If You Have Never Donated Blood, What’s Your Reason?

[MarmaladeSandwich7]

I went to donate back in the 90s & wasn’t allowed to as I hadn’t long been back from South Africa. Somehow I’ve just never got around to it since but would very much like to. DF donated for years. I have a tendency to be anaemic & so worry that I should maybe hang onto my blood?! My iron levels are fine atm.

Previous transfusions so unable to donate - incredibly grateful for those who can and do

I used to , but cancer required me to stop.

re the anaemia - they test for this before donation, so if you are tending towards anaemia they will not take a donation; they may suggest you visit a gp.

So don’t let that be an excuse until you know for sure.

Just can't really be arsed, it would need childcare, it takes an hour I'd rather spend doing something else.

Don’t weigh enough

I faint during normal blood tests and injections, and I have been growled at by a phlebotomist for it so I've never tried to donate blood. Generally I can manage if I'm lying down now but I just find it awkward and embarrassing so I try to avoid where I can.

My blood type isn’t needed!

I started donating blood pretty early on as my mum used to do the teas and coffees!

later on I used to do it as I’d get free time out of work (I worked in a hospital lab)

if you are able to, do it!
I have a weird blood group which is in demand amongst black communities (I’m white) so I often get letters asking me to donate but I can’t due to cancer

I did for years, occasionally I was sent away because my iron levels were too low but then it would be ok for a while again. I had a while where my iron was terrible and I had an infusion so now they won’t take it.

If you can donate, please do!

Blood donation appointments are actually really hard to get here.

I was anaemic, then I gad a blood transfusion in childbirth.

I'd love to give more but have to travel an hour to do so and it's a nightmare to get an appointment.
I have about 4 times I think or maybe more.
They used to come to every town in the area (quite rural) but now just go to one. Unsurprisingly take up has massively reduced.
They come once a year and for the last 2 I was poorly at the time as well.

Hate having blood taken , fairly small veins. I tried to woman up 10 years ago and went to see if I could give blood but was anaemic. I work for the NHS and tell
myswlf that I contribute in other ways .

Not weighing enough, anaemia and had a double blood transfusion 14 years ago

I do donate (up to number 55 as of yesterday)- I quite enjoy it tbf 😂 I go to a big local donor centre after work which does make it much easier than waiting for the local pop up ones and is also much quicker! I've been in and out in under half an hour many times. I also make sure I eat a packet of crisps, a packet of cheese biscuits and a Kit Kat while I'm there lol 😂

I received blood abroad over 20 years ago so I can't. I also couldn't when I was abroad as I had received blood during the mad cow time in the UK, so they didn't want my blood there either! I feel bad having received in the past.

That's odd. I thought all types were needed. I'm constantly being asked to donate due to being O neg and apparently CMV negative which they said means each donation can go to a number of premature babies. It's a nice feeling to help but I do get low iron at times.. I fainted after the last but one donation which did put me off going again for a bit. My dd has been told she can't donate for a year after iron levels being too low.

I used to give. Then I had a blood transfusion

It seems ridiculous that I can no longer give!
It suggests that they are scared of the blood I received!

I’m actually very annoyed that my blood is no longer good enough.

Same!

I dontate plasma so can't do whole blood, but I used to. When I did it always stuck me every time how difficult it is to get booked in. They always say there's a shortage of doners (which I don't doubt) but appointments get booked up months in advance.

All credit to the people who work at the donation centres, they do a great job. They need some permanent donations centres like they do for plasma.

I was going to but I'd had sex with someone who had been a drug user so had to wait a few years.

Now I have an issue with fainting and anaemia so have not been inclined!

Anaemia, then had blood transfusion.

My understanding is all are needed, just some are in more demand than others

It also seems like they changed the rules in the past decade or so but historically it was a problem that I had sex in a different country, and had sex with man who'd had sex with men.

I faint every time I have blood drawn! No idea why, I’m no scared, but I’ve ended up on the floor once too often!

I meant to for years as a young adult, then when I went along they wouldn’t have me because of some previous cardiac investigations (which came to nothing, but I guess they have to be cautious). Then I needed a transfusion when I gave birth so now I never can. I do feel bad about it.