To ask all those who can to donate blood.

[HadABadDay2014]

www.blood.co.uk/index.aspx

Only 4% of adults give blood, which is a shocking number.

I understand not every one can for their own reasons.

Please give of you can.

To all those experienced donators, what is it really like? How different is it from just having blood taken for tests? It's the thought of the needle in me for so long that I think scares me the most. Can you feel it?

I hate blood tests, they usually hurt like hell and I invariably end up bruised. After somewhere in the region of 30 donations I have only had 1 bruise of any significance (and that was still small), there's a brief burning sting as the needle goes in and that's it - I don't feel the needle once it's in. I think the big differences between blood donation and blood tests are the level of experience and expertise of the staff (they are doing this all the time!) and how they interact with you - the staff care about making the whole process as pleasant as possible.

I was completely terrified the first time I donated...a classic example of making a huge deal (in my head) of something which turned out to be not a big deal (for me, in terms of the process).

If you have any other questions, feel free to pm.

I also want to say thanks to all those who have donates blood.
Ive had 4 bags of blood in 3 years
but very grateful to those who have and saving my life!
I hemorrhage after giving birth (2.5litres last time) didnt think it would happen again but it did and the blood really saved me.
Im pg again (unplanned pregnancy due to failed contraception amd dont agree with abortion) so thank you all!

Ps
Op thanks for making a lovelt thread

I donate. I currently owe 4 units as my dad had a transfusion on October and I need to pay it back :)

I've only had one bad bruising in 37 donations so far, most times I have had no bruising at all. Last time I had to ask them to adjust the needle as it was painful but once it's in generally it's just a little uncomfy rather than painful. I have never had any problems with blood tests either, my veins seem to be easy to find and use. The staff are very caring if you are at all nervous or worried talk to them or attract their attention if they have moved over to another bed.

My dp has been donating regularly for 30 years. I am going to try again after being unsuitable due to anemia.
However it makes me very sad that my ds is judged by the blood service on his sexuality alone. He is a very responsible person and would never play fast and loose with his own or anyone else's health. He would love to give blood but isn't allowed

I finally got round to making a donation for my first ever appointment last year, then found out I was pregnant the same day. A note has been put on my donor record so they will contact me as soon as I'm eligible to donate again!

I have very recently made donation No 48. So I should get my gold badge by the end of this year.

I am working on brainwashing the DCs (aged 13 and 10) to follow on. DP managed 25 years before having to stop for medical reasons. Other family members have donated over the years too, so there's been plenty of blood going into the system from our direction.

The real issue, though is the reducing number of young donors to take over from the older donors once they stop. We need to raise the profile of giving blood to get those youngsters in.

I've just re-read my post. That should have said "I finally got round to making an appointment for my first ever donation"! D'oh

My parents always gave but can't anymore (Mum due to having a transfusion & Dad as he's on medication that doesn't agree with it) so have donated as often as I can; borderline anaemia at times and the odd tattoo permitting! I gave my 27th donation last week.

I'm currently part of the interval study looking to see whether the time between donations can be shortened, so am giving every 12 weeks rather than 16 and reporting back whether that impacts on my health at all. Going okay so far!

I do just wish there was a way to balance out the risks for accepting donations from gay men. It seems bizarre there's still a blanket ban on accepting blood from any sexually active gay men, even if they're in a long term relationship, use protection and both parties have clean bills of health. Surely a heterosexual person who has a lot of casual sex would be at higher risk than them, but is allowed to donate subject to completing the health questionnaires.

I was supposed to give blood tomorrow but have come down with a cough/cold coughing so hard I've vomited several times, proper virus and they wouldn't touch me with a bargepole

Can someone else go for me this time and I'll book again when they're back?

It's not helped that by the time the letter comes through my door telling me that they'll be here on x day, and I call the same day as the letter arrives only to find that all the appointments have been taken.

OK... stay longer, get another vampire nurse, book another day. The appointment I had was in a different village 15 mins drive away. I have of course cancelled so someone else can have the slot as they are this busy in my area.

I donated for the first time last month after the New Years thread asking people to donate. The feeling of being proud of myself lasted for days!

However the nurses were so rude to me. I mentioned that I had fainted after blood tests before (not every blood test, just some) and got asked "Why on earth did you bother coming then?" and generally made to feel like a burden.

As it turned out it all went fine and I was practically skipping out of there to get away from them.

I'd also like to say thank you OP for this thread. Not that I'm looking for thanks but it's heartwarming to hear all the stories from those who've needed a transfusion and it's really nice to feel I have done my bit.

For those asking by the way, although I bruise quite badly afterwards, I don't find giving blood painful in any way and bizarrely I think I feel better after it. Maybe just because I've got to lie down on my own for 20 minutes

Just want bump so more people see this x

It's welsh blood day today

m.realradiowales.co.uk/events/welsh-blood-day-2014-give-blood/bc635

Boodebah - that sounds horrible! Our nurses are brusquely efficient but not rude. It's a bit of a conveyer belt getting as many people through as possible (sounds horrible but it's not, we're all there for one purpose so best to get it done as quickly as possible so we can get to the biscuits ) so I guess they don't have time for pleasantries but they are usually polite and efficient.

Hopefully they won't put you off going back next time

And well done for your first donation!

I've just gone online and the next one I can go to is in August! Not even sure I can go to that one as work won't allow us to go less than 24 hours before starting work and I don't know what days I'll be working.