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?

My next appointment is June, so will have to see how it all pans out.

Gave blood yesterday. They were excellent. You were triaged before you went in. Chairs were very far apart as were the beds. Hand sanitiser everywhere. Blood donation is currently 20% down and this could kill more people than the virus itself!

Going today.
I have a message to say that it's covered under medical and essential.
It is essential- they don't have enough stock to last a 3 week lock down.
Hope you find a way op, but if not - don t feel bad. Just do it when things are easier.

I haven’t given for a while due to minor health issues but I am all sorted now so will log in and look for something local.

I work in a city hospital blood bank. Donated blood lasts around 30 days (depending on certain treatments etc) so in 30 days time the stock we do have will run low and if everyone stops donating we will be a very bad position.
It's not the CV patients I worry for, they won't need blood routinely, it's the DIY accidents and car crashes, we rely on blood in emergencies. It does save lives.
If you and everyone in your household is fit and well, not in a risk category, PLEASE GIVE. Every group will be needed but O Neg is so essential for emergencies.
Take more of a break after donating and only drive if you feel well enough, try going to your nearest location or someone else drive you but stays in the car.
However if you feel that it's too much of a risk I understand and you won't find anyone in the NHS who would blame you.

Thanks to OP and everyone in this thread who are past, present and future blood donors! I'll hug a blood bag tomorrow.....but then wash my hands 🤣

Wish I could donate at the moment (also O negative) but pregnant so I’m very much staying indoors and they wouldn’t have me anyway! Well done you OP for thinking about it.

CaraCrisp to you. The staff at my usual donation centre are without exception lovely, kind and friendly.

To update, I’m now booked in to donate in few weeks at a centre 0.9 miles from home. Perfectly walkable, even with less blood, so that’s an all round win!

I originally chose the West End centre as my regular spot because it’s right by John Lewis on Oxford Street and I could reward myself with cake in their cafe, but it’s good to know there’s somewhere nearer for future unusual circumstances.

Oh good, recent experience. I'm not worried about getting infected from giving blood, just about whether I might be carrying the infection and not know it, but I have to leave it to the Blood Transfusion Service to sort that out. I have an appointment to donate next week. Walking distance, so should be OK.

There is a really good NHS Blood app that gives info on who can give blood, where centres are, and through which you can book appointments. If you have not given blood before, or it's been a while, this is one way you can do your bit

OP, as O Neg you get priority at any centre I think, according to my daughter who is also O neg. She'd been travelling all over the place to get appointments until one of the nurses told her she could always get a slit at her nearest centre. Well done to you (and my lovely DD)

I an O- and was written to some month ago to say I got priority over appointments...although probably easy to get them anyway now.

Not sure if connected but this happened after I was written to saying stocks were desperately low and they need 0- immediately. Responded and couldn't get an appointment for months which led to me contacting them and having a mini rant to say don't send such dramatic letters and then be unable to give the priority donors a slot. A few months later I received a letter about the new scheme and being a priority donor.

So not sure if there are just slots reserved fOr priority donors?

I’m gutted I have to wait four months before I can donate again, as I recently travelled to the Philippines.

Havent donated for 6 years. Could never get an appointment even though I was constantly bombarded with letters and phonecalls to tell me as I was 0- I was vitally important.
Will look into donating again if they've changed the rules.

I am O-neg and have just made an appointment for Sunday. Not my usual centre either. Had to wait almost an hour on the phone - (I find the online booking really unhelpful) - but got booked in for 10am.

I am a fainter and always struggle after the donation - (have to lie on those chairs with my head down so the I am very impressed that you can walk afterwards!)

They need blood, really need it, so it is something we can do, (as long as we are able to of course).

I agree about the appointment system - it is crap. I get frequent emails and letters - and then the only appointment is nine months away - hence why I made an effort with to book by phone.

Thank you for giving blood. As a former cancer patient and someone who has received donor blood I am eternally grateful and bummed out that I can no longer donate. I previously donated regularly from age 17. 🩸

FFS, walking and even bussing to the centre is awesome. Coronavirus is a shit thing and it will kill people. A lack of O neg blood will kill more. High Fives to all Donors