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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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?

OP posts:

nickeldonkeybethlehemsinsight · 23/12/2010 17:04

I'm pretty sure that the operator was talking bollocks Mrs

my blood's A+, too, but i am on a 12-month ban because of weak blood - i can give again in March (which never works because my blood doesn't like to come out in the cold weather)

PeeringIntoAFestiveVoid · 23/12/2010 18:55

Gah!! I'm still annoyed with the blood service, so I'm glad to read this thread and find out I'm not the only one.

Year before last they put out an urgent appeal for O neg, which I am, and I drove miles through SW London the day before Xmas eve to donate. They then refused me because I have endometriosis. I was really pissed off as had wasted half a day and didn't get to feel virtuous felt patronised that I wasn't allowed make the decision for myself whether to donate. Cue lots of dark looks and bitter muttering when NBS letters come for DP (who just got his 25 donations certificate ).

So they've urgently appealed again now for O neg, and when I rang (figured I just wouldn't mention the endometriosis), they can't book me into a morning appt anywhere local until March! I've booked an afternoon one in late Jan (first available), but will have to take blood-phobic DD who will create merry hell throughout, no doubt.

panettoinydog · 23/12/2010 19:02

yabu. I would assume the blood people know what they are about.

QueeferSantaland · 23/12/2010 19:04

I wish I could donate but I was previously an IV drug user. I've had test for all sorts, and I'm clean, thank heavens, so I wish they would take it.

It's awkward when people ask if you do, and you have to make um-ing noises.
I have bumsex now and then too!

Can you still not donate if you are gay? Or am I thinking about sperm. Not on IMO.

Rebeccaruby · 23/12/2010 19:21

How do you know what your blood group is? Is it only if you give blood that they tell you? I've never given blood because I hate needles .

PeeringIntoAFestiveVoid · 23/12/2010 19:40

Actually panettoinydog I don't think they necessarily do.

5ofus · 23/12/2010 19:41

It was always on of the things I'd get around to doing but now I can't as I had a blood transfusion a year ago. I feel like I owe the "system" 7 units of blood I'll never be able to give - plus some plasma and some platelets! Perhaps I can convince DP....

ragged · 23/12/2010 19:43

Oh that's good, Clam.
I have bad reactions so don't donate anymore.
My blood is AB+ which is next to useless anyway.
Will pester DH to donate soon (he's O-).
Our DC must be all sorts of flavours, don't you think?!

Imisssleeping · 23/12/2010 20:02

just registered for January.
My 27 week old, 2 1/2 pound ds had a blood tranfusion at 3 weeks old, so thank you

Imisssleeping · 23/12/2010 20:03

Oh and he got an infection and nearly died the day after but they told me it wasn't related !

thanksamillion · 23/12/2010 20:42

We gave here (Moldova) when a friend was having an op and the system is that you have to find willing donors in place of blood you might need . We had to sit on stools in one room (kind of like a bar) and poke our arms through little holes into the next room where they stuck the needles in! No biscuits either

oldraver · 23/12/2010 20:55

IMO the call centre or whatever they use is a load of rubbish. They rarely no any answers to any queries you may have and constantly phone when you have already made an appointment. They will then phone to ask if your still goiung to turn up. I think a whole load of money is being wasted here

CrystalQueen · 23/12/2010 21:02

I remember the nurse looking really sheepish asking me if I was a prostitute. Put me off going back for years. (Still not as bad as when the midwife asked me if I was at school at my booking appointment. I was 31).
And I am going next week, you have all reminded me. A rare B- here!

littlenuttree · 23/12/2010 21:10

I'm B+ and I felt mightily rejected when they told me that I couldn't give blood because I have a peanut allergy. Actually, being honest, I cried to DH in the car on the way home from being knocked back!

Kniternator · 23/12/2010 21:15

I am O Neg rang up yesterday, they can fit me on 6th January, but unfortunately I am at work, then not until mid Feb, so they obviously aren't that desperate.

Kniternator · 23/12/2010 21:16

I am a regular donor btw.

amijee · 23/12/2010 21:22

I have been trying to persuade them to take half a bag of blood from me all my life as I have always been below the weight restriction!

secretskillrelationships · 23/12/2010 21:26

I think a lot depends on where you are and their facilities. I couldn't book an appointment when I gave blood about a year ago because the hall they used had reduced their bookings by half for the following year. I rang to book when I got the notification only to be told it was fully booked. I tried turning up to be told it would be at least 2 hours.

Finally got back into the system but last time it took me over 2 hours cos of staff illnesses!

I lost 2 friends to AIDS, one back in the early 80s before anyone had heard of it. They might still be here if we hadn't imported blood from the USA so I am a keen donor.

SarfEasticated · 23/12/2010 21:36

I've booked in now thanks to this thread, am O- too so hopefully it will be useful. May ask in advance for glass of wine and croissant. In sainso's carpark so may be in luck!

Original poster

clam · 24/12/2010 09:57

OK, so I've now forgiven the Blood Service. A very nice young man has just called to apologise for my frustrations and given me his personal contact number to ring if I should have any further problems. He had also dug up a few spare appointments from somewhere too.

My commitment is renewed and I look forward to feeling virtuous next week when I go. And posh biscuits.

OP posts:

JellyBelly10 · 24/12/2010 10:13

My husband went to give blood a couple of weeks ago, got all the way there and they noticed he had a small patch of eczema on his arm. So they wouldn't take his blood! They said that the little bit of antisceptic stuff they wipe on your skin before inserting the needle MAY not be good for his eczema . GIven that he's nearly 40 and has had mild eczema all his life I'm sure he could have coped with one more tiny patch! DO these people not want blood???!!!

norfolkBRONZEturkey · 24/12/2010 10:26

I find that I can never get to where they are when they are there. Which is annoying as my dd had several transfusuions in nicu and refused one when I should have had one as I wanted to be able to pay back for hers. It seems they dont make it easy for anyone

And as someone said why can't give donate if you've had a transfusuion, decidedly worrying

nickeldonkeybethlehemsinsight · 24/12/2010 10:56

Imisssleeping - you have to wait 9 months after you give birth before you can give blood.

I thought I'd mention it because they will ask, and then it'll be a wasted journey for you.

theevildead2 · 24/12/2010 11:10

Be happy they take it at all! BAck home I can't give blood because I've lived in the UK (I lie though) also gay men or women who have had sex with a gay man can't donate blood. Fucking ridiculous

nickeldonkeybethlehemsinsight · 24/12/2010 11:13

That's the rule here too - you can't give if you're a man who's had sex with a man, or a woman who's had sex with a man who's had sex with a man.

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