Discussion
TimmyMallett said:
The fact they ramped up the branded biscuits and crisps recently is the main draw for me 
I also love now knowing where it ends up.
The crisps have gone down in size!!!11!! They're not the standard 25g, they're some weird 3/4 size of the type that Poundland might sell I also love now knowing where it ends up.I got to 55 donations by 2020, then COVID seemed to throw a spanner in the works. Sessions at our local town hall (12 miles from home) became really difficult when I had to make appointments rather than just drop in when I had a moment to spare and the nearest donor centre (75 miles away) never seemed to have time slots which suited me. After 2 years of not being able to fit in an appointment, I had a few not very pleasant communications from them so I've decided not to bother any more. Sorry if anyone was needing my blood, but although I wasn't expecting thanks, I expect them to make it as easy for me as possible to donate.
Yesterday was the first time that i gave blood, went to the Stratford donation centre.
All in all it was a very calm and easy process and I'll return in about 12 weeks time, but bloody hell that needle is big!
Last time i had needles in me, was back in 2021 when i was in hospital, the hospital needles were thin in comparison.
Thankfully i didn't see the needle before it was used and only clocked how big it was once it was stuck down.
Was feeling shattered by 7pm last night, and went to bed early, putting that down to the blood loss, feel much better today although the arm is a bit sore today.
All in all it was a very calm and easy process and I'll return in about 12 weeks time, but bloody hell that needle is big!
Last time i had needles in me, was back in 2021 when i was in hospital, the hospital needles were thin in comparison.
Thankfully i didn't see the needle before it was used and only clocked how big it was once it was stuck down.
Was feeling shattered by 7pm last night, and went to bed early, putting that down to the blood loss, feel much better today although the arm is a bit sore today.
My donation last night failed again before it even began. They could only find one vein big enough, but they refused to use it as I'd had a blood sample taken the day before and they could see bruising. I'd checked with the nurse who took the sample at my GP the day before and she said not to worry and that her sample would not have any effect on my ability to donate the next evening.
Turns out she was wrong. So still on donation 25. Dammit. Apparently I should leave it a week or two and book onto the next local session. Next ones anywhere near are Maidenhead on the 20th, Sunbury on the 22nd or Slough on the 3rd January. Hmmm, how long do veins need to heal?
Turns out she was wrong. So still on donation 25. Dammit. Apparently I should leave it a week or two and book onto the next local session. Next ones anywhere near are Maidenhead on the 20th, Sunbury on the 22nd or Slough on the 3rd January. Hmmm, how long do veins need to heal?
bunchofkeys said:
Yesterday was the first time that i gave blood, went to the Stratford donation centre.
All in all it was a very calm and easy process and I'll return in about 12 weeks time, but bloody hell that needle is big!
Last time i had needles in me, was back in 2021 when i was in hospital, the hospital needles were thin in comparison.
Thankfully i didn't see the needle before it was used and only clocked how big it was once it was stuck down.
Was feeling shattered by 7pm last night, and went to bed early, putting that down to the blood loss, feel much better today although the arm is a bit sore today.
Congratulations! I think you're right that it's a bit tiring to start, but I hope you find it gets easier.All in all it was a very calm and easy process and I'll return in about 12 weeks time, but bloody hell that needle is big!
Last time i had needles in me, was back in 2021 when i was in hospital, the hospital needles were thin in comparison.
Thankfully i didn't see the needle before it was used and only clocked how big it was once it was stuck down.
Was feeling shattered by 7pm last night, and went to bed early, putting that down to the blood loss, feel much better today although the arm is a bit sore today.
Thank you.
Received the email this morning informing me that I'm O+, so I have the common blood type.
84 days to go before I can give blood again.
Could be coincidental, but feel a bit run down today feels like I have a cold brewing. Although I could actually have a cold coming, as the little one has a snotty nose, magic!
Received the email this morning informing me that I'm O+, so I have the common blood type.
84 days to go before I can give blood again.
Could be coincidental, but feel a bit run down today feels like I have a cold brewing. Although I could actually have a cold coming, as the little one has a snotty nose, magic!
DaveH23 said:
OP here.
39th pint donated this week. Was just pondering when my 50th pint would be and it's 2 months after I turn 40, would have been good to get it in before hand but never mind.
Anybody else hit any big milestones recently?
I've got a long way to go before I've donated as much as you, but I'm donating my 5th pint in a couple of months - the earliest I could book in locally after my last donation! 39th pint donated this week. Was just pondering when my 50th pint would be and it's 2 months after I turn 40, would have been good to get it in before hand but never mind.
Anybody else hit any big milestones recently?
DaveH23 said:
OP here.
39th pint donated this week. Was just pondering when my 50th pint would be and it's 2 months after I turn 40, would have been good to get it in before hand but never mind.
Anybody else hit any big milestones recently?
123. Is that a milestone? It's a nice number anyway. I celebrated with an orange club. 39th pint donated this week. Was just pondering when my 50th pint would be and it's 2 months after I turn 40, would have been good to get it in before hand but never mind.
Anybody else hit any big milestones recently?
madbadger said:
DaveH23 said:
OP here.
39th pint donated this week. Was just pondering when my 50th pint would be and it's 2 months after I turn 40, would have been good to get it in before hand but never mind.
Anybody else hit any big milestones recently?
123. Is that a milestone? It's a nice number anyway. I celebrated with an orange club. 39th pint donated this week. Was just pondering when my 50th pint would be and it's 2 months after I turn 40, would have been good to get it in before hand but never mind.
Anybody else hit any big milestones recently?
1st - Welcome email or letter and digital donor card available in the NHS Give Blood app
5th - Bronze donor card
10th - Badge and certificate
25th - Silver donor card, badge and certificate
50th - Gold donor card, badge and certificate
75th - Emerald donor card, badge and certificate
100th - Ceremony invitation (whole blood donors), ruby donor card, commemorative medal, badge and certificate
150th - Certificate
250th - Ceremony invitation (platelet donors), commemorative medal, badge and certificate
500th - Special framed certificate
750th - Special framed certificate
1000th - Special framed certificate
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