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 can’t donate because I’ve had cancer. It is what it is.

It takes all sorts to build a society, and donating blood isn't the only way to contribute.

Some can donate blood, some can give time to read with kids in schools, some lead community groups, some pick up litter as they walk down the street.

We cant all do all the things, and we don't need to all do all the things. Thats why humans live in groups!

I have never been able to give blood due to a childhood illness and l never gave it one thought. I just can't and that's it. It's not like you're deciding not to because you couldn't be bothered or something. Making the decision to do it...going to the trouble of getting there and setting it in motion is equal to doing it as its not your fault and your intentions are purely honourable. Its disappointing but move on as accepting reality always makes things easier.

I have been a life long blood donor and have all the badges. It is lovely to follow your blood and get that text saying when it has finally helped someone.

I think UK blood has changed policy. You might have a more rare/helpful blood group, but generally not advised for previously pregnant women to donate blood or platelets (golden blood) anymore.

https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/the-donor/call-for-more-men-to-give-blood/

https://time.com/4987922/blood-donations-transfusions-pregnant-women/

Wow, that seems a bit crazy. Especially since the contaminated blood scandal in the UK (that affected so many people with haemophilia) was as I recall a consequence of importing blood products from the US.
I guess that the restriction affects so few US potential donors that it was never worthwhile to reconsider it.
Are donors still paid in the US? That always seems a dodgy way of sourcing blood, since it might incentivise people to be dishonest about any reasons (such as infection) why they shouldn't donate.

I'm sorry if someone else has already said this but it is incorrect that you cannot donate bone marrow if you had malaria . Get yourself on that list! Look up Anthony Nolan. They are desperate for mixed race people to be on the register!

Wow, that seems a bit crazy. Especially since the contaminated blood scandal in the UK (that affected so many people with haemophilia) was as I recall a consequence of importing blood products from the US.

Yes, but it's because of things like that which means we have the rules we have today.

The rules on having been to malarial countries have changed a lot over the years, so it's worth checking again if you've been rejected for that in the past.

Aw, OP, I get it. Like you, I got rejected -- like MMAMPWGHAP because I had done IVF in the days before recombinant HMG (ie lab-made, instead of extracted from live humans). And like you, I felt personally rejected. I mean, I'd spent 10 years being not of the normal human race because I couldn't conceive naturally, and years later thought I'd put it all behind me when... WHAM! once again I was not good enough.

The stupidest thing about it, in my view, is that I had been donating blood in the UK for 15 years before Covid hit. I am AB-, a very rare and universally usable blood group, I also have very easily tapped visible veins, and I was always welcome. Suddenly, after the pandemic, I wasn't allowed to donate any more! And even stranger, every single person who grew up in the UK (I moved here at 40) is a higher risk for Jacob-Creuzfeld than me, who had my IVFs and most of my life abroad. I do sometimes wonder if the Red Cross UK have thought this through properly! But anyway, join the club -- we're not even wanted for our blood 😉

I do sometimes wonder if the Red Cross UK have thought this through properly!

Why the Red Cross?

I am AB-, a very rare and universally usable blood group

The NBS (not the Red Cross) don’t really need the rare stuff. There always after O Neg.

@SilentSteps12 Please don't feel bad, its just one of those things. I always struggled to donate blood due to low iron and when I tried to register for bone marrow donation as a friend of mine had leukaemia I was told I never could due to having a translocated chromosome, it doesn't affect me at all but the effect on a recipient is unknown so they said no. As you say its just a shame that some people like us who are willing to help can't for other reasons, I have a rare blood type as well so its unfortunate. Its ok to feel upset about it, if you are home just have a wee cry and let it out then have a nice cup of tea!

AB+ is blood that only other AB+ can receive, that is why. The lucky bit is that you are a universal donee- you can take anyone’s blood.

@athingofbeauty
I am AB-, a very rare and universally usable blood group,

No, while it is a rare blood group, AB- is not universally usable blood group. Only AB+ & AB- can receive your blood.

O- is universal donor, as in universally usable, anyone can receive our blood. Unfortunately, we can only receive O- blood ourselves or we die.