Giving Blood

[Chester draws]

Currently on 60. On target to hit 100 before age 65.

I'm O- with the suitability for newborns, https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/the-don... and apparently am on a list that will get me an appointment at any venue, any time. Although I've never used that as I typically book my next session just before I donate each time.

Well done to all those who do!

[Voldemort]

I donated from my University days right through until a short course of chemotherapy meant I can never donate again. I had to give up within sight of 200. I used to give plasma every 6 weeks for a double credit (do they still do that?).
Subsequently i've also had to receive blood after my stem cell transplant and I was and am very grateful for the people who gave for me.

If you can, give blood.

[FunkyNige]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

I'm AB- and CMV-

Most people as they progress into adult life become CMV+ due to colds, infections, virus etc but I've stayed CMV- which apperently means my bloody is good for premature babies. A senior blood nurse told me the latter part, not sure how true it is but my last donation went to the maternity unit at Airdale General Hospital.

How do you find out the CMV bit? My donor record just says I'm A+.
I keep costing them money as my iron is always a bit low and they need to check it in the expensive machine rather than just in the blood drop tubes

[Chester draws]

FunkyNige said:

How do you find out the CMV bit? My donor record just says I'm A+.
I keep costing them money as my iron is always a bit low and they need to check it in the expensive machine rather than just in the blood drop tubes

Have a chat with one of the carers when they're cleaning your arm or at the tea table.

Have a look on the sheet you have to sign, think mine says "neo" and also "rr" which is another antigen.

[DaveH23]

I normally give in 4-5 mins.

A few donations ago I was quite slow and asked the chap why and his response was I hadn't drank enough during the day.

Try making sure you are well hydrated and it should speed things up.

[filthypig]

Got to 165 donations doing doubles on platelet donations. Chair time is about 55mins all in I think for the double donation.

[sgtBerbatov]

Do they screen you for Covid19 when you give blood? And if you have it, or have had it, do they tell you?

I haven't given any at the moment because of it, not through being scared of getting it but I don't want to give it to anyone if I do have it.

[Planet Claire]

sgtBerbatov said:

Do they screen you for Covid19 when you give blood? And if you have it, or have had it, do they tell you?

I haven't given any at the moment because of it, not through being scared of getting it but I don't want to give it to anyone if I do have it.

No they don't. Although they are wanting people who've had Covid for plasma donations for clinical trials.
https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/how-you-can-help/convales...

[Murph7355]

A miserly 7 for me. Giving again tomorrow.

Have wanted to do much more, but spent chunks of time abroad in places they don't want you giving blood after for a while.

More recently the local session get cancelled, then you can't get an appointment for months.

(Club biscuits are the draw for me ).

[solo2]

I was a regular donor until I had a C Section that went very wrong and ended up having around 15 units of blood and blood products transfused.

I'm now not allowed to donate as screening wasn't as good as it should've been back then and there's the possibility I might've caught something although all these years later (this was March 2000) I'm sure I would know about it by now!

[LunarOne]

That's very strange - is there no way your blood can be screened in the same way that it is for regular donors to check that there are no harmful diseases floating about in it?

[NNH]

LunarOne said:

That's very strange - is there no way your blood can be screened in the same way that it is for regular donors to check that there are no harmful diseases floating about in it?

My understanding is that there's no way to screen for CJD, short of an actual brain biopsy. That's why the Americans won't take my British blood, too.

[Bill]

I was turned away the other day because my haemoglobin was too low. Got a proper blood test at the GP next week as their machine can read low, but I might have an issue.

[272BHP]

Regular donations can really lower iron levels in the blood so that's a good thing to keep an eye on.

[Evanivitch]

Bill said:

I was turned away the other day because my haemoglobin was too low. Got a proper blood test at the GP next week as their machine can read low, but I might have an issue.

I wouldn't worry too much, I've failed that when it was a particularly hot, sweaty day and had no air conditioning.

I'm up to 24, big 2-5 end of month.

[Glosphil]

Riley Blue said:

I started in 1969 but didn't reach 100, topped out around 85 - 90 I think. Mine's A RH Negative so a bit uncommon.

I'm also A RH Negative. Have given 30+ pints but 'banned' since a TIA in 2010.

[Bill]

272BHP said:

Regular donations can really lower iron levels in the blood so that's a good thing to keep an eye on.

I'm not that regular.

[Bill]

Evanivitch said:

I wouldn't worry too much, I've failed that when it was a particularly hot, sweaty day and had no air conditioning.

Cheers.

[mikeswagon]

I'm on somewhere about 65, and my daughter has started donating too, 2 so far.

Out last local session was during lockdown, so no coffee and chocolate biscuit, IIRC a cold drink and a biscuit to takeaway. Whole thing felt a bit rushed to get us out the door, and she fainted just after we got home, a 2 minute drive. Other downside was the staff wearing masks, well for a few that was a bonus but I did miss seeing the regulars.

[Promised Land]

DaveH23 said:

I normally give in 4-5 mins.

A few donations ago I was quite slow and asked the chap why and his response was I hadn't drank enough during the day.

Try making sure you are well hydrated and it should speed things up.

I’m a 4-5 minute person too, a couple of sessions back a nurse kept coming over, machine made a strange noise, they fiddled with the tube as blood wasn’t going quick enough, was talking about taking needle out or twisting it then they realised it had a kink in it under the plaster.

You can certainly tell how good a nurse is by the needle insertions, some you hardly feel it, others it’s like they’ve stabbed you with a blunt knife.

Donation number 21 next month.