Giving blood - experiences?

[apprenticeison]

Do you give blood? I’ve long thought about it but had very heavy periods (now gone). Seeing the headings about the lack of blood I’m thinking I should. However I’m wondering if I’ll cause more issues than help: I’ve fainted when I’ve had blood tests, so nowadays I must lie down and stay horizontal for a while after. And that’s when I only give a small amount so reading that they take a pint makes me wonder if it’s a bad idea.

Anyone else have any experience or thoughts to share?

Problem is now blood donating is done during working hours and in places where parking is an issue.

People who want to register to give blood discover that their nearest blood donating place is 15 miles plus away and only operate 10am-3pm two days a week if its not in a blood donating centre.

So agree with everyone who has said they make it virtually impossible to donate. Where used to work they had clinic every 8 weeks at church hall. Company used to allow people to donate in work time....lots of up-take. Must have had 150 pints just from my large employer. Now nearest place is Luton, have to take a day off work, and even then no parking, no appointments for 6 months. No wonder they are short of supplies.

I've given blood and felt no different afterwards and I'm only 9 stone. I used to feel faint having blood taken but I think it was more the thought of the needle than the actual loss of blood.

The tests aren't always totally accurate, the antibodies they detect can take a long while to appear at high enough concentrations to detect and lots of other variables. I'd rather they were cautious.

I'm another 50+ donations person who has seen a lot of changes to the process over the years. I have never fainted but have to take it easy for the rest of the day, I get light headed if I run up the stairs for example. But all good otherwise. I so agree about the difficulty of getting appointments though.

They have popcorn at our session but only one bag left by the time I got there - popular choice. Mint clubs are fab😄

I find it easy - I'm just a smallish woman and I can manage it. Main thing is to eat plenty beforehand and you can cope. The whole thing will take about an hour, and eat plenty after as well.

I always have crisps. Even the smell of a mint club would be likely to make me feel faint, I feel nauseous at the smell of mint chocolate at the best of times.

So if any of you mint club eaters spot a crisp eater beating a hasty retreat from sitting next to you its nothing personal!

I have been donating for three years and the centre where I donate is open until 7 in the evening. I lived overseas for 25 years (including China) and my first donation went through some additional screening, but was accepted.

Orange club's all the way here! For years my children have relied on 'mum's emergency orange club' which I always stash in my handbag as I never feel hungry after donating - it is literally the stuff of legends in my family I always have lemon squash too, and I always think why don't I buy lemon squash? It's really nice! Then I look at it in the shop and think nah - it'll lose its special quality if it's on tap at home!