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.

@Lamelie that’s so weird, I’m not near those places but they aren’t a million miles away and they told me they didn’t want my blood as ab+ but if I was a man they would as they would more likely be able to use it for plasma. I think the issue is that a lot of women don’t have the blood volume to donate plasma. The checker on the website tells me I’d need to gain over two stone to be eligible.

I've had a transfusion. Shame because despite being white British I also have the Ro subtype (Ro is much more common in people from minority ethic communities) and am absolutely in demand, especially for people with sickle cell disease.

I have ME and unable to give blood due to fear it could be transmitted to the receivers.

Before I learnt that, I spent years feeling exhausted so giving a pint of blood was simply a no-no for me.
Before that, a simple fear of needles stopped me. I have to say infusions, blood tests etc… put a stop to that fear 😁

Dh used to give blood very regularly. Did so twice a year for about 20 years. And then it became harder and harder to do so. Less places you could give blood. Awkward times. Being told it wasn’t as necessary. He gave up.

Risky activities such as travelling on any form of transport or walking down the street? Are you immune to illness which might require surgery or result in anaemia or bleeding?

Of all the units of blood I've administered, I could probably count on one hand the number that were for skydivers or bungee jumpers, but lots were for people who'd been hit by cars, been involved in car accidents, or had some form of cancer.

Ok? As I say, it isn't something I've really considered. I'm not crazy about needles, if I'm honest. I just don't feel the need to apologise for never having given blood! Good lord.

Don’t weigh enough

Firstly they couldn't get any blood out of me. I currently have regular bloodwork done and it's still a problem for all but the best trained.

Secondly in 1988 I had a blood transfusion so that disqualified me.

I've got that too. No doctor seems to understand why.

I've donated three times, the idea being to get past my needle phobia! Then lockdown and I've somehow never got back round to doing it. I really must, though.

So you never travel in a car?

Give it a rest!

Wow. I think you might change your tune if you or one of your three children ever needed life saving blood. You’d be grateful of the “do-gooders” then wouldn’t you!

I'm already grateful to the do gooders. I just don't want to be one. There are plenty of things that some people do that others don't. As I said when I tried it was 4 month wait for an appointment over 45mins away. That hardly screams out that they need more people. If anything it says there are too many already.

I've recently been diagnosed with hemochromatosis (iron overload) and will need to give blood to keep my levels down.
I immediately signed up to the Blood Transfusion service. However I'm still waiting for my first Haematology consultant appointment (it's been 10 months so far..) and apparently I can't give blood until they give the official go-ahead,so that's 2-3 pints of blood they could have had, but haven't, due to NHS delays.

Seems mad.

Anaemia, then I didn't weigh enough. Then I had anti-thyroid treatment and not able to donate until two years after that finishes. Then I got cancer.

Low ferritin

You calling me fat?! (I’m 9 stone)
I think as they know I can donate, they persist- they literally try and book me in as I leave and call as I travel home.

Transfusion.

Which is a shame as I am O RH neg

I donate as frequently as I can. There are no issues getting appointments at the permanent donor centres so I go there. Last donation took less than 5min in the chair (well hydrated!). My blood goes to neonatal babies and I’m very proud of that, at least it’s not going to some of the selfish pricks on this thread!

I used to give regularly; sometimes my blob from the finger prick would float/sink (whichever one meant you couldn’t give) and I’d be deferred for a while. It used to be so simple - turn up, sit in the line for a bit, in and out in an hour and a Club biscuit.

Since they changed to appointment only it’s a farce - if you can actually get an appointment they’re always running behind and it takes more like 2 hours, most of which is waiting to make it to the chair. I don’t think I’ve been for about three/ four years now.

I was asked to give plasma but the closest centre you would do that at was a long way away.

(Sorry, meant Blood Donation service, obviously!)

I gave blood regularly for years, but after I had fertility treatment, they said no. Tried again last year, they still said no. They also would’ve said no because I have monthly acupuncture. There are lots of reason why you might be willing but they say no. After the infected blood scandals, it has to be that way🤷🏽‍♂️

I have been a few times but go less than once a year on average. Although i just about scrape through the iron tests, I feel dizzy, weak and faint constantly for weeks or even months afterwards. I think it takes me longer than most to "replenish".
It's a big deal in my family as everybody donates and I'm sad I will probably never be able to reach the 100+ mark like all of my family have.

Would love to but have had multiple blood transfusions. I can't donate bone marrow either because of this reason.

I have MS so can't.