To thank you for giving blood!

[justalittlety]

Just wanted to post a quick thread to thank any MNetters that give blood!

If it wasn't for people like you I would of died giving birth to my son, I would not get to see my children grow up! My little girl who is autistic would not get to hold my hand in the car (she is terrified of it and its the only way she will get in!) and I would never have experience my baby boys first smile today...

So THANK YOU! If you have ever given blood as small as it may seem to other people to me you are a life saver ❤️

Thank you for reminding me I need to start donating again. Not done it since giving birth.

Great thread, hope it spurs some others on to donate.

The don’t let me donate at the moment due to my reoccurring anaemia but I’m hoping I can again at some point in the future. DH can no longer donate as he has had blood transfusions in the past, it’s a shame too as he has one of the rarer blood types (AB positive). I’m the most common o positive but apparently it’s the most in demand because quite a few people can receive it even if they have a different blood group (I’m sure it’s all the positive types just not the negatives).

I really should book an app to do it again. I forgot my last app and Iv been too embarrassed to go back.

I’m RH AB-

Thanks for reminding me, I haven't donated for a while due to illness and then pregnant but DS is 15 months now so I'm well overdue! I've just booked an appointment for March. It'll be my 9th donation.

Does anyone know, can you take children with you? I can't think if I've ever seen any in the past.

I gave just last week and am waiting to get my text with where it goes! Last lot ended up in Scarborough!

I wouldn’t have been here if not for blood donors, my dad had a transfusion as a teenager that saved his life, allowing him to grow up and meet my mum! Both DH and I give blood. My view is that I’d want it if I needed it myself, and I’m able to give.

And PP’s are right, the snacks are good!

Unfortunately I'm disabled, (neurological), immunocompromised due to the treatment for my condition, and I'm therefore not allowed to give blood. I always feel a little sad when I hear the appeals for blood donors, knowing that I would absolutely help if I could...

I am allowed to be an organ donor though, (my condition is not transmitted from one person to another), and I absolutely keep my organ donor card in my purse!

You're very welcome. The Jacobs mint chocolate bars after make it all worthwhile...

I wasn't allowed to give blood 10 years ago due being born in a hot country. Is that stll the rule? I've been meaning to try again.

Thank you for the thanks OP, but the free tea and biccies are thanks enough!

I'm up to 79 donations. My father needed 26 once, so I reckon I've repaid what's he had and put a few more in the pot.

What a lovely thread to start. I've only given around 9 times. It's frustrating having to wait so long between donations! I wish I'd started earlier. I wish the welsh blood service gave us texts to say where the blood had gone, that sounds really good.

Think you are all amazing thank you!!
Gave blood myself for many years and and then had to have a transfusion myself after my c section......i can now sadly no longer give blood.....i wish i could.
They are always so lovely when you go for donations and the cup of tea and biscuits after are always a bonus.
Thanks again for all of that you do donate you are my heroes.

Wish I could but I'm not allowed :( glad your ok!

This is such a lovely thread! I gave my 14th pint of finest O+ claret just before xmas and I hope it helped whoever it was given to.

Acheekyfinger I have taken my children with me before and they were fine with it, just be aware that you'll need to take something to distract them while you're hooked up if they are likely to start running around when they're bored

@FatalKittehCharms that’s a weird reason, had you travelled back to your country of birth recently to bring refused? I was born in a hot country (which I left at 5 months and have never returned to) and it’s not an issue. I used to have to declare it as they’d ask if I’d ever been to a malarial country, but they’ve fine tuned the questions now - you declare something like that, they deem it not a risk, and you don’t have to declare it again. Likewise medication, you only have to tell them if you’re prescribed something new.

@DFAMA Ah thanks for the info

I've only recently become a donor. I was turned away the first time as my iron levels were just too low but accepted the second time I'm O neg and wish I'd started sooner.

A heartfelt thanks from me too. Giving blood is the very essence of giving the milk of human kindness. Donors don't ask the religion, the ethnicity or morals of the recipient, they just give the gift of blood because it may save another person's life.

You are all heroes.

Not a bother. I actually need to go and give another pint.

Thanks from me too!
Two pints of the red stuff on Christmas Day a few years ago strangest Christmas gift ever. Thanks also to the NHS staff who worked so hard for me that Christmas time too.

I’ve also received 2 blood transfusions after having Ds1. I wasn’t at deaths door but I was very ill and weak after haemorrhaging during birth...I’ll always remember waking up after 2 transfusions and the immediate, miraculous improvement in how I felt...it really was astonishing.

Unfortunately it means I can no longer donate which is a real shame! I’m hoping some day they review the rules and allow those who’ve received transfusions to donate.

@DontCallMeBaby i hadn't travelled to birth country for a few years but yes they did mention malarial antibodies. Might try again. Will google now as I had just thought it was a no go.

I have signed up as a blood stem cell donor, but have never been called.

You're very welcome, donation 37 for me next month.

My best friend had (thankfully successful) treatment for cancer a couple of years ago and whilst she was undergoing treatment I had a text saying one of my donations had gone to a specialist cancer hospital. She wasn't being treated there but it still teared me up a bit.

What a lovely thread! I gave my fifteenth pint a few weeks ago and wish I had started earlier. My dh has also finally re-registered as a donor last week.

@RollaCola84 Oh wow! You must of felt very proud🥰

You are all amazing selfless people! A lot of us would not be here if it was not for people like yourself, virtual hugs all round 🤗 xxx

It makes me feel good when I hear how blood has helped people, it could even be my blood you've had. This makes it worthwhile, knowing I've helped someone in such need.