To ask if anyone else can't donate blood due to their type?

[Glowup33333]

I've searched for an appointment between now and December 2025, even 2 hours away and there is nothing.
I am AB+ which apparently is a rare type that not many people can receive, so there is low demand for my blood. I donated a couple of years ago but I've been trying for a long time to get an appointment to no avail.
I'm eligible to donate plasma, but my nearest centre is 3 hours away (only 3 in the country) and I was told I may be refused at the appointment due to my weight not being what they required, so it didn't seem worth the risk.

It's a shame but not much I can do, has anyone else had this?

whoever told you that is not 'a good authority'. In an emergency, where there isn't time to process group specific or fully cross matched blood before serious harm occurs, then O-ve blood will be used. Where possible though it is far better to use cross matched blood (and depending on whether that hospital already has G&S samples for you, that may only take 10 mins or may take up to about 40 mins to process).

I'm the same and when I try and make an appointment I'm told "how about 12 weeks on Wednesday two hours away"

It should be on the form you fill out each time or on your online account

I go to a drop in bus that turns up near my office regularly throughout the year
However
I have a new GP now and have signed up online for the first time and my first non drop in appointment is in May, so perhaps I’ll find out.

Not only that (as in rare) but we can receive blood off everyone else so storing our blood type really isn't desirable/needed.

I'm A RH negative and no one wants my blood. Every few years I look into donating,but always get told no.

Exactly the same, I'm AB+ and basically got told as a previous poster - don't contact us, we'll contact you when / IF we ever need you. But we won't....

I tried!

Have you called them or just searched on their website? My husband has found a phone call often results in him getting a suitable appointment.

Edit. Sorry just seen that others of your blood type have been told they can't have an appointment so ignore me!

Poor DS. He's also O-. I have always told him when he gets old enough, he will have to donate blood as it's so useful. He was really very resistant and upset... until I worked out that he thought that woudl be his job... to just donate blood!

I can't give blood as I'm married to someone who was born in Africa. the fact that I've been married to him for 20 years seems to be irrelevant. Apparently if he's willing to donate simultaneously, they might accept it as they can test our blood at the same time but that has never been something I'v ebeen able to make work.

It's annoying as I'm A- which I believe is the one most useful for platelets.

When I give blood, the people
giving plasma are almost always men. I was told my veins are too small to even consider it (though I’ve never had any issue giving blood) and looking at the calculator I’m also borderline on weight for my height (and I’m not tiny, by any means). So I think perhaps the criteria exclude a lot of women.

But the ready salted plain crisps really ARE the best crisps!

I was told I couldn't donate due to medications. It's disappointing.

It would have been nice to give blood.

I'm also b-, but receive emails/phone calls constantly when I am due to give blood. Have always been told it is very much in demand, so I cant understand why you are being told the opposite. I love getting the text telling me where it has been used, makes it all worthwhile.

I've never heard of this, the blood people are always clamouring for it!

I can't give blood. Not because of the type of it (A+) but because I have MS. That was one of the saddest things really, immediate refusal.

Good on anyone who is a blood donor.

I've been banned from donating because of how difficult it was to get my blood. It was originally only a 1 year ban due to an issue with my iron and now it's permanent.

Me too. I have blocked their phone number now. I have never missed an appointment, so I don't need reminding every 5 minutes!

I can’t give blood because I’ve had a blood transfusion myself, because of the risk of contamination, which is a bit concerning! It’s like they’re saying it wasn’t considered a risk when they were giving it to me, but it’s too much of a risk to pass it on to someone else.

I always thought that if you had a rare blood type,it was in high demand!

I was heartbroken when I realised that having had cancer meant I could no longer donate. I am also O- and was on the emergency donor list for the trauma centre. It was one little thing I could do, for nothing more than a Tuc cheese biscuit.

I'm AB+ and have donated numerous times. In Scotland so not sure if they run things differently up here in terms of distribution/separating blood products. Although it's a rare blood time it can be given to more than just the 3% who have it in an emergency (my understanding anyway)

Anyone who can't give blood and would like to, can you do your bit by persuading a male friend or relative to go on your behalf?

I believe they prefer male donors as they can give blood more frequently and are less likely to fail the bodyweight and iron tests and have bigger veins, but they make up less than 50% of donors.

I can't give blood either because I've had a transfusion. I almost died after giving birth and it's thanks to people who give blood that I'm alive and my dc grew up with a mum, so thank you all.

Also AB+ but can't donate anyway even if they wanted my blood because of pernicious anaemia

Also men don't have to take time off for pregnancies. I lost several good donating years to TTC, IVF and pregnancies.

I'm B-. I quite regularly receive emails saying please give blood- we are desperate etc, so I book to do it (usually the only appointment I can get is months in advance) and then the last time they emailed on the day saying they have had to cancel the appointment, but my sister's appointment on the same day was still fine.