Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel miffed that they don't want my blood?

88 replies

clam · 19/12/2010 11:31

OK, so am RH O Negative, which is always particularly in demand as it can be given to anyone of any blood type. Have heard that stocks are really low at the moment and they are pleading with people to donate. I've been donating on and off for 30 years.
Phoned up the National Blood Service to say "I'm here!! Clam to the rescue!" but they weren't in the least bit grateful and said they're too busy until January 12th to fit me in!

I was hoping for a fast-tracked system this week, whereby I'd overtake everyone else in the queue and be given a special seat with a cushion and extra nice biscuits.

So, AIBU? Xmas Grin

OP posts:
TrillianAstra · 19/12/2010 11:34

YANBU at all, you should definitely be given priority over those of us with lesser blood types.

I am A positive, which is less useful (but actually very common so lots of people do want it) but it looks like A+ Xmas Grin

pawsnclaws · 19/12/2010 11:36

They can't fit me in till end of January either, but I'm sure your blood is very much valued!

Last time I went they had much fancier biscuits and even cheese and onion crisps - unfortunately I didn't get anything nice because I managed to faint (embarrassing or what). I'm not sure the volunteers at the biscuit table are allowed to practise any kind of blood group apartheid though so I'm sure we'll all get the same biscuits!

bandgeek · 19/12/2010 11:37

I suppose with Christmas they might be lower staffed but I would've thougt they could've fitted you in before 12th Jan!

I always feel sad that I can't give blood anymore bcause I had a transfusion when I had DD . I used to give it fairly regularly too as I'm AB Positive which is fairly unusual too

bandgeek · 19/12/2010 11:38

too twice! New Year Resolution is start proof reading my posts Grin

pawsnclaws · 19/12/2010 11:38

Oh and I'm O+ so unfortunately that probably makes me the Cher Lloyd of the blood group world rather than the Cheryl Cole ...

grumpypants · 19/12/2010 11:38

I started doing the online can i donate blood thing, and was told possibly not, as have had operations in the past (4 c sections). Was quite embarassed by all those [whispers] sex questions too Blush - i am o neg so will have to ring to see if the sections disqualify me.

pawsnclaws · 19/12/2010 11:40

grumpypants, what sex questions?! Are you sure you weren't on some sex hotline?! I've had 2 cs and gave blood 9 months after the last one.

Balthasar · 19/12/2010 11:43

I can't give blood as I have had a blood transfusion in 2007. That shows a lot of faith in the integrity of the blood I've received doesn't it.

Original poster
clam · 19/12/2010 11:43

I don't recall any sex questions. Apart from "are you male or female?"

OP posts:
curlymama · 19/12/2010 11:45

Couldn't you travel a bit further afield to get to a blood donation session. I sometimes can't make the one that is closest to me so I try and go to one in the next town along.

But then last time I went, I sniffed in front of the nurse, he asked me if I had a cold. I said I was fine, because I really was, but that I'd had a very mild cold the previous week. And that meant that they didn't want my blood either, so I got sent home without donating because of one little sniff!

StewieGriffinsMom · 19/12/2010 11:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

grumpypants · 19/12/2010 11:48

oh. I followed a link someone posted on here yesterday, and it started asking all about sex with men who'd slept with men....will try to find it.

TheBigZing · 19/12/2010 11:49

I have tried to donate, got to the point of lying on the chair and they couldn't find any suitable veins. I think my larger veins run quite deep. When I was pg the midwife failed to find a vein too, so I had to get bloods taken at hospital.

I was gutted not to be able to donate and still feel cheated Sad

SummerRain · 19/12/2010 11:50

Grin Balthasar

I've never attempted to give blood... I've always been borderline anaemic so was under the impression they wouldn't take mine but i'm going to try when they're in town on the 7th and find out for sure.

I'm bog standard O+... apparently over here all the O- is reserved for newborn babies who need transfusions of operations as it's the universal donor and they don't need to blood test them before giving it

grumpypants · 19/12/2010 11:51

www.blood.co.uk/can-i-give-blood/donor-health-check/

Question 12 onwards [prude emoticon]

Nancy66 · 19/12/2010 11:55

I think the sex questions they ask you are hilarious - wonder if they give the same ones to little old ladies.

have you ever paid for sex?
Do you practice anal sex?
have you ever had sex with somebody that may have paid for sex?

pawsnclaws · 19/12/2010 11:55

Ah, now when I've been in person they give you the questions to look at before you go in, and I'm assuming that anyone who needed to answer yes (and therefore couldn't give blood) would discreetly leave - have never been asked that directly. Mind you, having trouble remembering the last time with anyone .....

KenDoddsDadsDogEatsTinsel · 19/12/2010 12:24

There was an article in the paper yesterday clamouring for O negative donors. Thought that would have warranted a chocolate biscuit at least.

FairyTaleOfNewYork · 19/12/2010 12:30

am o neg. last time i tried to donate they couldnt take my blood as i was breastfeedimg a 1yr old, it was a heatwave and they didnt want to make me unwell.

i will try again next summer, and next winter.

Original poster
clam · 19/12/2010 12:35

Exactly KenDodd If they're clamouring for O Neg people, why blow me out until mid-Jan? There are sessions running locally this week but they're full - presumably with O Positive Cher Lloyd types! Hence my idea of VIP treatment for moi.

OP posts:
canyou · 19/12/2010 12:37

I am in Irl and during times of crisis/ low supplies they draft in the army and navy they get lined up drained and sent home for the day. There is a great up take from the services at the moment as donation means a day off shovel snow and clearing paths of ice Xmas Grin
Clam donations tail off after Christmas so your donation will be greatly appreciated then esp if this cold spell continues.

orangepoo · 19/12/2010 12:39

I am shocked they can't fit you in until January. Blood stocks are low. They seem to come to each particular location every couple of months or similar, but if you search on the website, you might find the next few close ish ones to you to attend. Also, our local hospital has a permanent donation unit - you can go any time and they'll take the blood - there is a sign outside it begging for blood right now. They keep begging me as I have given blood before. I am anaemic at the moment so I can't do it, but they won't stop begging despite me telling them this.

Original poster
clam · 19/12/2010 12:43

Ive managed ( Hmm ) to make an appointment at a mobile unit further afield for New Year's Eve, but even so. I guess that the fact the man on the phone made it seem like he was doing me a favour is a side issue though.

OP posts:
butternut234 · 19/12/2010 12:46

I know what you mean. I am O- too but live in Australia, where I cannot give blood at all due to the potential Mad Cow inside me - grr!

cyanarasamba · 19/12/2010 12:59

Just wanted to come on here and say thanks for your persistence.

My eight week old has already received 2 transfusions in her short life. We are expecting a diagnosis of a rare blood disorder and if she does not respond to medication may need transfusions for life.