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?

Thank you to all the donators. I needed 6 blood transfusions recently after I gave birth and needed life saving surgery and I was forever grateful it was available 🥰

Fairly new, I think. They've really upped their game in recent years in response to most of the population having smartphones and internet access. It's really easy to book an appointment online if you can find one to suit, or to cancel/re-arrange. I live in London so have a huge choice of places to donate, and I'm retired, so have no constraints over time. I know it's not nearly so easy in many other parts of the country and for people who work, but at least it's better to see what's available online. They used to send an appointment by letter and if it was no good you had the hassle of trying to re-arrange it over the phone.

That's lovely OP. I can't donate but DD does and her blood has ro subtypes so is usd to treat sickle cell patients. Hera seems to go to St George's hospital in London where they have a large specialist unit

I think it's great that they tell you where it's going. I wish I could donate but not possible

I'm in Scotland and we don't get the texts. I do wonder where my blood goes to! Currently on a break as my haemoglobin wasn't high enough to donate last time.

I’d love that!

The last time I gave blood it knocked me sick, it felt like the needle was touching a nerve. After that the lovely vein I had disappeared, so I’ve never donated since.

I love the texts too.
I have quite unusual blood (<4% of people), and my blood can be given to sickle cell patients. A couple of times, when I've been a big, city centre donation centre, my blood has left the building on a motorbike before I've finished my squash!

Mine too! They tell me when I donate that my blood is earmarked for neonates. Makes me rejoice.

For those who are inspired by this thread just google
blood.co.uk
takes you to the donor website and you can find out if, and, where you can give

i love getting the texts too, they’ve been doing it since 2016
I reached my 50th donation last month

I love getting that text, such a boost! My most recent went to Sunderland. I’m a Newcastle fan. But I‘m more than happy to help a Mackem out with a pint of blood!

I would love to see those messages, I haven’t donated for nearly 20 years but at the time I did you were never told your donations journey. I have given 15 pints myself, I received 6 back as a transfusion following a bad accident. I am no longer eligible to donate but I am forever grateful for those that do.

Yes I love seeing where my blood goes, and the extra info they give you now.

I am the rare RO subgroup which only 4% of people have. It’s desperately needed for people with Sickle Cell Disease. So my blood always goes to specialist hospitals. It’s fascinating and really spurs me on to donate regularly.

I agree the texts are a genius move, I believe that little boost keeps many of us donating (despite all the session closures and the inconvenience if you live far like me!)

I am donating my 40th pint next week and have been a donor since the age of 18 when I lived in a different country - 'recruited' by a nursing student flatmate, I think of her every time I donate 🙂. Only stopped for a few years after giving birth due to very low iron levels.

It's made me tear up a bit reading OPs experiences and thank-yous 😊

Hadn’t thought about this - do they take it from the bendy bit of your arm?

Thank you for this valuable gift. I’m unable to donate but DH has had six units this past year during cancer treatment.

thank you too to everyone one else that reads this and donates blood. My DH is able to have a life due to your kindness and my life is better too because of it 💐❤️💐❤️💐

The crook of your elbow, yes. I've made 25 donations and never had a problem. The blood service are generally very skilled at getting your vein without causing any problems.

My last donation went to Stafford County Hospital.
I also love knowing where it goes.

I was asked about donating platelets-I was told it is either one or the other but not both so my understanding is once you go the platelet route that's what you donate. But do check for sure-that's def the impression I received.

I give as often as I can and always book the next appointment immediately but my appointment for next week has already been cancelled.
Is it just my particular area or is it widespread?
So disappointing-and it happens a lot.

But am still getting messages asking me to donate etc

Thank you to all you donors! My prem baby had a transfusion & one awful night when I was very ill I had a 15 unit transfusion. You really do save lives!

I wish they could get blood out of me 😭 I used to donate but the last 2 times they wouldn't even try putting a needle in because they weren't confident of finding a vein. I did all the things, like hydrating and keeping that arm warm.

They didn’t use to do this, when I was donating. It’s a great idea! They no longer want my blood because I’ve had cancer.

It was someone like you who saved my baby's life back in 2010 when I came so close to losing him. The blood transfusion saved his life.

He'll be 14 in a few days times, and I have always wondered about the person who donated. I wish I could say a personal thank you, but for now I will thank everyone who donates.

How strange, I was reading this thread and saying to DH that I hope my blood is used. Donated for the first time 2 weeks ago and a minute later a text comes through saying my blood has been used at Birmingham Children’s Hospital which is quite far from my home in Devon!

group O positive blood is really sort after. A man of any blood group can be give your blood in an emergency .
Women need O neg.

Group O is the ‘universal donor and much less common than group A.

I’d love to but I’m low in iron so can’t.

@Woahtherehoney mine tends to go to neonates too. I am O neg and have never had CMV so they like my blood for that. Maybe you are the same?
I like donating blood, you get to lie down and then have tea and a club biscuit with no guilty feelings for doing either in the middle of the day. 😁