I *hate* needles but manage to donate over 6-12 months or so, it’s really quick and painless and you get Club Bars and school squash at the end of it
I ended up matching with someone on the Bone Marrow registry last year and went through donation, can also recommend doing that you get really well looked after through it all (BBMR)
They’ve made it harder to donate recently. You can no longer take children along with you, which rules out a weekday appointment.
I haven’t been back since they messed me about, made me wait 45 minutes after my appointment time and let a walk in through before me. I should let it go and book.
I have a rare blood type and have given blood in the past. The NHS call me at least once or twice a week trying to get me to donate, but they only have appointments at a donor centre in my closest city between 9-5pm on weekdays, and then about one appointment 4 months away on a Saturday in another city 15 miles away.
I used to be able to go to my local church every few months and donate! It’s not for lack of trying.
It’s honestly not that bad and it’s truly a good/critical thing to do for others. Just give it a shot and claim the promised biscuit…. Club, generally….
…. Orange, if it’s going…
(You even get nifty pin badges if you keep at it).
I would absolutely love to, because a blood transfusion saved my life 29 years ago, but it’s why I can’t give blood. I’d love to give back, in a sense.
I mean, I get why they don’t allow it, but it still sucks.
I’ve signed up and had appointments delayed multiple times then cancelled, happened a few times over the years several. Been trying on and off for years. Seems weird that they are desperate but not even asking those already signed up and known to be willing? Maybe it’s a regional shortage or a particular type but my partner has that type of blood they really want and hasn’t been contacted either.
Only tried once but the attitude of the nurses were horrible so never went back. I don’t expect high fives and hugs because I am donating blood but at the very least they could be a little more patient finding my vein if it is taking more than usual, it’s your job ffs.
I’d love to but I had a blood transfusion when my appendix was removed which makes me ineligible!
Gutted when I found out. Still hoping this will change in the future.
They shut down the centre down the road from me where you could donate, now it’s a trip to the hospital but only during working hours. Bring back local centres or mobile units. And I’m in London, not exactly out in the sticks
This week is National Blood Donor Week too, must be why they wrote the article now.
I donate plasma every two weeks but fully agree with what everyone says about not being able to donate, the online system isn’t the best
Specifically about plasma, in England there are only 3 places you can donate: Reading, Twickenham and Birmingham, so how are people up North expected to donate? 🤔 I know it requires capital to get these things running but it would be nice if it was sorted out.
On a more positive note, I just checked the NHS Blood app and I can’t get to the site as there’s a queue, I imagine that means there’s a lot of people signing up right now 👍👍
Tried but like Taylor Swift put it, ive got bad blood.
I did register with these guys which is just as important tho
Already do, booked in again on friday… its a good think to do and it also keeps my hematocrit in check due to my TRT.
If you’ve never given blood please give it a go! I have pretty naff veins and thought I wouldn’t be able to. I’m on donation number 11, and they’ve only ever missed it once. It’s always worth trying ❤️ drink plenty, eat well the day of, and see what happens.
I would love to and was prompted to try and book an appointment when I read this last night. Unfortunately the closest venue is 10 miles away because they have stopped offering appointments in my hometown. We simultaneously don’t have enough blood but are making it harder to donate 🤔
I’m hoping to donate today. I had low iron last time so took a break.
I know there will be comments about how it’s hard to book appointments. But it’s worth doing even semi regularly as I do.
That’s all very well and good, but there’s no where even near me to donate blood. There used to be one that would come around once a month at a local church, but you had to book as well, and they would always be fully booked
I recently gave my 6th donation. O- blood so I feel compelled to donate, the text I got saying that my blood had been issued at a children’s hospital solidified that.
Got my 25 donation pin badge earlier this year.
A nice thing that Blood UK have introduced recently is they send you a text telling you where your blood has been sent to. I’m creating a little pin map of where mine has gone.
I give blood as much as I can, but unfortunately, they make it so difficult. Where I am, donation dates are few and far between, and they constantly get cancelled (I once had two donations cancelled in a row, both on the same day 🙃).
They really need to get it sorted out.
I got my badge, it it just got harder and harder to donate, even with an appointment, I was often waiting for an hour before bleeding for them. Make it easier, make it better sign Posted in advance and they will come.
I’m now on 60 something donations and have been going regularly for years. I’m lucky that there’s a permanent site in my city so I can go easily.
I have A+ CMV- blood which is generally used for newborns and people with cancer.
I’d donate for the Club biscuits and squash alone but knowing I can help someone by taking a couple of hours out of my day, is a bonus.
My mum’s life was saved by a blood donation, I’ve repaid those 5 units she had many times now but I’ll keep going until they tell me to stop.
I’ve given blood for many years but in the past few years I’ve had quite a few appointments cancelled/ rescheduled. Appointments also book up very quickly. Personally I think more reliable donor sessions and more appointments slots would help things a lot
I tried to donate blood. Made appointment for first free slot – three months waiting(September). Appointment was canceled about two weeks before the date. I made another appointment – first free slot was in January, it was canceled again. Tried again few months later – it was cancelled again. I gave up now.
I used to donate regularly in Poland – it was walk-in service. It was always fun, I miss it.
I used to do it monthly, they would come to the local community centre, set up and be busy all day with 10+ beds.
Now you have to drive into the city, pay to park (if you can find a space) and it now takes up far too much of a day instead of an hour inc the cuppa afterwards when it was locally setup.
I as a working person just can’t make it work anymore.
