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?

Just popping in to thank all you fabulous donors. It’s frustrating that those of us who have had a transfusion can’t donate but understandable.
I’m so grateful to those who can and do.
❤️❤️❤️

I’m A negative so wonder if the negative ones are better suited to those babies? 💙🩷

yes! A bit of peace and quiet, some orange squash and a mint club - perfection haha!

Amazing! So glad to hear your lad is doing well 💙

I donate as my grandad received lots of blood transfusions in the 80s and early 90s and it gave him a few more years of living - it’s my way of saying thank you to all those people who had donated then.

Mine went to Colchester too!

This is such a lovely idea to keep people donating 🥰 I'm on a ban for repeated fainting and really miss donating regardless. It felt like such an important thing to do

I LOVE finding out where my blood went!!

I'm due to donate but recently been on medications that would prevent me so I'm biding my time for another few weeks

I had no idea that the texts were a thing, but a previous poster also in Scotland answered that for me. I do know that it won't go to neonates due to the meds I'm on. Very happy they'll still take it.
I always give when possible - dropped off an armful last week.

I love it too. I'm O neg and CMV negative so it tends to go to neo natal. It makes me feel all pleased with myself to be helping poorly babies.

My next donation will be my 25th time. I've had to have a break as my iron was a bit low so been taking iron tablets. Hoping it is high enough as I think if you have three failed donations in a row because of low iron I think they stop you donating.

I got a little badge and a certificate through the post when I hit 25 donations - it was very nice!

This is such a lovely thread.
I'm not in the UK but donate at our local hospital so I know where it goes.
I know at one session the blood was used within hours to save a child's life.

@Woahtherehoney perhaps you are CMV free too and that's why it goes to neonates?

Found a reference to CMV https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations/whole-blood-donation/pediatric-patient-cmv.html#:~:text=As%20with%20other%20viruses%2C%20once,to%20CMV%20(CMV%20negative).

Mine went to St Bartholomew's.

I love getting the texts too.

Oh wow I didn’t know that donors get a text. I needed a transfusion after giving birth so haven’t been allowed to donate since then

Thank you donors, you've saved my life!!! 😍❤

Thank you so much!! my nephew was born premature and need a few transfusions during his NICU stay. It’s down to people like you that he’s now a happy, smiley thriving 5 month old!

This means so much to hear as a donator. Every time I go I think of the people who will be helped. I also love getting the text.

That’s a great point made by someone up thread that the bikers who deliver the blood to hospitals around the county are all volunteers. (Like the blood donors themselves) None are paid for their time.

The NHS may be broken beyond repair YET there are these pockets of pure human kindness. Altruism and selflessness keeping a precious resource going, saving lives every day.

Makes me feel proud to be a small part of this.

I like getting the texts too. Ive been told my blood goes to a baby unit, but Im B positive so find it a bit confusing?

I donated for the 1st time just over a week ago. Haven't had any texts yet.
Can anyone tell me will you always get a text? If you don't get one, could that mean that they haven't been able to use your blood either because there was an issue with it when it was tested, or they just haven't needed to use it yet? I'm assuming they would contact me in some way if they are unable to use it for any reason in order to prevent me donating again?
I'm O- so in demand I think.

@Waffle12 think the blood goes for processing first and sometimes there is a delay- here is what I was sent last time

They are amazing aren't they - getting blood round to hospitals where needed.

Tell your friend's husband - he's amazing!

@RainPleaseGoAway you might be CMV free. That may be why your blood is used for babies.

That's brilliant!

I'm on 41 donations. I've been donating on and off since 1990, but have had periods of time off for pregnancy, illness, travelling, and then because I had been travelling.

I've got about a dozen on a record card from pre-digital records.

You don't always get a text.
Sometimes your blood is used for research rather than as a direct donation to a person.
It's an equally valid and important donation though.