Donating Blood

[Mrsfrumble]

Please don’t be rude or tell me I’m thick. I’m trying to do something helpful, and something the NHS is asking for right now.

I’m O neg (universal donor), and it’s been a little over 16 weeks since my last donation. I keep seeing adverts from the Blood Donation Service on social media, asking people to keep donating and reassuring that this counts as “essential travel for medical reasons” as per tonight’s new restrictions. I want to help. I’m stuck at home with my family feeling helpless, and giving my useful blood feels like the least I can do. My problem is that my regular donation centre is in Central London - which I know will be deserted, so that doesn’t bother me - and I usually take the tube or bus, which I obviously won’t be doing. So if I went, I’d be walking, 3.7 miles each way. I’m used to walking long distances, but not right after donating blood. I usually feel fine afterwards, but I’m wondering if this is too much. I don’t want to pass out on the way home and require any medical attention which is needed elsewhere right now, but also don’t know how else I can donate (we don’t have car, obviously can’t ask anyone for a lift). AIBU to consider it?

This is the message from the blood donation service.

Could you go to a different centre as a one-off?

Walking that far after donating blood just doesn't seem doable to me. Cycling maybe after a rest, but if you were a confident cyclist, you'd have already considered it as an option. If you don't usually cycle, that is no time to start.

Sorry OP, but it doesn't seem doable to me without compromising your own wellbeing.

DH would do it, heck he'd cycle like 25 miles afterwards. I have useless blood, AB+.

Surely there’s a nearer centre? Phone the helpline tomorrow, you’re doing an amazing thing by donating.

If you can find a closer centre then go for it- I wouldn’t attempt to walk that far after donating, but then I have delayed faint reactions so I can’t walk very far at all afterwards anyway!

I’d love to donate but my baby is only 20 weeks and you have to wait 6 months after giving birth.

I can't see why you shouldn't go to a nearer centre.

I mostly do it at work when the bus comes round, but also at the local sports centre near home, as the bus only goes to the large offices. You have an id number on your card so they can trace your record.

I wish I could give blood but I can't

You can donate at any blood centre- it doesn't have to be the same one each time

Thank you, I will call today and see if there’s anywhere closer. I do cycle but my bike is currently knackered and out of service (and I really regret putting off getting it fixed!)

And thank you everyone for being polite and supportive. I saw some very rude posts last night towards people who were genuinely confused about whether they would be going to work this morning or not

I just did yesterday...O meg like you. Was reasonably busy as people also realise the last think the NHS needs is to run out of blood.

However, whilst chairs a noticeable distance apart, staff didn't wear masks

@Mrsfrumble - re. your bike - bike shops are on the list of businesses allowed to remain open - you can get it fixed :) It would enable you to avoid using public transport for any reason until all this is over.

If you register on their website it shows you a list of available donation locations and appointments coming up near to wherever you search for
(in case you have trouble getting through on the phone www.blood.co.uk/ )

Going to donate blood is considered an essential journey so you can use public transport. Maybe walk there (good idea as it gets your blood moving well) and get the bus/tube back?

I am donating next Tuesday and the information specifically says it's essential travel. Admittedly I read that before last night, but it's obviously a medical reason. I can walk to my donation centre though, it's less than 10 mins away.

Why won’t you use public transport? You said yourself it will be deserted.

Have you seen the pictures of crowded tube trains?

I've just cancelled my appointment with great regret. The centres are doing lots of wiping down but haven't thought about social distancing and I couldn't get any answer from them on that. They could operate one in one out, wait outside spaced out etc, but no. I have been low or no contact for about three weeks - if I had to go to work or had kids and so was probably going to be exposed anyway, I'd do it but not in my circumstances.

I hope they can think of a way round this issue.

Walk there then get the tube back? There's still risk, but it's halved.

Buses seem to be relatively quiet so I would use a bus for the return journey and go outside of the peak.

I'm signed up for April when I can next donate. Go online to Blood.co.uk and see if there's somewhere nearer. You don't have to attend your regular place. Good luck OP, and well done for continuing to donate. They need it more than ever now.

I didn't even realise blood could still be donated, I'm going to have a look now and book in.

I don't donate that often because it really affects my running so I've not donated since May, but given no races,/events, there's zero reason not to. All my local sessions were booked out for some time, but I kept checking back as I thought someone was bound to cancel if they needed to self-isolate, and I got a slot for next Tuesday. So please keep checking if your local venues are booked out.

I gave blood last week and was rung up a few days later to put another slot in the diary but I'm always finding I make an appointment then have a cold so I'm waiting till nearer the time.

High-fives for my fellow donors! I’m thrilled that this thread has inspired people to donate. I haven’t got round to calling yet because I’m supervising children’s schoolwork (7 year old is writing a Coronavirus diary in the style of Samuel Pepys), but will do it when they’re having lunch.

YANBU to consider it

Donating blood is essential travel. Last thing the nhs needs on top of everything else is a blood shortage!