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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give blood

55 replies

Bobbiepin · 11/04/2020 09:26

I am a regular donor and I'm asthmatic. I'm not going out for daily exercise as I don't trust other people to maintain social distancing etc and I'm fine being outside in our garden. I'm booked in to give blood on Monday and I trust the professionals to maintain safe distances and keep people separate as much as possible. I realise there will be people there but I think donating is important.

DH doesn't agree with me donating when I won't go out anywhere else to avoid getting ill. Although CV doesn't leave sufferers in need of blood, there are fewer donors right now and I think it is important to keep my appointment. AIBU to donate?

OP posts:
grandmasterstitch · 11/04/2020 09:27

Have you had a letter from the government telling you to isolate? If not then it's fine, they really need blood donors

Original poster
Bobbiepin · 11/04/2020 09:29

No, my asthma is mild and well controlled but I have a history of serious respiratory infections.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 11/04/2020 09:32

You should be asking the hospital, not Mumsnet.

If they're ok with it, that's what matters.

Original poster
Bobbiepin · 11/04/2020 09:33

Not in a hospital, it's a blood drive in a community centre. They haven't specified not to go but my DH is worried. It's not a medical matter really, more am I being silly to do it?

OP posts:
TorysSuckRevokeArticle50 · 11/04/2020 09:35

I did it the other week and they took steps to ensure everyone stayed well apart, everything was being disinfected constantly and they ensured only the bare minimum of contact just when the needle was inserted and removed.

WorraLiberty · 11/04/2020 09:36

The same applies though. You should ask them and see what they say.

meditrina · 11/04/2020 09:38

Giving blood counts as essential. It's specified in the Emergency Powers act as one of the reasons to go out.

So it's OK to go. You be wel looked after.

If you or someine in your household is shielding, then no one would criticise you for postponing

mrsmalcolmreynolds · 11/04/2020 09:38

It's not silly to do it - blood donation is one of the permitted reasons to go out. I have an appointment in a few weeks that I will attending unless I have symptoms or am otherwise required to self isolate at that point.

I don't understand why you say it's not a medical matter though, surely for you this hinges entirely on the possible risk to your health given your history of respiratory illness?

RandomMess · 11/04/2020 09:39

My appointment has been cancelled, says they will try to call me to rebook.

midgebabe · 11/04/2020 09:43

I know where you are coming from. If you didn't have asthma it would be unreasonable perhaps not to go, but you are in the nasty group,,,not ill enough to be shielded but nevertheless at a higher risk than others

Ring the blood donor team ?

Vinorosso74 · 11/04/2020 09:43

It is classed as essential but if you are worried (which I understand) cancel your appointment to free it up for someone else.
I can't donate until June but go to the centre in central London. I have no idea how I would travel there right now as I wouldn't want to risk the bus or tube.

FlockofGulls · 11/04/2020 09:47

my asthma is mild and well controlled but I have a history of serious respiratory infections

I'm exactly the same, but I'm leaving the house maybe once a week to shop (and I run early every morning). I take careful precautions: I've upped my preventer medication (my doctor had said about 18months ago that I didn't need to use it as my peak flow was so good), I wear gloves, I am schooling myself NOT to touch my face, and I wash my hands immediately I get home.

It's been OK, and I am extremely aerobically fit, so I'd hope that that might counteract the "underlying health issue". But there is the nagging feeling that if I were to contract C-19, I might get it very badly.

OTOH, blood is very much needed. So can you think through your journey there - can you walk or drive without having to come into contact with others, or with metal surfaces. Can you wear gloves. Once you're there, I'd say you're very safe.

Bluffinwithmymuffin · 11/04/2020 09:49

there are fewer donors right now and I think it is important to keep my appointment. AIBU to donate?

Not true about fewer donors atm. It was reported last week that numbers of donors have increased and when I tried to book mine - I’m also a regular - the person I spoke to told me they’re being inundated and all sessions in my area were already booked solid.

Not BU to give blood obviously

Bluffinwithmymuffin · 11/04/2020 09:51

Should’ve said the person I spoke to at blood.co.uk

Original poster
Bobbiepin · 11/04/2020 09:54

That's the thing, I am not shielding and have not been instructed to but if I get it it's likely to be very bad. I take careful precautions day to day and this is out the ordinary! I can drive there, and hold my hands so I'm not touching anything. To be honest, having an hour out the house to sit and read by myself sounds like bliss!

OP posts:
raspberryrippleicecream · 11/04/2020 10:13

My appointment was cancelled this week (centre needed for virus reasons). I haven't been able to rebook locally until July. Someone rang me mid week to rearrange the appointment and said in some places it was October!

In your situation I wouldn't go OP. But the sooner you cancel the more chance someone else could take the slot, I am checkjng online regularly.

iolaus · 11/04/2020 10:31

Going to donate blood is counted as essential travel

DH has gone today to donate platelets (regular thing for him every 3 weeks) and he's cycled over to do daily exercise at the same time

Toddlerteaplease · 11/04/2020 10:45

Giving blood is absolutely allowed and desperately needed.

BikeRunSki · 11/04/2020 10:49

I have an appt in a couple of weeks time. I’ve been a regular donor for decades, and I have rare blood. The thing that is concerning me is that I live in the countryside and am currently WFH. The appt is in the city where I work, 20 miles away and I’m not sure I am comfortable with going into the city. I’m happy to give blood, just not so happy about going into the city.

Bluffinwithmymuffin · 11/04/2020 10:59

I’ve also got rare blood Bike and couldn’t get booked - they told me to ring the day before sessions near me in case of cancellations, which I’m doing - so I believe that there are plenty of donors atm. In your shoes I’d be inclined to skip the session and trust that there are plenty of other donors, including those with the most needed blood types.

cologne4711 · 11/04/2020 11:05

I did it at the end of March. I thought it was very well organised (except for telling everyone to wash their hands on arrival, and then letting everyone play on their phones in the socially distanced waiting room!)

I think they are struggling with cancellations due to illness, self-isolating and people just being too nervous to go, so please do go if you can.

I couldn't get a slot at first, the first ones were in June, but I kept checking back because I thought someone was bound to cancel and then I did get a cancellation so please keep checking the website for your chosen centre, I am sure you will get lucky.

cologne4711 · 11/04/2020 11:06

It was reported last week that numbers of donors have increased and when I tried to book mine and yet I had several reminders and a phone call saying how important it was that I kept my appointment. Maybe it's a regional thing.

BikeRunSki · 11/04/2020 11:15

Hi @Bluffinwithmymuffin, my blood is in high demand all the time, because it can be given to people with sickle cell anaemia, who need regular transfusions. I usually donate whilst I’m a work in my lunch hour or straight after work. My barcode often sets off an alarm saying where my blood is needed ASAP and it has left on a motorbike before I’ve finished my hot chocolate.

This thread has encouraged me to look for a session nearer home, and I have booked for a session in a hotel with a large car park in our nearest town. I feel much happier about driving to a hotel and parking outside, than walking through Leeds.

Bluffinwithmymuffin · 11/04/2020 11:16

Could well be a regional thing. I’m in London

Bluffinwithmymuffin · 11/04/2020 11:19

I feel much happier about driving to a hotel and parking outside, than walking through Leeds.

Yes, I can see why you would Smile That sounds like a solution then