Blood donation - not an AIBU

[anahata]

Posting here for traffic.

To anyone that's thought previously about donating blood, today might be a really good day to start.

I am a regular blood donator with a very common blood group- does anyone know if I can donate whilst pregnant? I couldn't find any information online.

patronsaintofglocks You can't donate while pregnant I'm afraid or for about 6 months afterwards. Well that's what I was told when they rung to book me in last time. They have a note on me to call early next year for my next donation.

glocks I couldn't find on the NHS Blood Transport website; some pages seem not to be working at the moment. However, you can call them on 0300 123 23 23 .

I think blood stocks are good and they are inundated with calls and doners. What they need is people to donate regularly

As Steppa said - scotblood have indicated Scottish and English stocks are good. Yes donate but not just as a one off.

They were struggling for O- earlier today

Thank you for answering me. I wish I could do more.

I'm O-, but currently not allowed to donate :(

They often struggle for O- (as that's the universal donor group; what you give people when the sheer volume of numbers means you can't type every casualty quickly enough)

What is needed is regular donors, so stocks are always good. Yes, times of unusual demand might mean occasional appeals for more (probably by text to all registered donors in the area affected who have the group/s they are short of) but that works best when there is a large pool of donors to call on.

www.google.co.uk/amp/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-blood-banks-terror-attack-13077365.amp

I gave blood this morning for the first time, and have already booked in my next appointment for September

Its likely that there will a spike in donations now, and a drop in about 8 - 12 weeks time. See what happened to blood stocks after 9/11. So you might want to phone them first.

I had a blood transfusion with dd2 so am not allowed to donate otherwise I would do :(

Agree that regular donation is the best. I tried a few times to book in when I heard the unit was visiting but found it almost impossible to get an appointment. Get online and book yourself in for a few weeks ahead.

I can't donate any more but wish I could.

They were inundated with potential donors yesterday(DH works for blood transfusion services) - obviously it's great that everybody wants to do their bit - but surely it's better to become a regular donor.

I am a regular donor. Next appt in 2 weeks. NHBTS rang me last night to confirm I still plan to attend.

It is great that people think about what they can do after an awful event and a one off is a start. But yes, regular donation is better.

I am also registered for bone marrow donation and all my organs. I would give platelets instead of blood but am not heavy enough.