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'll look into it. I was never able to prior to having children as I didn't weigh enough, however many years later and a stone heavier I'll enquire. I have no fear of needles per se.

That's not normal though - it's because there's a lot in the news today about stocks being very low so lots of people are accessing the website (which is a good thing!)

I have never donated in a hospital (over 20 donations in multiple locations), it’s always been village halls, churches, scout centres etc, and twice when I worked in bigger companies they came to the office.

They keep ringing me to ask me to donate again but the only local collection they have done since last October was on Boxing Day when we were away staying with family. Apparently they were surprised that take up for that was low.

I am also a blood donor myself.🥰

I've tried twice and they couldn't get a vein either time unfortunately
Going to try again

I haven't donated for a while, but this thread is making me think I should go again.

They have never managed to get a full pint from me, which means it can't be used for transfusions apparently (or that's what they used to tell me). It could be used in labs or for some other purpose (I forget what), but after lots of donations which didn't feel that useful, it always felt a bit pointless.

I’m on my 30th donation and I hope to do it until I die, to me it’s a civic duty like voting. I’ve had two family members receive life saving transfusions. I think it’s such a shame you can’t take children with you anymore, when mine were little it was helpful to explain to them that they took the blood out of my arm and put it into uncle Dave’s to make him better.

I also loathe needles, even the sight of them never mind in me, and keep my eyes clamped shut for the entire time, but I've managed to give blood nearly 40 times in my life.
If someone as needle hating as me can do it, most folk can! (Unless true phobia, I understand that would be impossible).

Honestly all blood is useful! Unless you’ve been told you can’t donate for medical reasons they want all types of blood.

to the person who worried about their veins collapsing, it really isn’t an issue. I know someone who’s done 100 donations and they are absolutely fine.

Good on you op. I started donating regularly after my then 1 yr old had a blood transfusion and also platelets. For a while I had "gold" blood so could donate platelets. Then twin pregnancy and I have antibodies so it's back to general full blood. I'm B+ which I hear is quite rare so that's some comfort that my blood is needed

Ooh, no, O+ is one they need urgently so great that you're going!! And you honestly don't even see the needle (I always look away anyway!) - and my donation was done in 6 minutes today, so it's quick.

I used to be a regular blood done.

You didn't need to book an appointment just turn up.

Some bright spark decided to make it appointments only and I couldn't get times to suit me.

This was many years ago but why don't they reintroduce this practise ?

I’m already booked in to donate Monday, have been a regular donor for a good few years now. Had a couple of times when I failed the iron test but generally I have no issues. Sounds like they are desperate for type O and I’m B+ but they’ll get it regardless!

I signed myself off temporarily as peri was bashing me too hard but am feeling better now, maybe I should see if they'll take me back!

All the sessions I’ve gone to are chock a block with booked slots which I guess is easier to manage for them than people turning up randomly and having to wait.

The shortage is due to a cyber attack a while back.

Most people don't have ulcers regularly. And the rules are that it's fine to donate as long as the ulcer (s) have healed and you only get them occasionally. Because as pp says, they could be caused by something that would make your blood unsafe to use.

I went tonight to donate for the first time, but they couldn't find a vein... tbh, the nurse barely even tried, just told me I'd need to drink 5 litres and try another time. It's always been a problem trying to find my veins, so can't imagine it'll be any different another day. oh well..

Wish I could but I had a transfusion after a PPH so am not allowed :-( I had tried when I was younger but was turned down as I’d been having cardiac investigations. I feel guilty that I never managed to do it. Thank you very much to those who do - I always wonder whose blood I received and am very grateful for it.

The soonest I can see for my local donation place is an appointment in one and half month's time...my last 2 times I tried to donate blood I got sent a cancellation message the day before or on the day due to staffing reasons or some such, which has put me off it a bit, I must admit.

I'm A+ which I can see they're a bit low on, but dread arranging my day around the appointment for it to possibly just be cancelled again...

I have never donated. I used to be scared but think I am over that now. You have encouraged me to do it!
A great, selfless post!

Did you know in Poland you get a paid day off to donate, And the day after too - bet more people would with that incentive.

I suffered a mmc in 2014. I then haemorrhaged when my body tried to pass the foetus and I lost 2l of blood, I am quite literally only still here thanks to the donations of others. I thank every single one of you. DH signed up to give blood, and I am on the platelet register.

The queue to get on to the blood donation website is never ending this evening.

I’m in the queue and my queuing time is going up! I’m O- and they regularly call me to book in, but not recently!

Since covid my local donor centre has stopped offering the post donation cup of tea and the squash they offer instead of 🤢

VWT5
I love this new thing where the NBTS follow up and show you where your blood donation is sent for use. I was particularly chuffed that they sent mine 200 miles away to a hospital in Devon (where my DD had coincidentally had transfusions after his cancer diagnosis).

I like this too! I'm a newbie to donating as I tried years ago and couldn't - weight was too low (those were the days!!) then ill or low iron on days of donation. Also having had lots of blood tests as a teenager I was a bit scared so I don't think it took much to put me off. The thank you texts and updates of where your blood is feels quite personal.

It is a great plea from the OP for someone to take their donating place! And to hear how others have donated for years and are only stoping for health reasons. Also to hear the benefits from recipients.

I've done a couple of donations now and as O- feel a bit guilty for not persisting in the past. However I'll keep going now I've started. The staff are lovely and it feels a nice community of giving something back.

Parking has been free and plentiful so I've not had problems others have mentioned.
There's always lots of water, juice, tea and a variety of biscuits afterwards.

If you can, give it a go and take a friend!!

They closed my local centre and it is impossible to get an appointment at the next nearest one