Discussion
Was due to give my 15th (yes just a mere beginner) last week, but was texted by the donation service to cancel my appointment the day before due to COVID working practices..
Next availability anywhere near me is December... oh Well....
I really enjoy the whole process (well bar the needle) - and it makes a valuable and useful change to my home based working day,
Next availability anywhere near me is December... oh Well....
I really enjoy the whole process (well bar the needle) - and it makes a valuable and useful change to my home based working day,
I'm a regular donor, but only started a few years ago. I'm on 18 donations now, and my next donation is next Tuesday. They have asked me if I'd like to donate platelets, but there's no platelet donation centre located very near me so I've declined for now. I'd happily do it otherwise though.
I signed up as a donor a few months ago but every time I've searched for an appointment the nearby donation centres have all been fully booked. Having just checked again, there are now some appointments available in October!
Do the regular donors here usually have to book well in advance, or is this likely due to reduced appointments currently?
Do the regular donors here usually have to book well in advance, or is this likely due to reduced appointments currently?
Good thread ... I gave my first donation a couple of weeks ago. 
I'd tried a few times before but always been turned down (recent travel abroad, had a stinking cold etc) but my wife is a regular giver so she talked me into trying again and it was successful.
Bravo to everyone who does it. 100 times, eh? That's going some!
I'd tried a few times before but always been turned down (recent travel abroad, had a stinking cold etc) but my wife is a regular giver so she talked me into trying again and it was successful. Bravo to everyone who does it. 100 times, eh? That's going some!
I do.
Actually had a phone call yesterday saying they were low on my blood type and asked me to donate - so I booked in for next week which is week 12 since I last donated. I've not had a phone call before, so I guess stocks are running low - so if you're thinking about doing it, now would be a great time
Actually had a phone call yesterday saying they were low on my blood type and asked me to donate - so I booked in for next week which is week 12 since I last donated. I've not had a phone call before, so I guess stocks are running low - so if you're thinking about doing it, now would be a great time
L4CON said:
I signed up as a donor a few months ago but every time I've searched for an appointment the nearby donation centres have all been fully booked. Having just checked again, there are now some appointments available in October!
Do the regular donors here usually have to book well in advance, or is this likely due to reduced appointments currently?
That's pretty typical. I either book the next session after a donation or fairly soon after. My most local donation centres are often booked, so I search a bit further afield. Their website makes this not as easy as it could be!Do the regular donors here usually have to book well in advance, or is this likely due to reduced appointments currently?
Was approaching 30 donations when medication meant I had to stop.
Then that medication was allowed and gave a few more pints only to be prescribed further medicines which mean my blood is dangerous to pregnant women so I can no longer donate.
Thanks to all that do. If you can, but don't, ask yourself why, it only takes half an hour or so.
It does save lives and not just in A&E, without donated blood most major surgery would not be possible.
Then that medication was allowed and gave a few more pints only to be prescribed further medicines which mean my blood is dangerous to pregnant women so I can no longer donate.
Thanks to all that do. If you can, but don't, ask yourself why, it only takes half an hour or so.
It does save lives and not just in A&E, without donated blood most major surgery would not be possible.
CardinalBlue said:
I do.
Actually had a phone call yesterday saying they were low on my blood type and asked me to donate - so I booked in for next week which is week 12 since I last donated. I've not had a phone call before, so I guess stocks are running low - so if you're thinking about doing it, now would be a great time
12 weeks (3 Months) for Men is the minimum for period of time between donations. Actually had a phone call yesterday saying they were low on my blood type and asked me to donate - so I booked in for next week which is week 12 since I last donated. I've not had a phone call before, so I guess stocks are running low - so if you're thinking about doing it, now would be a great time
If you have a regular place you go they tend to go every 16 weeks (4 Months) as that's the minimum for women.
I'm fortunate to have a very large number of locations I can choose from as well as the actual Donor Centre very nearby, I change locations each time to enable me to donate as soon as I can.
Planet Claire said:
I'm on about 32 and my OH (who's on here too) is just over 50, but his mum is on 100+.
Hello dear! 
Yep, I started when I was 18, kept it up fairly regularly through college/Uni/work, but a few years ago they changed it so men can do 4 times a year so im trying to maximise it now! Got my 52nd donation due in a couple of weeks (and as im in my early 40s, should be on track for my 100 before im drawing my pension!).
My mums is in her early 70s, but is up to at least 110 now - maybe even ~115 - and has no plans to stop, despite not being optimum health herself. Its a very personal thing for her, having needed blood after a horrific accident when she was younger, so that's been my motivation too.
Shes been to 50, 75 and 100 ceremonies, and I went to 2 of them with her (it looks like they have done away with 50s now, so god knows when i'll go to one that ive earnt myself). They are pretty good - a meal, and usually someone slightly famous giving a talk about their experiences (I remember that Major that did the London Marathon in a diving bell suit being at mums), at a decent venue in London. But they really do make you feel like you are some kind of superhero.
Well done to anyone that's giving
DaveH23 said:
12 weeks (3 Months) for Men is the minimum for period of time between donations.
If you have a regular place you go they tend to go every 16 weeks (4 Months) as that's the minimum for women.
I'm fortunate to have a very large number of locations I can choose from as well as the actual Donor Centre very nearby, I change locations each time to enable me to donate as soon as I can.
That's why I mentioned it. I was trying to get across that they must be short as they rung me a week early before I could go to get me booked in. Just not very articulately. If you have a regular place you go they tend to go every 16 weeks (4 Months) as that's the minimum for women.
I'm fortunate to have a very large number of locations I can choose from as well as the actual Donor Centre very nearby, I change locations each time to enable me to donate as soon as I can.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff