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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Blood donation

355 replies

ImperialPleather · 13/06/2019 19:58

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!

OP posts:
Neighneigh · 13/06/2019 20:20

To be honest I never got round to donating, until last year when a friends son had leukaemia and needed regular transfusions simply to be healthy enough to be treated. So when it hit home, I started doing it and frankly it's absolutely no bother whatsoever. It's a very, very small thing you can do which literally could save a life. If medically you can't then of course fine. But as pp have said, if you would accept a donation when you needed one, please consider donating.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 13/06/2019 20:21

I give blood regularly - but now they don’t want as much of my type (female AB-) it’s impossible to find an appointment.

WoollyMollyMonkey · 13/06/2019 20:22

What’s wrong with British blood, Maximus ?!

JB1983 · 13/06/2019 20:23

It’s the risk of transmission of vCJD which means other countries won’t accept British blood products

bobstersmum · 13/06/2019 20:24

Who on earth has been pestering you, Dracula?

minmooch · 13/06/2019 20:25

You sound very adamant that you won't give blood. And that is your right.

However, if you or a loved one has ever needed blood then you would know the importance of donating blood.

My son had cancer at the age of 15. He needed numerous blood and platelet transfusions to give him a chance to get through treatment. He lost his life to cancer but the numerous blood and platelet transfusions gave him a chance.

If you are fit and able to give blood I can't understand why you wouldn't. You never know when you or someone you love may need a transfusion.

Presumably if you had an accident and required blood you would accept it if it would save your life?

I don't bang on about giving blood. If someone brings up the topic then I will talk about how blood donations helped my son.

My post is not meant to shame you but show how important it is for people to give blood.

broken1982 · 13/06/2019 20:26

I do think people like you should be shamed into it after reading your post.
I feel people who have opinions on it like yourself who just cannot be bothered should then be refused if ever you need one.
Try a bit of give and take
I hope my blood and organs go to someone worthy of it and not you OP

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 13/06/2019 20:26

min Flowers

HariboLectar · 13/06/2019 20:26

I'd love to be allowed to donate blood again.

Illness and then a transfusion after surgery means I'm no longer allowed.

It may not work for the OP but if you've never donated but have been thinking about it please give it a try Biscuit Brew

And to everyone who does donate, thank you!! Flowers

Jebuschristchocolatebar · 13/06/2019 20:28

I lived in the UK for a few years when I was a kid so I am barred for life in Ireland from giving blood. Really annoying becuase I would love to. We had a big blood drive at work recently and people queued for hours to donate. Op who shamed you?

creamofcarnation · 13/06/2019 20:28

No one's shaming, there's a campaign because blood stocks are low. I donate because I'm O-

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 13/06/2019 20:28

I give blood and Ive tried to encourage my children

Unfortunately ds1 is phobic (you should have seen the looks i got from the nurses when he went in, they obviously thought I’d forced him)

Dd is a fainter

Will try with ds2 but the only time he had blood taken for a test HE fainted

So I don’t fancy my chances

But I agree, its a great thing to do if you can

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 13/06/2019 20:29

Oh and they do mini cheddars at my blood donation place

I like mini cheddars

Graceymac99 · 13/06/2019 20:30

I am English and live in Ireland and my blood is not accepted for donation either for same reason as Maximus.

smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 13/06/2019 20:31

I always liked giving blood tbh, felt like I'd done my good deed. I can't donate now as I'm pregnant but so long as I'm able to once I've had my baby I'll be back. DH doesn't have a complete medical history so can't donate.
They have changed the guidance on gay men donating but they're still daft IMO. You'd have to abstain from any sexual activity for 3 months to donate?

Sooverthemill · 13/06/2019 20:32

I cannot give blood because of my medical history ( blood cancer) and I received blood after giving birth. My daughter would have died without the blood transfusion she received 18 months ago. I thank god every day fir her life and thank each and everyone who does.

ShinyMe · 13/06/2019 20:32

I would love to be able to donate again. I gave a few times, years ago. I then had a big blood transfusion in 1996, which would make me even more keen to donate. However 1996 falls into the category of BSE risk, so they won't accept mine now.

ReganSomerset · 13/06/2019 20:32

the actual act of giving blood is nothing

It's a pretty big deal for the needle-phobic.

TitusP · 13/06/2019 20:32

I have given blood in the past but I was unable to for a while due to travel and then illness and now find it impossible to get an appointment to do it. My blood is not in much demand though. However, at one point I was receiving several texts/emails a week from the blood donation people, when I rang up to ask them to stop contacting me the woman I spoke to was so shirty with me it made me think twice about going!p again!

I don't think it's ok to compare not giving blood and not being an organ donor. I agree fully with the opt out system for organ donation and the idea if you opt out you can't receive an organ. You are dead when you give your organs and can't feel anything. Giving blood can be painful, it takes time, you can feel dizzy/lightheaded afterwards etc. I can see why people don't want to do it.

Loubylou79 · 13/06/2019 20:33

It will always be there if you ever need it though so why wouldn’t you be slightly uncomfortable for a few minutes and donate some also? Morally I feel you should give if you can, if you would accept it in your hour of need.

HairyMcWary · 13/06/2019 20:34

I'm sorry but I think it's selfish not to just because you don't feel like it. It's different if you actually have a valid reason. I presume that if you were in an accident, had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, had cancer etc, etc you would be quite happy to accept blood. If that's the case then you should at least try to donate. Only 4% of people eligible to donate actually do which is a shocking statistic.

CrazyToast · 13/06/2019 20:36

@MaximusHeadroom why do people refuse British blood?

IJustWantToWearDungarees · 13/06/2019 20:37

I would love to be able to give blood as I received a transfusion after my son was born, but I have an auto-immune disease so I am not allowed. Same with bone marrow donation. Every time something comes up on FB or I see an advert about it, I feel guilty. I know there's nothing I can do, but it is yet another shitty side effect of my disease.

Croprotationinthe14thcentury · 13/06/2019 20:37

I give blood a couple of times a year. I find it really hard to get an appointment to donate, most of the pop up centres are during the week when I'm working or all the appointments are gone for the weekend sessions. Such a shame as I'd happily give 3/4 times p/a and get to eat free biscuits

JanetandJohn500 · 13/06/2019 20:37

Just been to visit my dad in ITU. He's had plenty today. If you can, please do give.

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