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Original poster

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

166 replies

Glowup33333 · 03/02/2025 14:36

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?

OP posts:
Marine30 · 03/02/2025 20:17

My mum is AB+ and has got one of those award certificates they give you for donating blood for 50plus years (she is 80).

When she first started giving blood they actually paid her (not a lot) because it was so rare and they needed it.

She has also been turned away once or twice for being slightly too thin like the OP.

MistressoftheDarkSide · 03/02/2025 20:26

This is such an interesting thread, as I'm B Neg and in my younger years tried to become a blood donor. Went down to do the preliminaries, had a sample taken, and then they came back and said "No ta!" And wouldn't give me any other explanation other than that, but did say i jyst wasn'tsuitable to donate, ever. It left me wondering if there was something I should get checked out but I never bothered in the end, and remain relatively healthy.

Couple of decades later they did lots of radio appeals specifically for B neg, and I was a bit "well, I've got plenty, but apparently it ain't the good stuff".

It remains a mystery.

SummerFeverVenice · 03/02/2025 20:29

AlbertCamusflage · 03/02/2025 15:01

I'm an O- donor and I get loads of calls reminding me to donate, and flattering me with messages about how valuable my blood is. Sometimes I feel it would be less pressuring if Dracula himself showed up at my front door.

Me too. I’m a universal donor. Now I have cancer though, I can’t donate anymore and they have stopped pestering me.

ReadingMum95 · 03/02/2025 20:32

I have a similar issue - but my blood is in demand because it’s universal (O-) and I can’t donate because of medical issues and not meeting their criteria 🫣

Dramatic · 03/02/2025 20:32

I'm the opposite, I feel guilty because I can't donate and I'm O-

denhaag · 03/02/2025 20:34

Almostwelsh · 03/02/2025 17:56

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 may well do that - though I don't know how I'd go about it w/o sounding a bit wanky. I'm sure all my male friends and relatives are aware of the need for blood donors.
I bet there aren't that many people being turned away for being under 50kg (7 stone 12). Iron and veins def a bigger issue for women.

OwlInTheOak · 03/02/2025 20:34

Livinginvnam · 03/02/2025 14:55

I've been told on good authority that the majority of the time if you need a blood transfusion they just give you O- without checking anything else, as (almost) everyone can receive that.

The good news is that you can receive (almost) any type of blood should you need it.

They give O- to babies on nicu as standard too even when their blood type is known. Our DS is O+ but was given O- as they said it was slightly safer so given as standard with premature babies.

Lifelover16 · 03/02/2025 20:37

FreedomandPeace · 03/02/2025 15:17

I have no idea what blood group I am.
No one has ever told me.
Ive been giving blood for years
So I’m guessing from reading this thread I must be ‘vanilla’ as @AlbertCamusflage nicely puts it.
I have an appointment in May so I’m determined to find out next time.

Edited

Your blood group should be stated on the front of your Donor Health Check form.

Notonyourjelly · 03/02/2025 20:39

Esdale · 03/02/2025 14:53

Yes, AB+.

Basically got told don't call us, we'll call you 🤣.

Makes sense as only 2% of the population is AB+, and only people with the same blood type can receive it.

Only males can donate plasma btw, so if you're a woman then don't bother looking into it.

I donated plasma quite a few times and I'm female. Perhaps the rules have changed though as I haven't donated for a while.
Interesting about the rarity of AB blood. My Dad was AB+ and a regular donor.

Kelvingrove · 03/02/2025 20:40

Women can donate plasma. I have done it for a while.

prelovedusername · 03/02/2025 20:41

Yes, DD’s blood is no good to anyone except her own small group. Since they can have blood from any other group there’s no point in collecting hers.

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 03/02/2025 20:42

123ZYX · 03/02/2025 15:01

It can depend on the likelihood of people of a particular blood type donating. Some blood types are more likely in people of certain ethnicities, and there can be variation between different groups in how likely they are to donate, so you get a greater proportion of people needing the blood than donating.

Show quote history

Yes, I'm B-, and as I understand it, it's a lot more common in Asians than white people.

kwetu · 03/02/2025 20:45

Esdale · 03/02/2025 14:53

Yes, AB+.

Basically got told don't call us, we'll call you 🤣.

Makes sense as only 2% of the population is AB+, and only people with the same blood type can receive it.

Only males can donate plasma btw, so if you're a woman then don't bother looking into it.

Women in the uk can donate plasma from what I can see.

NattyTurtle59 · 03/02/2025 20:48

kwetu · 03/02/2025 20:45

Women in the uk can donate plasma from what I can see.

Show quote history

I'm not in the UK, but women certainly can donate plasma here so I can't see why they couldn't there.

OneAquaFatball · 03/02/2025 20:51

I cant donate blood due to living in the uk during mad cow disease era, which is frustrating as i also live somewhere you have to replace the blood you receive in hospital. Makes it more complicated

TY78910 · 03/02/2025 20:55

I had no idea they turn people down!
With all the adverts asking to donate, I always thought everyone was in demand!

WaryCrow · 03/02/2025 20:56

PerambulationFrustration · 03/02/2025 20:08

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.

Me too. I wish I could give it back but they’ve still got problems with us.

We’ve got an amber alert for some low blood stocks at the moment.

Purplerain1144 · 03/02/2025 21:00

Yep AB+ here and only donated 3x. Can never get an appt and when I asked they said cos they don't need my blood 🤷

Almostwelsh · 03/02/2025 21:02

UnstableEquilibrium · 03/02/2025 20:13

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

Show quote history

Men have a shorter time they have to wait between donations, presumably because they don't have periods, so you get more blood out of a male donor over the years even without pregnancies.

BeLilacSloth · 03/02/2025 21:02

I’m rhesus negative, been told i’m unable to donate due to crohns disease. I’ve also applied to donate stem cells twice but been refused. Makes me think that when I die my organs will be no use to anyone 😭

Lovelysummerdays · 03/02/2025 21:02

cleowasmycat · 03/02/2025 15:52

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

Show quote history

When I first donated (many years ago) they gave you a pin with your blood type on it at your second visit. You could get a silver/ gold version if you made enough donations.

RedFatball · 03/02/2025 21:03

I'm A+ and am about to do my 50th donations. It's all the awkward questions though. Like "whose blood is this?" and "why is it in a bucket?" that make it a bit tedious...

only joking, but I can't donate plasma, was checked for that, but no ban on women doing it - something to do with antibodies from being pregnant than men react badly to 🤷‍♀️

123ZYX · 03/02/2025 21:06

BeLilacSloth · 03/02/2025 21:02

I’m rhesus negative, been told i’m unable to donate due to crohns disease. I’ve also applied to donate stem cells twice but been refused. Makes me think that when I die my organs will be no use to anyone 😭

That's the case for the vast majority of people, even if they're in perfect health when they die, which isn't the majority of people for obvious reasons. Circumstances have to be exactly right for the organs to be suitable

CraftyNavySeal · 03/02/2025 21:07

Kuretake · 03/02/2025 14:53

I have been asked not to give blood because it's difficult to get blood from me. Does it matter hugely? Nice to try to help out but I just thought oh well and haven't worried since.

Same.

I have O- which is the most in demand but I’m a fainter so they told me not to come back! I’ve tried several times but it’s 50/50 if they get the whole arm full so I’m fine with not going.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 03/02/2025 21:07

I'm O neg and I'm constantly being told that there are no appointments available and I need to book earlier next time. Usually on the day that the donation opportunity is announced. I've (almost) given up trying now...

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