Blood donation

[ImperialPleather]

I’m so fed up of being told to donate blood? It’s happened 3 times in the past week I’ve been shamed for not giving blood.

I have no good reason to not give it other than I don’t want to but given I have bodily autonamy AIBU to think it’s no ones damn business?

It’s amazing some people give so well done to those who do!

As you're 'telling me off'? I've explained twice and won't engage with you again on this thread as you just want a ruck; tedious.

GIVE BLOOD!

I also think if you can you should. I doubt anyone is trying to shame you though. As others have said, if your loved one need blood, would you not feel guilty that you had never donated for no good reason?

@fairweathercyclist.. i'm a bone marrow donor too. I never thought anything of it until a 5yo child in our county was diagnosed with a v.rare form of leukaemia and i went to be swabbed. DH was reluctant as he has had some health problems but i just couldn't not do it. That aside i have never given blood and reading this whole thread has made me decide i'd like to

I can’t donate (due to blood-borne virus) but wish I could and think it should be much more widespread. A friend’s newborn needed multiple transfusions of a rare type recently and it frightened me that such a crucial thing relies near-totally on human goodwill.

OP At least you've opened up an argument!

I'm off to check the guidelines. I've been refused after having malaria fifty years ago - the blood wagon that came round to my place of work didn't have the kit to check so refused me. I'm one of those rare blood types so was a bit sad.

I can see why the blood banks are super careful. We appear to have taken blood products from the US in the ?80s? which was given to haemophiliacs and others in the UK, but was hugely infected. There's a court case against the NHS and govt now.

I donated a few times in my early 20s, but haven't got a long time (now 45), but would love to again.
Work even have the blood service in a few times a year (two government offices on the same site do over 2000 staff).
I don't donate now for a reason. When I did donate they struggled to get the minimum donation from within the time limit. It got worse each time. It us a waste of their time and resources if what they take can't be used.
Now when I go for blood tests (underactive thyroid) they sometimes need multiple goes to get a sample.
At different times I have had the same problem regardless of whether it was being taken by a nurse, phlebotomist or consultant.
I am on the bone narrow register though, and have had a donor card since I was 18. My family also know my wishes about organ donation.

I tried to donate once, major panic attack when i saw how big the needle was. Turns out i have small veins anyway

Every blood test while pregnant they have trouble getting blood from me

My df is amazing, he donated iver 150 times, wish i had his veins

Hope you never need blood then OP. I have given blood before and although I do not particularly like needles (does anyone though?), I was so proud of myself for doing it and potentially saving a life.

I’m currently pregnant so won’t be able to donate at my work’s next blood drive, but I will definitely do it again next year. 10 minutes of your life and you could be giving someone 30 more years of theirs, small sacrifice really (if you are able to, of course).

@Solasshole Thanks for your illuminating posts on this thread. I wanted to ask, if I may and you don't mind, why people with M.E are restricted from donating blood when there is no evidence of M.E occurrence in blood. Yet I'm allowed to donate bone marrow and they are happy to take my organs, including plans for an altruistic kidney donation.

@SimplySteveRedux

Not sure about that one, sorry. It may be because it's easier to find blood donors than marrow or organs so they can afford to be a bit pickier. There's a lot of conditions where they will not do donations on a "just in case" basis after what happened early in the HIV epidemic where many people caught HIV from transfusions. Some of it is being overly cautious until they know otherwise about a condition. Bone marrow and organ donation is different because there's never enough of them around so most people would say that they'd rather chance the (even if extremely small) risk of getting say ME than dying which is likely the reality if they don't get that bone marrow/organ transplant.

Makes sense, thanks for replying :) @Solasshole

@SimplySteveRedux

No problem

CJD can only be tested post-mortem, it involves looking at the brain.

I had my tonsils tested...though I doubt it would be reeled out as a standard test

No tonsils. I had mine removed at age 7, even though there was nothing wrong with them/ I'd actually gone in to an ENT ward to have my ears checked for fluid, but they took tonsils and adenoids out at the same time. Seems there was a thing of doing that routinely at the time, as they were believed to be useless organs.

Meanwhile, I looked up some stats on vCJD. 178 deaths attributed to vCJD since 1990, last one in 2016, although the bulk of them are between 1995 and 2003.

Donation #62 booked for August. I have tattoos and piercings too, I just carefully time these to ensure no unnecessary delays between donations.

After a horrific accident I had to have a few blood transfusions, I can't remember exactly how much blood I lost but it was a lot!

To put it very simply, if those very kind people didn't donate their blood I would not be here now!

I really wish I knew who they were, as they saved my life!!

I can't give blood due to all the medication I now take, but all my family and friends that fit the criteria do give blood.

Thank God there are still people that give blood and don't feel hassled by a few letters, adverts, people asking if you would like to give blood etc 🤨

OP would refuse a blood transfusion if you needed one?

@Oldraver do you mean that your tonsils were removed for another reason and then the tissue tested for vCJD? How interesting! What was the clinical reason for that (if you don’t mind me asking?). Presumably the result was negative?

Swerving slightly off subject but does anyone know whether an old donor card (20 years plus) still counts as valid? I expect i need to update my details on a website somewhere. Thanks

Of course you shouldn't have to or be made to feel bad for it.

It is a good thing for people to do though and I still would if I didn't have a transfusion when DD2 was born.

I do think it's a shame as it's not difficult for a person to do nor is it dangerous unlike donating another part of your body, say.

Especially as you never know when you'll need it and then it was someone who took that time out to help someone who helped you.

But everyone can and should decide for themselves.

@BooseysMom You book appointments and change your details on the NHSBlood app these days.

haven't read the whole thread but I think you are being very unreasonable - I am assuming you would be happy to receive a donation if need be.

I am a regular blood donor, I am on the bone marrow register. DH is also regularly donating blood. I think it is shameful of people not to donate (unless there are medical reasons).

I am so grateful to people who donate blood. I received two blood transfusions after my DC birth and it was greatly received. I always said I would give it back and I planned too but apparently can’t because I have received a transfusion. Shame as I have O- blood too which is a great blood to donate.

BooseysMom Your donor number should still be valid, so you can download the app and register your details.

I'm not allowed to give blood. I'd love to be able to help when I see the adverts and it makes me feel bad that my health prevents me from being able to help.

@RamblingFar & @MulticolourMophead.. Thank you both for your help x

I had a big blood transfusion after pph. It saved my life. Ironically it also means that I can't donate.

Like others have said. If you'd accept a blood transfusion then I'd urge you to reconsider your stance on not donating yourself.
They do a good selection of biscuits and you get to feel rather smug with yourself when you get a text telling you which hospital it's gone to!