blood stocks low - will anyone donate in my place?

[outforblood]

My time as a blood donor is over. I tried and failed to donate yesterday for the last time. Having donated regularly since I was a teenager, this was the second visit in a row where even the most experienced senior nurse was unable to access a vein.

Apparently my veins are very small, buried deep, and the one stretch where they come close to the surface is now unsuitable for further attempts due to being used so often. No need to try again: "Looks like we've got all we can out of you."

I always found giving blood very life-affirming. I've been very lucky to be in good health most of my life so I always felt fortunate just to be in a position to do it. I know many can't. So I felt very sad to be turned away, but even worse to then read that blood stocks are currently dangerously low, particularly of rarer types (like mine).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw4y2x2kn4ko

I thought I'd come on here in case I could spur someone on here who is eligible to donate but on the fence to take my place. Maybe you've been meaning to donate but haven't got round to it, or maybe you haven't done it for a long time, or maybe you're a first-timer and nervous. But it's such a positive thing to do, the staff I've encountered have always friendly and gentle and professional. And of course you get and afterwards!

If you have any questions or concerns let me know and I'll do my best to help. But it would make my day if even one person pledged to donate in my place. 🙂

I've been trying to persuade my sons to donate now they are old enough. The online queue was quite a wait, but I'm hoping they will in a couple of days.

Last couple of times I tried my iron was too low. I've been taking iron and multivitamins for a while now, but they said if it was low next time that was it, I wasn't allowed to try again. No idea if that's true?

I got a request from the blood service today and have booked in.

A+ though so not sure if that's much use?!

Since covid I've had ten blood appointments cancelled in three years due to lack of staff. I nearly gave up donating (after #56) because I was fed up. It wouldn't surprise me if this is a factor in addition to the computer glitch.

Just got this,

You are the second most common blood group so very useful.

I would encourage any with anaemia to keep checking now and again. I finally passed the haemoglobin test for the first time last year aged 45 - one thing to thank early menopause for perhaps! I have my fourth donation booked on Sunday. My 17yo started recently a week after she was old enough but can't seem to recruit any of her friends ...

Ok I’m in a queue to sign up. I’m O positive blood type so I don’t think what they need so urgently, but hopefully useful. I’ve always wanted to give blood but I have a fear of needles and tricky veins, however your post has given me the push I need, so I will give it a go!

Thank you @menopausalmare , that's lovely to know!

I signed up a little while ago and have had an email asking me to donate blood (for the first time, I'm 0 neg)
Have my appointment in 2 weeks time!

I have never yet passed the iron test! I have an unusual blood type too, so wish I could.

Thank you so much for posting this. I can also no longer give blood due to health reasons but I can encourage those around me to do so. To all the great people on here donating, a huge thank you too!

My dad can't donate as he had two transfusions which saved his life
I'm grateful to anyone that does donate, I have a rare blood disorder and am unable to

Wish I could, but I'm not allowed.

Yes, please donate. I wish they would change the rules on donating. I used to be a regular donor until I had a ruptured ectopic and received five units of blood so now I can't donate anymore.

Queue is now 36 minutes to book a slot

The thing that really irks me- and of course they are suffering with budget cuts like everything else- but the mobile unit used to come into our village every rotation. Nipped in , did your thing , grabbed a biscuit and left , they even rebooked next appointment.

then they stopped it and moved to the local town . A bit of an annoying drive but not the end of the world.

then this too was cancelled, and last time I checked- admittedly that was last year- I had to go into Leeds to donate!! Stopped bothering, because it’s now an all day mission and it’s not really feasible, when as before it was a lunch break/ nipping in on way home from work job

I’ve just been talking about this with DH and he’s donating in my place. I’ve been a regular donor since I was old enough, but can’t at the moment because of some postpartum health complications, whereas he’s never got round to doing it. He’s going to try and book in the morning and hope the queue has reduced

Anecdotal evidence, but neither of us know many or any donors of our own age (late twenties) but plenty our parents age, I wonder if there’s been a decline

I went recently for the first time and managed 3/4 of a bag before I started fainting 😅 should have known as I faint easily and it took me ages to come to so I’ve been told it’s a one and only for me 🙈 there was loads of people when I went though, lovely to see!

I'm the same OP, I would willingly donate as often as possible but blood donation centre have a 1 try only policy and my veins refuse to give out on the first attempt. The last 4 times I've tried had to be abandoned, 3 because they couldn't get any blood and 1 because after a couple of minutes the vein dried up.

When I was admitted to hospital a couple of years ago, they needed sample so had to just keep trying and it took 13 attempts, they tried both arms several times and finally managed to get one from the top of my foot. By the end of that 5 day stay I had bruises like this on both arms and feet.

I wish I could. My dad donated regularly throughout his life. I think he had that blood where you can donate to all other types.
Idk my blood type, I tried to donate but I've been turned down due to my weight being too low (ED)
I really hope everyone who is able to does donate.
My DH has to have a transfusion when he has a collapsed lung with 2.5 litres of blood inside it.
I wish I was well enough to donate. It's an amazing thing to do. And you help innumerable people to stay alive.

I’ve just received my pin badge for 10 donations! I even schedule my tattoos around giving so I can try and get as many donations as I can in. And obviously love a bourbon and a cuppa after. DH used to but hasn’t booked in again after he stopped during covid, I’ll give him a nudge to come with me next time.

I did my 3rd donation last week. It took me far too long to get round to my first donation last year but I’m making sure I go every 16 weeks. I am not a needle fan and feel faint afterwards, but the nurses know and just keep me lying down for a bit longer. Then I’m up for that orange club like a shot.

Oooh OP you’ve crashed the blood donation service’s website! All MNers on there I’m sure

I’m a regular donor but can’t give any at the moment (pregnant), I will be back 6 months after I’ve had my baby!

👆
Thyroid issues.
Otherwise I would.
My husband has been a donor during his productive age.

With respect to the op I think it’s probably the headline on the bbc website..