Forum menu
This thread was a good prompt. I'd fallen out the cycle of booking in at Huddersfield as it books up really quickly. Managed to get a slot at lunchtime in a couple of weeks
Anyone done the Tony Hanncock "I don't mind giving a reasonable amount, but a pint? Why, that's very nearly an armful" Bit yet 🙂
I gave up when i was turned away for arriving on a bicycle. apparently too dangerous to ride home afterwards. Ok to drive home tho
I've never been turned away when going on my bike either. In fact, in my early/younger days of donating I ragged it the few miles to the donation place, got hooked up straight away as they were quiet and there was much less questionnaire preamble then and filled the bag in about 2 minutes as my heartrate hadn't settled. 😁
Also, going to university sessions where 75% of donors were fist timers and not wanting to waste drinking time by having an extended lie down was always good for a laugh. It was like student skittles, they used to put a special row of recovery beds out. 🤣
I also can't donate now after many trips to Africa.... apparently I've got AIDS or malaria despite never having had either.
I donated for the first time for 30 years last week. I was prompted to do so by seeing how cancer patients were helped by transfusions (not cured obviously but given some precious time).
I booked about three months ahead at a mobile centre in a church about a mile from where I work. All staff were very friendly and helpful. Just been to rebook and all slots are filled.
There is a permanent donor centre about nine miles away so might book in there.
Sheffield donor here too, never any issues about booking or going on bike, then they switched me to platelets and plasma (two hour session so time constraints meant bike out of equation), ALWAYS book you again before you leave, (is this why new donors can't get into the regime?). Apparently the system almost orders your platelets/plasma if there's a tissue match with a specific patient somewhere, which I've noticed when you get the text about where it's gone often a long series going to a certain hospital for a while, plus NCP free parking. However after my June donation I was put on hold as all the machines were being conscripted to take plasma from covid 'survivors' for testing /vaccine production and they don't want you to give whole blood if you're a platelet donor so I'm in limbo until they get in touch. Am I to presume that I haven't had a dose of the virus? Surely that would be one of the myriad tests they do on your samples?
Surely that would be one of the myriad tests they do on your samples?
Apparently not, according to the health advice on the Blood App.
A hint for booking your next session. The nurses will give you the date of your next bookable session if you ask. Before I leave I will use the app to book the next session, often your current session hasn’t updated on their website yet, so I “reschedule” my appointment for the next session. A bit cheating, but it gets me booked up every 12-13 weeks.
As someone who benefited greatly from blood and platelet transfusions during chemotherapy I plead with anyone thinking of not donating to please reconsider. It is possibly one of the most selfless acts we can do for a stranger and your kind donations can and will actually save or extend lives.
Thanks to all who do from those who receive.
ALWAYS book you again before you leave
Must be a different process where you are, not been an option in NW England for a couple of years.
... I plead with anyone thinking of not donating to please reconsider.
I think most of use would spunk a pint weekly juanking, it's just bloody awkward to arrange at the moment!
To answer the OP's question..... Hep C, vCJD (to the point that when companies based in the UK are manufacturing plasma derived products, they'd rather get it from poverty stricken areas in the United States) and....
Blood's not quite the same issue as plasma though, I mean the former mostly just gets given to vCJD prion exposed Brits - but it highlights why it might not be exactly easy to give blood.