Been told that I could NEVER donate blood and do bone marrow transplant

[SilentSteps12]

Got the worst ever feeling today after coming to the blood donor centre to donate blood. Everything was going so well before getting my blood taken and then I was told that after some blood test, they found antibodies in the blood. They couldn’t specify what it was but they suspected malaria because I was born in the Philippines. I’m mixed (white and Asian) and there aren’t a lot of donors of this ethnicity so I was really wanting to help with that but the fact that they said I could NEVER donate blood or even do register for bone marrow transplant just made me feel so utterly disappointed in myself. I told the nurse whilst trying to hold back tears “that’s a shame” and she said that it’s. not a shame because they wouldn’t want any blood containing antibodies for a disease to be given to someone who does not have it. True enough but I told her that I just felt like a pain in the ass for wasting their time and a complete failure that I couldn’t even do this one simple thing. I hate myself. 😔

I mean this kindly, this isn’t a normal reaction to being unable to donate blood. Is there something else going on in your life and it’s spilling over into things like this? Because it sounds like you may need a little bit of a boost up.

You aren’t a failure and you didn’t waste anyone’s time. You tried to do a really generous thing. Don’t feel bad about it - it’s beyond your control.

I can’t donate due to small risk of mad cow disease (CJD) due to IVF drugs taken 20 years ago.

Didn’t think any the less of myself for it.

I don't know why you feel disappointed, it's for protection of those receiving the blood, they have to be very strict. I can't donate after having low blood iron, it's no big deal. You're not wasting their time, how else would you find out.

This is a very extreme reaction. I can't donate blood for medical reasons. It's a shame but I've not really given it any more thought than that.

Yes it's a shame, but hating yourself is a very strange reaction.

It’s admirable you really wanted to help but sometimes this happens. I keep getting texts and emails asking for my blood as they’re low on my blood type, however I have had a recent piercing, have a viral illness and am anaemic so I can’t. I feel guilty but I accept it’s for the recipients’ (and my) safety, so I don’t hate myself. That does seem a bit of a strong reaction.

I can't donate because I've had cancer. It's nothing to get upset about - the blood collection people just have to protect the safety of the people who receive the blood.

I was really upset when I was told I could no longer donate blood, after I was diagnosed with MS. They don't want my bone marrow either. I was Andy with the disease for taking that away. So I do get it OP.

Bit your reaction is a bit OTT op.

@SilentSteps12

There is all sorts of various reasons why people aren't allowed to donate their blood ,

I am one of them due to me put into category as being automine deficiencies disorder cause of athritis medication in last several year

I couldn't donate blood before miscarriage

I think 🤔 you are way over thinking this

definitely not a failure either...

I have low bp- it used to be just on the edge so could donate, but after 5 failed attempts over a year they said I should stop trying. It does suck but you tried x

Don't feel bad! I can't donate blood either for more than one reason, none of which are my fault, they are just medical reasons to keep everyone safe. It's not personal to me. It was probably upsetting as you psyched yourself up for it and then were shuffled out!

I can’t donate either. It is what it is. There is no point hating yourself

I can't donate blood because of living abroad- they may have changed the rules but it was a case of no donating if you have spent over a certain amount of time in prohibited areas, or had certain medical procedures.

I could donate bone marrow to a recipient known to me, just not the general registry

It’s not the end of the world, there’s worse things to worry about. I too can’t give blood and I have a blood group that’s not so common, but it is what it is 🤷‍♀️

Donating blood is a black and white situation. If anything prohibited comes up during testing, you can’t do it. Simple as that. It doesn’t make you a failure. There is no point in “hating yourself”. You applied to do a decent thing and unfortunately are ineligible to be able to go through with it. The majority of people don’t even take the time out to try.

I have been sent away a few times for having low haemoglobin, and it does make you feel sad. You try to give something, and you can’t.

Not much I can say, but I do understand a bit of how you feel.

I can't donate because I always fail the haemoglobin test despite not being anaemic when I'm tested at the doctor's.

It's a shame, especially when they won't stop bloody sending me texts telling me that they really need my blood group, but it is what it is.

They don't need me potentially making myself ill by donating, or worse making someone else ill with my slightly pathetic blood.

Loads of people can't. I was told not to any more as I fainted two of the three times I donated, family members can't because they've received a transfusion. It's unfortunate but not a big deal.

Don't feel bad, at least you tried to donate which is more than the majority of people do! 🫂

Hating yourself is a really odd reaction.

Hating yourself is a bit extreme.

The Donation Centre asked me not to come any more as I kept fainting afterwards. I was just a bit disappointed.

DH can't donate as he has a donor graft in his eyes. I don't think this bothered him at all.

Loads of people can't donate and it doesn't mean they are faulty in any way.

I can't give blood and whilst it's disappointing it's not something I dwell on or feel devastated about.

You are an amazing person for even contemplating donating blood. So few actually do, so give yourself a big thumbs up for even attempting it.
OK, so it wasn't a success, but if you can get half a dozen people to sign up to donate because you will talk about it, that's a success in a different way.