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.

I do occasionally but it makes me feel really ill for the whole evening afterwards. So I have to be sure I can rest as my whole evening is wiped out. I used to faint regularly afterwards and now I just feel light headed and awful. I persist however as I believe if you can, you should. I must book another appointment!

Worked in a place that was next to a post office big depot and they had the blood people go there . They encouraged other local companies to take part so I went along . Changed jobs , moved , still found my local donation clinic to go along . Got married , recruited dh to donate .
Both now on medication that does not allow us to anymore .

Haha misread the question !

Had a blood transfusion so was told I couldn't after that. Trying to get somewhere to give blood isn't easy tho, as other people have said. Also, they used to come to the civic centre so employees could give blood if they wanted to - that's how I started - but they stopped doing that years before covid. No idea why as I would have thought that would be a fairly resourceful way of doing it.

I don’t think they test ferritin levels though, only serum iron levels? Which wouldn’t pick up all cases of iron deficiency anaemia (eg where serum iron is normal but ferritin is low).

I have 3 monthly B12 injections so that might affect it? Another one with really tricky veins, although it seems to depend on who I get for a blood test - some nurses have no problem at all.

I did once (18) and was told not to come back. I have tiny veins and giving blood is always a nightmare for me.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g yeah, maybe it depends on the area. I remember seeing a thread about someone who was told ‘no thank you’ a few months back and I was surprised at many people were in the same boat!

I used to but then there were just so many barriers.. recent piercings, sexual experiences etc

banned because I had medical treatment in the USA, think rules may have changed but was told in 2004 that I would never be allowed to

Same here! Gave about 10 pints in my 20s and have tried since then but its a waste of time.

Because I am not able to - having received blood and plasma before totally would if I could as it is literally life saving 🩸

I was diagnosed with epilepsy as a teenager, the medication means I have never been in a position to donate.

I've been on medication for years which means I can't donate. I know not all medication excludes you but mines on the list of not accepted.

I carry the beta thalassemia trait so I can only donate if my haemoglobin is high enough. When I went to donate I was tested and told I couldn't and would need to wait a year before trying again.

I’ve had a blood transfusion.

I’m so eternally grateful to the person who donated the blood and it makes me sad I can’t reciprocate.

I tried twice and was anemic both times so they struck me off. I also have the second most common blood type A* which isn’t particularly useful to them.

It's quite easy to not meet the qualifications I think. I dont weigh enough (although post Xmas might have solved that one 😂), I have stupidly tiny veins and I have iron/anemia issues.

I didn't realistic botox was also one, I have regular botox for dental reasons.

I tried once when I was at university. I fainted halfway through, not trying again!

I've had two transfusions so can't donate but wouldn't be able to donate anyway as a Brit living in Europe in case I have mad cow disease

I didn't donate until I was about 40. The reasons were I'd had jaundice which stopped me for years and then I was either pregnant or breast feeding for about 10 years.
A friends son became seriously ill and she mentioned the need for O negative donors (which i am) so that prompted me to begin.
It turns out I also don't have cytomegalovirus antibodies so my blood is used exclusively for newborn babies and it's in high demand.

Edited because of typos

Gave 20 pints from 18 to 25 then needed a blood transfusion in my late 20s, so can't anymore.

I used to donate, quite enjoyed it!

I became really anaemic and had to have iron infusions after perimenopausal flooding. I had to be followed up by a haematologist and now have annual anaemia reviews. So won't be donating again.

DH was a regular donor but they cancelled appointments repeatedly and stopped all our local clinics. We should look to get back in the system.

Don’t weigh enough and hate needle.

I’m unable to donate.

i have given blood twice and have been struck off. Poor veins, chronic illness and wrong blood type.