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 recently given my 51st. Anyone that can, should.

I'm 0- and try to donate regularly. Unfortunately it's very difficult to get an appointment round me, so often can't donate more than once a year - my next appointment isn't until January! A shame but hopefully means lots of local donors rather than lack of infrastructure. Shall try and get a nearer appointment!

They seem to have closed all the local ones that were held at village halls etc. I now have to go into town and pay £7 to park. When I went a couple of weeks ago the only time they had available was a sunday wheras I used to be able to go on a week day evening when they did local collections.

OP, my last two donation attempts have failed. Same issue that you have. If i can get in the website to book, I will try again ASAP, but how many failed attempts did you have before they wrote you off? They were very vague when I asked about it.

So up until 3 years ago I wasn't eligible to give blood. I've just found out that I am now because your post made me look to see if there had been changes in the legislation - there have.

I will now give blood for the first time when I get the opportunity. I'm not sure how to go about this though, as I've never given.

I'm a bit miffed that I've been eligible for 3 years, and I don't feel there was much promotion about the changes, therefore I didn't realise.

I would have also argued the toss saying I couldn't in an everyday conversation.

So your post has done two things. Firstly, I will be a new giver of blood. Secondly, you've saved me some embarrassment by potentially arguing with someone that I'm not eligible.

My local centre is a LDS church so not allowed tea or coffee in the building for afterwards, apart from that it's all good. Hoping to give again in sept as last time I couldn't donate due to being a tad anemic, will remember the iron tablets this time!

Sorry @outforblood - should have tagged you in above.

I'll never be able to donate my blood. My health condition has prevented me and will do for the rest of my life.

I can't unfortunately but absolutely would.

Did my 53rd donation of O+ yesterday and always try to get new donors to come. The cheese biscuits are back so will sign up for 16 weeks time as soon as possible. Well done OP for putting a reminder up - please everyone who can try and donate.

I wish I could but allegedly having been given a transfusion post crash C-section, I am not allowed in case I pass the CJD they might have given me with the transfusion, onto someone else. I might check if I did actually have a transfusion, you literally couldn't tell the difference between the whites of my nails and the rest of them and I was that sort of opaque, milky yellowy white for weeks after.

If anyone is thinking of signing up here is the link

www.blood.co.uk

The app is really good and makes booking really easy.

I think I won't be far behind you, OP. The number of times they fail to get a vein is gradually increasing. I've been donating all my adult life.

I give plasma as there's a centre I can get to fairly easily. It's much better for me as I tend towards low iron, but they do need a better vein as they have to take out the blood and replace the reduced-plasma-blood. In theory plasma can be donated every two weeks, but I'm nervous about my last vein, so go every 3-4 weeks. Maybe I'll still be able to donate whole blood if my plasma-suitable vein gives up.

I plan to go on as long as I can. Like you, I find it very life-affirming. And they have crisps!

I would love to but they retired me recently. I have never had a failed donation but often they would get the most experienced person over because my veins are tricky.

I went to a different donation centre to usual and they refused to even try.

TBH it really upset me. I have been donating since I was 18 and am the only person in my family able to donate (one diabetic, one previous transfusion, one due to medication and a fainter).

I really wish I could, but after a fair few non eventful donations I started to have awful problems with feeling really faint towards the end of the donation so had to give up. I did try again after a 15 year gap, but felt horribly faint again. If anyone would like to go in my place I'd love that.

@outforblood excellent user name 😁

I can't donate blood either which annoys me because I'm also a rare group.
I've got anemia so they won't let me.

I am on a register for bone marrow donation though should anyone need that!

I used to donate but after a MC I developed antibodies and was told I can no longer donate. I also have to carry a card with special instructions in case I ever need a transfusion. I am actually right on the cusp now age wise, but do feel sad for all the years I couldn't donate. Big thanks to everyone who does.

Not allowed or I would. Such a small thing that can make such a difference. There used to be huge campaigns about it, not seen anything for ages though. Interesting how many people aren't able to though, I assumed it was quite rare to be disallowed (I have an autoimmune condition, I was actually surprised to learn my blood was no longer wanted as as far as I know it's in no way catching...)

I'm about to come to the top of the queue finally. Will have been about 45- 50 minutes in all.

I feel bad because my blood type is in demand but am currently ineligible because of vaccines + travel - I’ll be donating again in 6 months when I’m allowed!

Thank you op. I’m not allowed because of one of the countries I’ve lived in… but I would really like to

I can’t donate as I’ve had multiple transfusions but thank you and thank you to everyone who has and currently donates blood. You saved my life and countless others too! You are lifesavers and superstars, thank you for taking the time and putting the energy into donating 🥰

We all need to actively encourage men to donate blood.

Women are really not the ideal candidates and many many women have low iron but still pass the blood test.

I used to donate but then the Blood service rang one day and asked me to consider donating Plasma instead, so that is what I do now. There are only 3 plasma donation centres in the country - Birmingham, Reading and Twickenham.

I've done 60+ donations, but my blood is B so not a lot of use, and not what they're short of at the moment.