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.

They should put more of the blood donation vans in public places

I started giving blood regularly when I was 18. At around 32 they struggled to find a vein and I would come out with horrendous bruises. The last time I donated I was told that they couldn’t use my blood as it had taken so long it had started to coagulate. Haven’t donated since. Like others, getting an appointment to donate around here is nigh on impossible.

I have issues with low iron. Managed to donate once and then failed attempts since. Haven’t tried for a decade, but needed an iron infusion last year so wouldn’t fancy my chances for long.

AB+ females are told (I was, aside from my other issues as to why I can’t donate) to only book in for donation if requested. I double checked and this is on the website. ab+ males are more desired as they can be used for ffp (fresh frozen plasma). So, yes, they will ask you not to book in in future if you turn up to donate.

Altruism.
My iron levels are low (not too low, but too low to donate blood), but I eat lots of green veg and take iron tablets for a few weeks before and after giving blood and it’s fine.

Like 99% of the population (or so it feels at times!) I'm ineligible.

Had a transfusion. Before that I was too squeamish. Am on the DMKS register at least, which sounds far more horrendous. My mum and sister are both massive blood donators and me and my dad are both too pathetic (although I could definitely bring myself to do it nowadays if I was allowed). Will mention to DH he should do it!

Not a hill I’m willing to die on at the door 🤷🏼‍♀️

I used to go regularly but they switched from drop-in to appointments and I just never got round to making an appointment and eventually forgot about it. Coincidentally I had some extensive bruising after my last donation, that probably put me off it a bit too.

I used to donate occasionally but then for a while ended up on medication to suppress a severely overactive thyroid. That meant I couldn't donate for a few years.

That was almost 20 years ago now. I've got a few health issues even though the thyroid one was resolved with radioactive iodine. I take several sets of medication each day so I don't know whether I would be accepted as a donor now. Might enquire again, but I suspect I would not be accepted.

Same for me

I've lived overseas now for years and British blood is not wanted anywhere!

Fundamentally do not believe in the ethicality of transplant and transfusion, and yes, I have an Advance Statement declaring I am not to be transfused or transplanted under any circumstance. Whether doctors actually pay any attention to it or not is another matter.

Why not? Why do you consider it to be unethical? Genuine question.

Previous blood transfusions

I tried 3 times, but iron was never high enough, so got told to stop trying. I wasn't anemic, jut lower than their requirements. It was also really difficult to get appointments. Someone once called me to try again and there was nothing within 20 miles in 6 months. I do think they need to make it easier if they want more donors.

Jehovah's Witness? Can't see the logic in your position whether you are a JW or not, but it's your choice. Hope you don't attempt to impose your views on your children.

I didn’t go for a while - all too difficult to get an appointment. The new App has been brilliant. I’ve been several times recently and it’s been v efficient. They’ve found my invisible veins and the blood has come out, albeit slowly.

I would love to, but the last few times I was supposed to have been injected, I had panic attacks and ran off 😳The only way I eventually managed to stay in a dentist's chair was while on strong beta blockers and diazepam.

It's odd, as I can use needles (on farm animals) at work, but I can't deal with them being aimed at me for some strange reason. Mind you, anxiety isn't exactly reasonable at the best of times. I'm very grateful to those of you who do donate, though, as it gave me a few extra years with my grandad!

threads like this mostly

Tried it once but felt quite faint

I would love to but, unfortunately, I am listed on GP notes as a "Terrible bleeder".

I have very weird horizontal veins apparently which constantly collapse during blood tests.☹️

Me having a blood test is literally like a military operation.

Medically due to epilepsy, b12 and iron deficiency I cannot donate. I’m on medication twice a day.

I have a blood clotting disorder so can’t

I donate as I was told that my blood can be used for babies and that’s not common. I’m O+ so it’s always in demand.