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 just checked and they only want those with A+, A- and AB- blood 😔 my blood is so useless (although obviously handy if I ever need a transfusion because I can take from 100% of population but only give to 2%)

I had to have emergency surgery and a blood transfusion during cancer treatment. As she hooked up the blood, the nurse said "This is from someone in Manchester" (I'm in the NE) Thank you so much to all of you blood donors, what you do is amazing, a life saving gift to a stranger. I am so thankful.

As this poster explained further down the thread, AB+ women are very rarely needed. AB+ men are used for plasma. If you're an AB+ woman they ask you not to donate in normal circumstances (blood, plasma, or platelets); they keep you on file and contact you if needed.

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.

Yes, that's correct. You have to have a break between the two, so it's really inefficient to keep switching back and forth because you'd be able to donate much less frequently. Usually the difference between whole blood and platelet donors is blood type - if you have the types more useful for platelets and are near a platelet centre, they'll ask you to switch.

You might be thinking about plasma, which is a wider set of blood groups (like whole blood), but still you can't mix and match between that and whole blood or platelets.

I'd like to switch to plasma; you can donate much more frequently than whole blood. But I'm 2 hours away from the nearest donor centre so it's not practical for now.

I wanted to donate so much- was booked in for it then had to cancel because I got pregnant. So planned to do it when I could after the baby, but at 24 weeks we both nearly died and I had to have 3 blood transfusions in one go! So no longer allowed to give blood because of some precaution they take now 😓
Thank you to all the people who donate- you may have been one of the people who saved both mine and my baby’s life that day 🙂

I was a very regular donor, until I had a massive haemorrhage giving birth to my first child and had to have several units of blood to bring me back round (receiving blood is magical - I could literally feel the life returning to my body). That baby is turning 17 in a few weeks so will be taking up the mantle and donating blood in my place, as I no longer can.

Those platelet people, is that ok to donate if you're low on iron?

No. It's the same requirements as for giving blood. Also, you have to have donated blood in the past 2 years, so if you've been turned away for longer than that because of low haemoglobin, then you wouldn't be eligible anyway.

That’s brilliant he’s doing that and cares at such a young age. It baffles me that there’s not more adults donating blood, like they’d be happy to receive it but must think it grows on trees. My husband can’t donate due to having septicaemia as a child but I definitely want to teach our child about donating and how it saved all of our lives x

You are a universal donor. It is wonderful that you donate. O neg blood is so needed for emergencies when there is no time to type and crossmatch.

My DH is O neg. He loved donating and seeing where his blood went. Sadly, he cannot donate right now due to hypertension and a cancer diagnosis.

I’m AB+ and haven’t donated for years and years because they told me they don’t need it. 🥲
I always used to treat myself to a Jacob’s Club after donating.

Thanks this thread has just prompted me to book my pre Christmas donation - despite being sent to Whamhalla twice in the last 4 years while given blood. I love that my donation schedule means I always end up giving in the run up to Christmas I always feels extra special when I donate in December.

I've just got a text- mine has gone to Stoke Mandeville hospital.
I'm so glad I finally donated, and can't believe it took me this long. I'm counting down the days until I can donate again.

I received 2 units of the finest Barnsley O neg yesterday I got to sit in a comfy chair for 6 hours with my feet up during my transfusion.

There were 15 of us having transfusions
.
My previous transfusion was 2 weeks ago I have blood cancer and my blood count was incredibly low, I kept fainting and very anaemic.

Think I will post Barnsley donorcentre a thank you card!

Thank you everyone who has donated and those wanting to take the next step xx

Is anyone AB+? I don't think mine is needed ! Sadly as my darling dad had many blood transfusions when he was poorly and I'd like to pay it back

It's worth registering anyway, and they can contact you if there's an emergency need. But you're right that AB+ women in general are asked not to donate because the proportion of people who can receive it (only other AB+) is outweighed by the cost of administration.