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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Blood donation

219 replies

talksensetome · 10/02/2017 12:46

AIBU to tell you all that I am going to give a pint this afternoon, just because I love these threads and how they inspire others to give.

I wanted to donate platelets but I am too tiny so a pint of the red stuff it is!

OP posts:
GardeningWithDynamite · 12/02/2017 18:02

O+ here - just done my 25th donation (got a badge and a certificate and a thank you letter).

I really wish they had more appointments though. I really struggled for ages to get one. Every few months I got a phone call asking if I'd donate. I pointed out that I would but there were no appointments. They checked and sure enough no appointments. Sometimes I manage to book just after donating but it can be tricky to get a time that's not just before/after school pick up. They often overrun or cancel people because of staff illness or lack of heating in the building or whatever.

BoboBunnyH0p · 12/02/2017 20:15

I've just had my text informing me that my donation has been issued to Hull Royal Infirmary. I think it's really good that they do this.

Nquartz · 12/02/2017 21:11

I must be really lucky, there's a session in a local hotel or school every 4 months on a Sunday, I make my next appointment when I'm there so it's all sorted. Plus, I always go late afternoon so DH has to cook tea Grin

OliviasWhiteHat · 13/02/2017 07:07

Yeah don't really struggle for appointments here if you book well in advance. All the locations are open til 7:30 ish.
It's good when you get the text telling you where your donation has gone.
Keep it up everybody Grin

TinfoilHattie · 13/02/2017 09:23

The "community" blood donation sessions in my area are usually afternoon and then evening - something like 2-4 then 5 to 8. The van arrives at the community centre or church hall in the morning, the staff set up, then they take donations. The main centre in town is open three days 9 - 3.30, three days 12 - 7. There is plenty of flexibility over donating, I usually go first thing in the morning and never have to wait to be seen. Some of the evening community sessions are very busy with people dropping in on their way home from work.

One thing we don't get in Scotland is texts or emails saying where your blood has gone, once donated you hear nothing more about it.

nokidshere · 13/02/2017 09:43

Having had a blood transfusion after 1980 I am unable to give blood again sadly. Before that I couldn't because I had psoriasis, and if I hadn't had a transfusion I still couldn't now because of medication I take.

I am always encouraging others to do so though, my son might not be here with us if blood hadn't been available when he was 5!

Dinocat · 13/02/2017 10:49

😊

Dinocat · 13/02/2017 10:49

That was to Mommagee, posting fail!

myfavouritecolourispurple · 13/02/2017 10:55

there's a session in a local hotel or school every 4 months on a Sunday, I make my next appointment when I'm there so it's all sorted

that is paradoxically the problem - the appointments are already booked up at the last session so if you are new, or have been say pregnant and are coming back to donating, or whatever, you just can't get an appointment. You can book well in advance though - but as I said above, they might still cancel you on the day.

And yes, I am sure like with everything to do with the NHS they need money - but it's no good guilt-tripping people for not donating when they don't work efficiently.

Hygellig · 13/02/2017 11:26

I tried to book an appointment at New Year, and the first I could get was mid-May! It doesn't make it easy for new or lapsed donors.

HungryHorace · 13/02/2017 13:46

I'm up in Glasgow for 3 nights / 4 days a week and I ended up donating up here instead of in England as it knocked 7 weeks off my waiting time. My next appointment is after exactly 16 weeks back down south. I'll see what the timescales are when I'm at that appointment, and if it's significantly more than 16 weeks I'll donate in Glasgow again.

The only issue is that Scotland and England aren't linked, but if I gave blood sooner than was recommended, I'd only be affecting myself, I suppose.

conkerpods · 21/02/2017 00:11

I had a text saying my donation has gone to UCH. Such a good feeling,I can't wait to do it again in May Smile

Oldraver · 21/02/2017 00:18

This has reminded me I need to cancel tomorrow...flippin snivvles

lolalament · 21/02/2017 00:20

My blood goes to premature babies in Cambridgeshire :-)

If anyone is worried about donating, try to make sure that you eat, drink and sleep enough a few days before your donation. Maybe take a multivitamin if you're worried about your iron levels. Make sure you drink approx 500mls (just under a pint) just before your donation as this is proven to help. When you're donating, try to keep moving your legs - cross and uncross, squeeze your bum cheeks, lift legs in the air etc as this apparently helps too

Tigerstar123 · 21/02/2017 00:32

Off on Thursday to do my donation! Was really scared the first time, but found it easier than having a blood test. I like getting the text to tell me where my blood went. Feels like such a worthwhile cause

conkerpods · 21/02/2017 10:28

Yes they gave me lots of exercises to do,clenching etc!They said it should help to lessen your blood pressure dropping. I also had to move my hand a lot as my flow was slow to begin with,was rapid once I got going though.

hollinhurst84 · 21/02/2017 10:38

I'm unable to donate as I don't have enough white blood cells but thank you to those that do CakeBrew

Proudmummytodc2 · 21/02/2017 10:40

I'm so glad people are donating I get sad because I'm no longer allowed to donate.

When I gave birth to my DS who is 5 I nearly died and had to have 3 blood transfusions and once you have a transfusion your not allowed to donate.

I understand their reasoning but makes me sad I take donate blood anymore.

Permanentlyexhausted · 21/02/2017 21:34

I shall be donating a pint of the red stuff tomorrow. Looking forward to my Seabrook crisps. Smile

Original poster
talksensetome · 22/02/2017 12:27

Had my text, my pint went to Preston Royal Hospital. Need to book the next one.

OP posts:
Permanentlyexhausted · 22/02/2017 22:37

Seabrook crisps were delish, and I got custard creams too. Felt justified as I failed the finger prick iron test and had to have a larger sample taken out of my arm. That of course was fine so I went ahead and donated. So a hole in each arm and two of those bastard plasters to get off.

Going back in July.

Bubble2bubble · 22/02/2017 22:45

I am ashamed to say I have never given blood, but after this thread went online and signed up. Got a letter today saying they will be in touch when in my area. :)
I have NO easily detectable veins...last time I had a cholesterol test I was in the treatment room for 2 hours while they tried to get some blood, eventually from the back of my hand. I am presuming desparately hoping the blood donation people who do this every day are good at tracking down veins.

Permanentlyexhausted · 22/02/2017 22:59

Bubble Good on you! Try drinking plenty of water or squash in the hours before you go. It will help plump up your veins and may make it easier to find a suitable one.

streetch · 22/02/2017 23:19

I'm due to donate on Friday, it will be donation number 8 and I'm so glad I am able to do it Smile

Enko · 22/02/2017 23:36

I was a blood donor in the past, however I struggled when then children were younger to get an appointment within the time I could do before school runs (odd hours our local blood donor center does doesn't start until 1 30 and finishes by 4 30 and school pick up was bang in the middle) I then had low iron twice and just didn't make it back. I keep intending too

Currently I can't as I have been found a positive bone marrow donor match and have been asked not to donate blood for 3 months, whilst we wait and see if they wish for the donation to happen.

Antony Nolan is a spit test now and you then do blood tests if you are a potential match. You have to be between 16 and 30 and remain on the register until you are 60.

My father has given blood over 100 times. I as a child thought it was the most amazing thing he did (also he is AB- so a rare type) I am a bog standard A+ Smile