Can't give blood until further notice as my blood type is too rare?

[Clubtropicanadrinksarenotfree]

Has anyone else heard this? I've been trying to get an online appointment for ages but it kept saying they were fully booked which I found odd, as they always need blood donations.
It said they were full for the next year which just didn't seem right, so I went into the centre on Friday.
I have given blood there before a few years ago, but I was told that as my blood type is very rare they generally don't need any more of this type, so that's why I can't get an appointment ever.
It's a shame but what can I do, just keep trying.

Im AB+

Yes this happened to me, AB+ also. I was a bit offended tbf!! I know they always appeal for blood donations but it seems they only want certain types. O neg because anyone can receive it

One of my children is B neg and they are always phoning asking them to come in and donate

I can't remember which group it was, but a relative of mine was on a special list for it years ago (might have changed). Basically they can't store it for ages so they call you in when needed.
Is AB+ the one where you can only give to AB+ but can take blood from anyone? I can see how that would be less useful, but they normally take it for research (like half bags) rather than turning people away.

AB+ blood isn’t very useful because it can only go to other people who are AB+ (which is not very many - around 2% of people) but people who are AB+ can receive any blood type. So there’s no specific need for your blood unfortunately! Have you looked at giving plasma instead?

My mum had this. They kept her records so that she could come in and give blood if they specifically needed that type. Though her next door neighbour weirdly also had the same very rare blood type. They always used to joke at least they’d know where to go if they needed some!

I'm AB+ and haven't been able to donate for a few years because it is not needed. 😞
Slightly miffed at having to buy my own Jacobs Club biscuits now....

Was going to say what everyone else said!

Theres pretty much no point in collecting AB+ not just because it’s pretty rare (AB- is rarer) but because there’s no real need for it - AB+ people can received any and every other blood group, but no other groups can receive it.

Only if they had tons of spare room would they want to collect this blood group.

(NB the film Bruce Almighty really pissed me off because they had a scene where apparently they really needed the woman’s rare blood group - and it was AB+)

Ds is O- and I’ll definitely be encouraging him to donate when he’s 18!

I get calls asking for my A- because quite a lot of people can use it

It doesn't keep very long so they don't want to waste it. Next time they use up existing stocks they will contact you.
Alternatively you could ask if they could use your blood for any other products.
Don't feel bad, you are a valuable resource and they want to save you for when you are needed.

Us AB+ers are lucky as we can accept any other blood group
I have a couple of 0 neg friends who donate a few times a year x

How amazing to have rare blood... do you know the science behind it OP.

Same here, I couldn't get an online booking so phoned up and was told there is no need for AB+ at the mo as they are flooded with it.

If they don’t need it, there is no point them wasting time and resources taking it. But there’s literally no reason to be upset/offended/miffed or whatever. It’s not personal, ffs.

I'm ab- and my midwife basically said "you'll be screwed if you need bloods in labour" helpful.

Ooooo I have the same blood type and was told it was rare. Shame about donating

Another AB+ here. I've only donated a handful of times but haven't taken it personally. There's no point in wasting clinical time and resources

My DH has a rare blood type (B+), and there is never an appointment available for him to donate. They seem to know that he hasn’t made an appointment, they phone him up, and get him in anyway.

You would be fine they would give you O neg

There's no point them taking your blood if they don't need it, just to make you feel good about yourself!

I'm AB+ too

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz Your midwife was wrong. If you are AB neg you can receive AB neg, O neg, B neg or A neg. So loads of choice!!

I'm o neg and they have secret slots so even if a session is showing as full, they can get me in.

I'm AB+ and this is what I was told when I donated my first time over 20 years ago. They wanted to have me oncall for when they needed it but this didn't fit with my lifestyle so I haven't donated since. I know I should probably reregister but I live rurally so just dropping everything to go and donate would be a PITA.

If you look on NHS blood stocks it shows they have 11.6 days of AB pos when they should have 6 days. Ideally they want male AB donors as they use the plasma/platelets (can be given to anyone in an emergency) but don't usually use AB plasma from females due to the risk they have antibodies from a previous pregnancy.

Thanks for starting this thread, I am AB+ and wondered why I have been unable to book an appt! I was hoping it was because all slots were genuinely filled.