Just found out where my most recent blood donation went

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

I love getting that text. This time I also got an email with a link to Google maps so I could see the journey my blood went on. It went to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, via the processing plant in Colindale. If I hadn't already booked my next appointment this would have spurred me on to do it, so (for me, anyway) this is a really effective bit of marketing. Anyone else, or am I just a weirdo?

I am always amazed how far the blood travels . Love getting the text

Your poor dd I've never heard of that happening before, my own dd has v heavy periods and that's bad enough. Did you ever find out why her period wouldn't stop and was it a one off?

God how scary for you, were you having symptoms so got the blood test done? V scary!

I can’t donate - but a massive thank you to everyone who does - I needed 12 bags of blood during emergency section in 2018 and it saved my life. So grateful to everyone who donates 🩷🩷🩷🩷

That's amazing! I donated for almost 20 years then few years ago failed the drop test. Been having issues with low iron since and gastroenterology now think I have Crohns or UC, so I'm not sure I'll be able to donate again? Makes me very sad, and I have a rare blood type, too.

I'll be telling more people about all the info you get post-donation, though! Hopefully more people will start to donate. :)

Similar idea - when DP died I gave permission for organ donation. They couldn't use his organs but I had a letter to say that his heart valve tissue had been used to save the life of a 10 day old baby. That was a real gulp.

I wish I could donate blood. It’s such a great thing to do

I'm alive because of donated blood so thank you, unfortunately now can't donate but I did before.

My last one went to Manchester Royal infirmary, I love getting the text, whoever came up with that was a genius.

I can’t donate any more - thank you so much to everyone who can and does, it’s an amazing gift ❤️

Love this thread and also love getting the texts. I think I’ve donated 13 times now and my blood has gone to all over East Anglia (live in London so makes sense!) but once it went as far as Lancaster Royal Infirmary. Never been to Lancashire 😆

I love knowing where mine has gone, I just wish they'd stop cancelling my sessions, tried to donate twice in the last 3 months and they've both been cancelled on the day!
So I'm rebooked again in the hope of being successful next time.

@curious79 I had a bad session a few years ago now, I let the trainee loose on me, I said yes, they did ask! She caught a nerve too. However the next time I went back I made a big point of saying I had a bad session last time, this happened etc and so they got their best needle person to deal with me and I did this for a few more sessions after. So go and say, if you feel up to it, they are very sympathetic to a bad experience, or we're in my case at least!

I donated for the first time on Friday. I had no idea that I’ll find out where it goes, that’s brilliant.

I’ve tried to book my next appointment, but there is nothing at the hospital donor centre (a 20 minute walk away) for the next year and a half!

My DD had so many units of blood and platelets during her cancer treatment. I always planned to ‘pay them back’ if I could, but didn’t get around to it for various reasons until now.

And huge thanks to you who do. I will be getting your blood in the near future for my transfusions.

Whenever I see the blood carrying motorbikes zipping around our area I mentally thank those of you who take time to be uncomfortable for a while to help and save others.

You are very lovely people.

Sadly, I can no longer donate... but just to say Broomfield has an amazing burns and plastics unit, too. So whoever your donation went to, you have made a real difference to someone's life.

I'm A+ and I think they're awash with that but I still donate as I like to do my bit, even if it's not especially needed. My last donation went to Leicester where I haven't been for years! I've timed it so I do my 25th donation in the first week of '25.... I'm easily amused.

I'm O Neg so universal donor - my last donations went to Birmingham, Farnborough, Cornwall, UCH and Bath - I love knowing where they went and think it's amazing how it's all tracked.

I love the texts too, mine has been sent all around the country. Once it went to the hospital where I work which was lovely.

How do you know if it's gone to neonatal? Does it say in the text or do they tell you when you donate?

That's wonderful, OP. When l had my transfusions eight years ago, l was told (I forget how, now) that my donors were in Sheffield (I was in Leeds).
I'm just so disappointed that l can't pay it back. I didn't know until after my transfusion that if you've had one, you can't donate after that.
Thank you so much, everyone who donates. You really are lifesavers.

Whatabouteryallaboutery
I'm A+, and l was given two units, so thank you!

*Pancakeflipper *
My friend's husband is a blood biker, and l think it's just an amazing, selfless thing to do. He's a lorry driver, but he does this too. It's just wonderful.

I am unable to donate these days but when I did, my blood always went to a specialist heart and chest unit for children. I had something in my blood that was useful (can't remember what it was).

I often think that there are people out there who have no idea that thanks to them my children grew up with a mummy.

@Whatabouteryallaboutery A+ is really useful for planned transfusions where the recipient’s blood type is known as we’re almost as common as O+ (more common in many countries).

Mine went to Hastings during lockdown which was very exciting when the rest of me hadn’t been more than about five miles from home in so long! Most recent donation went to Lincoln, where the rest of me has never been.

That's really interesting to know, thank you.