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Original poster

Donated blood today..

33 replies

Klaudia14 · 07/09/2020 19:53

Been donating for years and this is my first in the pandemic and I must say I was very impressed with the staff, cleanliness, mask wearing and just the general mood in the hall. Made me feel safe and so lovely to see so many people donating blood.

Not sure if anyone is interested but thought I'd mention it in case someone was considering going for first time or as a returning donor.

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 07/09/2020 20:00

Yes, I went in July and was pleasantly surprised at the routine.

I must make my follow up appontment actually.

TryAnotherNickname · 07/09/2020 20:01

I’m in next week and have found this reassuring- thanks (just as long as they still have the club biscuits etc)

Thisismytimetoshine · 07/09/2020 20:02

That's good to hear.

JaJaDingDong · 07/09/2020 20:02

I went a few weeks ago (my 52st 😇), and I'd agree with you. It's extremely well organised.

JaJaDingDong · 07/09/2020 20:03

51st. Getting ahead of myself.

hastingsmua1 · 07/09/2020 20:04

Ahh the last time I donated the nurses had an odd attitude, it was like donors were a massive inconvenience and if anything, they were doing us a favour! It was an unwelcoming environment but I’d be happy to donate again (elsewhere) if my blood type wasn’t so useless!

TorysSuckRevokeArticle50 · 07/09/2020 20:05

I'm having bad luck, went and they sent a txt cancelling due to staffing just as I walked through the door, the next time I was anaemic and went again at the weekend, passed the iron test but then no amount of wiggling the needle could find any blood.

But yes agree OP the measures they're taking make it all feel very hygienic and safe.

Just wish I could actually give blood Grin

DisgruntledPelican · 07/09/2020 20:06

Good to hear, OP. I have been sent letters a lot recently, but I’ve just become eligible again after having a baby. You’ve reminded me to make an appointment.

Vinorosso74 · 07/09/2020 20:10

I went in June and found it very efficient. Was a bit odd all the chairs in the before and snack areas being so far apart.
I usually donate at the central London donor centre by Oxford Circus who are great but I wanted to avoid public transport (or a long walk home) so went to a more local session and am booked in for October which will be my 40th. Am hoping I can make 50 by 50!

Original poster
Klaudia14 · 07/09/2020 20:25

Lovely to hear other good experiences. I have had the odd rude nurse at previous sessions but don't let that stop me . I love getting the texts that tell me where my blood ended up. I broke down in tears when I got a text to tell me it went to Great Ormond Street hospital. I have a more rare blood type so will not stop donating unless they tell me ( I'm always nervous during the hemoglobin test as l have failed it a few times) . I'm on my 22nd as was petrified of needles but eventually overcame this and never looked back

@TryAnotherNickname oh yes, got my Club...really is the only reason I go Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Klaudia14 · 07/09/2020 20:27

@Vinorosso74 Wow!! 50 by 50 would be amazing!!

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 07/09/2020 20:28

I was gutted there were no clubs on my last visit! The donor centre tends to be better stocked on the snack front although the Crimbles macaroons and fresh fruit are no more....

RhinestoneCowgirl · 07/09/2020 20:32

I went in May and have another session booked next week. There was no tea last time, but they did bring me squash (and the essential club biscuits) to me in my donating chair.

I'm aiming for 50 by 50 too Grin

QueenMabby · 07/09/2020 20:48

I went in April and am booked in again for tomorrow. Also aiming for 50 before 50. I’m having to use a new centre tomorrow so it’ll be interesting to see what it’s like. My previous one was very efficient in April.

WhamRap · 07/09/2020 20:51

hastingsmua1 how do you mean your blood type is useless? They are all important!

cailinvelo · 07/09/2020 20:59

Thank you OP, I have been meaning to register since I stopped BF! All registered now... I think!

hastingsmua1 · 07/09/2020 21:17

@WhamRap

hastingsmua1 how do you mean your blood type is useless? They are all important!
Haha well I’m female and AB+ so it’s unnecessary for me to donate as my blood can only be used for AB+ patients (rare) and male plasma donations are safer for the receiver
Original poster
Klaudia14 · 07/09/2020 21:21

I just realised, if by some miracle I can donate 3 times a year for the next 10 years I will make it to 50 by 50.....

@cailinvelo woohoo!! Well done on registering Smile

OP posts:
WhamRap · 08/09/2020 18:35

@hastingsmua1 I never thought about being a rare blood type and therefore less people needing it. Do they actually tell you that at donation?

Healththrowaway199 · 08/09/2020 19:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Furrybootsyecomfy · 08/09/2020 19:10

So jealous of donors in other parts of the UK who still get Clubs- in Scotland they’ve replaced them with Tunnocks and “healthy alternatives” Angry

Original poster
Klaudia14 · 08/09/2020 19:21

@hastingsmua1 I learned something new today!! Have you ever had a call?

I'm B- and it's always been on the rare but needed list as only 2% of donors are from this blood group.

OP posts:
Original poster
Klaudia14 · 08/09/2020 19:25

@Furrybootsyecomfy who wants healthy after donating blood?! The closest to 'healthy' we got was with with special k bars last year.... yuck!

OP posts:
TryAnotherNickname · 08/09/2020 19:37

Here’s a fantastic story for you blood letters about the man with the rarest blood in the world - mosaicscience.com/story/man-golden-blood/

nowaitaminute · 08/09/2020 19:42

I would LOVE to donate blood but I can't be because I had a transfusion myself 5 years ago. Such a shame!