28 comments
BBC could have at least included a link to the NHS site where people can sign up and/or get more information about eligibility.
https://my.blood.co.uk/sign-up/?intent=blood
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Can really recommend goign to give blood
I *hate* needles but manage to donate over 6-12 months or so, it’s really quick and painless and you get Club Bars and school squash at the end of it
I ended up matching with someone on the Bone Marrow registry last year and went through donation, can also recommend doing that you get really well looked after through it all (BBMR)
They’ve made it harder to donate recently. You can no longer take children along with you, which rules out a weekday appointment.
I haven’t been back since they messed me about, made me wait 45 minutes after my appointment time and let a walk in through before me. I should let it go and book.
I have a rare blood type and have given blood in the past. The NHS call me at least once or twice a week trying to get me to donate, but they only have appointments at a donor centre in my closest city between 9-5pm on weekdays, and then about one appointment 4 months away on a Saturday in another city 15 miles away.
I used to be able to go to my local church every few months and donate! It’s not for lack of trying.
It’s honestly not that bad and it’s truly a good/critical thing to do for others. Just give it a shot and claim the promised biscuit…. Club, generally….
…. Orange, if it’s going…
(You even get nifty pin badges if you keep at it).
I would absolutely love to, because a blood transfusion saved my life 29 years ago, but it’s why I can’t give blood. I’d love to give back, in a sense.
I mean, I get why they don’t allow it, but it still sucks.
I’ve signed up and had appointments delayed multiple times then cancelled, happened a few times over the years several. Been trying on and off for years. Seems weird that they are desperate but not even asking those already signed up and known to be willing? Maybe it’s a regional shortage or a particular type but my partner has that type of blood they really want and hasn’t been contacted either.
Free biscuits and tea -> this way -> [https://my.blood.co.uk/sign-up/?intent=blood](https://my.blood.co.uk/sign-up/?intent=blood)
Only tried once but the attitude of the nurses were horrible so never went back. I don’t expect high fives and hugs because I am donating blood but at the very least they could be a little more patient finding my vein if it is taking more than usual, it’s your job ffs.
I’d love to but I had a blood transfusion when my appendix was removed which makes me ineligible!
Gutted when I found out. Still hoping this will change in the future.
They shut down the centre down the road from me where you could donate, now it’s a trip to the hospital but only during working hours. Bring back local centres or mobile units. And I’m in London, not exactly out in the sticks
This week is National Blood Donor Week too, must be why they wrote the article now.
I donate plasma every two weeks but fully agree with what everyone says about not being able to donate, the online system isn’t the best
Specifically about plasma, in England there are only 3 places you can donate: Reading, Twickenham and Birmingham, so how are people up North expected to donate? 🤔 I know it requires capital to get these things running but it would be nice if it was sorted out.
On a more positive note, I just checked the NHS Blood app and I can’t get to the site as there’s a queue, I imagine that means there’s a lot of people signing up right now 👍👍
Tried but like Taylor Swift put it, ive got bad blood.
I did register with these guys which is just as important tho
https://www.dkms.org.uk/learn-more/about-dkms/dkms-around-the-world
Already do, booked in again on friday… its a good think to do and it also keeps my hematocrit in check due to my TRT.
If you’ve never given blood please give it a go! I have pretty naff veins and thought I wouldn’t be able to. I’m on donation number 11, and they’ve only ever missed it once. It’s always worth trying ❤️ drink plenty, eat well the day of, and see what happens.
Wales has its own Blood donation site, https://www.welsh-blood.org.uk/
I would love to and was prompted to try and book an appointment when I read this last night. Unfortunately the closest venue is 10 miles away because they have stopped offering appointments in my hometown. We simultaneously don’t have enough blood but are making it harder to donate 🤔
I’m hoping to donate today. I had low iron last time so took a break.
I know there will be comments about how it’s hard to book appointments. But it’s worth doing even semi regularly as I do.
That’s all very well and good, but there’s no where even near me to donate blood. There used to be one that would come around once a month at a local church, but you had to book as well, and they would always be fully booked
I recently gave my 6th donation. O- blood so I feel compelled to donate, the text I got saying that my blood had been issued at a children’s hospital solidified that.
Got my 25 donation pin badge earlier this year.
A nice thing that Blood UK have introduced recently is they send you a text telling you where your blood has been sent to. I’m creating a little pin map of where mine has gone.
I give blood as much as I can, but unfortunately, they make it so difficult. Where I am, donation dates are few and far between, and they constantly get cancelled (I once had two donations cancelled in a row, both on the same day 🙃).
They really need to get it sorted out.
I got my badge, it it just got harder and harder to donate, even with an appointment, I was often waiting for an hour before bleeding for them. Make it easier, make it better sign Posted in advance and they will come.
I’m now on 60 something donations and have been going regularly for years. I’m lucky that there’s a permanent site in my city so I can go easily.
I have A+ CMV- blood which is generally used for newborns and people with cancer.
I’d donate for the Club biscuits and squash alone but knowing I can help someone by taking a couple of hours out of my day, is a bonus.
My mum’s life was saved by a blood donation, I’ve repaid those 5 units she had many times now but I’ll keep going until they tell me to stop.
I’ve given blood for many years but in the past few years I’ve had quite a few appointments cancelled/ rescheduled. Appointments also book up very quickly. Personally I think more reliable donor sessions and more appointments slots would help things a lot
I tried to donate blood. Made appointment for first free slot – three months waiting(September). Appointment was canceled about two weeks before the date. I made another appointment – first free slot was in January, it was canceled again. Tried again few months later – it was cancelled again. I gave up now.
I used to donate regularly in Poland – it was walk-in service. It was always fun, I miss it.
I used to do it monthly, they would come to the local community centre, set up and be busy all day with 10+ beds.
Now you have to drive into the city, pay to park (if you can find a space) and it now takes up far too much of a day instead of an hour inc the cuppa afterwards when it was locally setup.
I as a working person just can’t make it work anymore.
Comments are closed.