Blood donation

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From the age of 16 until 34 I gave blood semi regularly. I had to stop for a few years due to the drugs I was on but when I was able I tried to make an appointment with the blood service only to be told that they have no need for my blood. Never, for years. I do have quite a rare type but it seems odd given that I live in the biggest city in the UK and I've just seen an urgent call for donors. Has anyone else had this experience?

I'm the opposite - common type and they will phone to ask me to come in

Is suspect it's the rarity - if your blood group can recieve other types of blood but only be used for a very small selection then they may not need to risk wastage

Are you AB- or something?

What’s your blood group? I’m A- and donated yesterday for the first time in ages and I was getting 15+ calls a day asking me to go donate. I had to have anti D in pregnancy with being Rhesus negative and my son was born A positive so I was wondering if it was my rhesus factor with so many calls asking for me to book in

We are in London:

I am 0 negative and the nurse who told me I can't donate nearly cried as they need blood so urgently. I have issues with low blood pressure, fainting and migraines so they say it's not safe for me.

DH is 0 positive and also gets calls, he had to stop due to medication and they asked when he can come in again.

DH can see where his blood is being used, it goes all around London and outside sometimes it stays at Guys or similar, but often it goes north or south of the M25 as well.

IIRC the rarer blood groups are sought after for donating plasma - could you explore that. I don't know the details as I am O- so they always want my blood.

Were you turned away years ago or recently? I think it would be worth getting in touch with them to double check. You can message them on social media, or just give them a ring on 0300 123 23 23 and talk it through to make sure you're both on the same page!

AB- is rare but also not required much
The blood donation website should have a link showing the stocks they hold of each type too.
I'm in Scotland and the scotblood website shows current stocks.

What blood type are you?

I'm AB negative. I get that's it's going to be less in demand but they've not needed me once in seven years when previously I was welcomed with open arms into the centre...it seems to have coincided with the change of provider running the blood service. I had an idea that they could separate out blood products, even if they couldn't use the whole sample.

I will look into donating plasma, good call.

I rang today!