've been rejected a few times- once I had had antibiotics and didn't realise you aren't allowed to give blood after and infection for 7 days or something and once the blood was too slow as had a dodgy vein. I think I hadn't drank enough that day.

Few days or a week later you get a message telling you where you blood went - mine went to Pinderfields which I know used to have a well known burns unit - not sure any more.

SanFranBear · 28/04/2022 22:19

Thanks for the reminder... just booked my 52nd donation of my lovely O+ blood. I can help 3 out of 4 blood types with O+ and so, even though its incredibly common, it is always in high demand. But, as many pp's have noted, there are never enough donors of any type so, whilst it's not for everyone, I always think those who can, really should try.

This is Scotland only but is indicative for the UK as a whole - here are the stock levels from this morning:
www.scotblood.co.uk/about-blood/current-blood-stock-levels/

Let's face it, similar to organ donation, if you needed a transfusion to save you or your loved ones lives, you'd take it. So makes sense to give if you can.

Georgeskitchen · 28/04/2022 22:27

I have given blood in the past and would continue to do so but a few years back I received a letter from the blood donation service informing me not to book appointments anymore as my blood is not one of the groups they need.
I was quite offended actually 😉😉
I am AB +, the universal recipient.

123rd · 28/04/2022 22:30

I'm on 30+ donations. Such a good thing to do. You will be made to feel very good about doing it. I'm so glad I can donate

Xpologog · 28/04/2022 22:49

I don’t think it matters whatever blood group you are as blood is always needed.
I had an “ iron infusion” alongside a couple of bags of whole blood. I wasn’t in any fit state to question how this iron infusion was made but it must have come from someone’s donated blood. Thank you to all blood donors, it was no great life threatening drama but 24 hours later it was really nice to stand up without passing out, and I was a very grateful recipient.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/04/2022 22:58

I did for years. But as soon as I got diagnosed with MS. They didn't want it. Even though I hadn't had any treatment at that time.

Danikm151 · 28/04/2022 23:09

I’ve done it once then been pestered to book an appointment again. I had to get them to remove my number from my record.

i still get emails. It puts me off donating again. I will but when I find the time in my schedule. They’d get more appointments if they did evenings

LaWench · 28/04/2022 23:12

I used to quite often but the last successful donation I had I almost passed out. They wouldn't take me again because of that.

I tried years later and the nurse couldn't find a vein. I give up. Shame as I'm O+ and it's supposed to be a good all-round type and I'm keen to donate.

Oddfood · 28/04/2022 23:17

I passed out last time I did it and they said to definitely try again but to eat more immediately before.
So embarrassing. I think it was partly the lack of food and partly because I kept thinking of that book ‘never let me go’ where they harvest people’s organs 😂

melcalfe · 29/04/2022 00:14

I've donated for almost 20 years. Plasma for about 10 years and stopped.

Unfortunately plasma has a LOT of your nutrients so the donation leaves you exhausted. First time I donated I woke up next morning feeling like I had a flu or a hangover; I didn't have either. Now I know it's because my body gets wiped out of all vitamins.

There is a popular cosmetic treatment now where you get injected with someone's plasma, as it is like gold for human body. They also inject plasma into scalp for hair growth.

Just something to bear in mind when you give away a lot of own plasma.

Ask anything else you'd like to know but they absolutely need ANY blood type. You can also donate blood only 4 times a year so not like you'll be giving them loads and they won't use it up.

Plasma can be given fortnightly.