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Just booked first blood donation of 2025
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"First of many.
If you don't donate, please consider, especially if you're O negative. An hour or two of your time could save lives.
❤️"
I'm O neg but they won't let me donate due to my heart murmur. |
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"I regularly give platelets being O neg and have for years. We’re universal donors.
Can I ask why people give platelets or plasma, if you know, and not whole blood?
"
Platelets can be collected directly from a person without the need to take whole blood. Whole blood donations are separated into red cells, platelets and plasma amongst other things. So people can donate platelets separately and it won't affect your iron levels or be dependant on that and you can give more often.
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By *ad Nanna OP Woman 8 weeks ago
East London |
"I regularly give platelets being O neg and have for years. We’re universal donors.
Can I ask why people give platelets or plasma, if you know, and not whole blood?
Platelets can be collected directly from a person without the need to take whole blood. Whole blood donations are separated into red cells, platelets and plasma amongst other things. So people can donate platelets separately and it won't affect your iron levels or be dependant on that and you can give more often.
"
I was wondering who they asked and why. There's a bit of information only, but it's not mentioning people with O neg blood.
I was just curious as I've seen people donating platelets and plasma while I was donating. |
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By *ad Nanna OP Woman 8 weeks ago
East London |
"I have some time off coming up so will need to head to the donation centre.
O positive but I can't find the wee card they gave me."
Do you need the card?
I carry mine in case of an accident. Although, I'd get O neg blood as a matter of course anyway. |
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By *zeroMan 8 weeks ago
Glasgow |
"I have some time off coming up so will need to head to the donation centre.
O positive but I can't find the wee card they gave me.
Do you need the card?
I carry mine in case of an accident. Although, I'd get O neg blood as a matter of course anyway. "
You probably don't, I think it jusy saves time on paperwork.
That was my reason for carrying it too. |
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By *ad Nanna OP Woman 8 weeks ago
East London |
"I have some time off coming up so will need to head to the donation centre.
O positive but I can't find the wee card they gave me.
Do you need the card?
I carry mine in case of an accident. Although, I'd get O neg blood as a matter of course anyway.
You probably don't, I think it jusy saves time on paperwork.
That was my reason for carrying it too."
They've never asked to see mine and we have to fill in the questionnaire anyway. |
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"I have some time off coming up so will need to head to the donation centre.
O positive but I can't find the wee card they gave me.
Do you need the card?
I carry mine in case of an accident. Although, I'd get O neg blood as a matter of course anyway.
You probably don't, I think it jusy saves time on paperwork.
That was my reason for carrying it too."
No hospital will rely on that. Your blood will always be retested before you get anything other than group O blood. |
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By *lynJMan 8 weeks ago
Morden |
"I regularly give platelets being O neg and have for years. We’re universal donors.
Can I ask why people give platelets or plasma, if you know, and not whole blood?
Platelets can be collected directly from a person without the need to take whole blood. Whole blood donations are separated into red cells, platelets and plasma amongst other things. So people can donate platelets separately and it won't affect your iron levels or be dependant on that and you can give more often.
I was wondering who they asked and why. There's a bit of information only, but it's not mentioning people with O neg blood.
I was just curious as I've seen people donating platelets and plasma while I was donating. "
I used to give platelets but can't anymore because of the recent operation I had.
I started of giving whole blood.At my fourth donation, the donor carer asked if I'd be interested in giving platelets. Having said yes, 8 was invited to St George's for a further blood test to make sure my platelet count was high enough. It was so I started donating platelets about once a month.
They take 2 or 3 "doses" per visit. Whole blood comes out of your arm, through a machine that separates the platelets (or plasma, or both) and pushes the rest of the blood back into your arm.
Most platelet donors are male, not sure why but I think there is a medical/physical reason. Platelets only survive for about 5 days which is part of the reason you can donate them more often.
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"I regularly give platelets being O neg and have for years. We’re universal donors.
Can I ask why people give platelets or plasma, if you know, and not whole blood?
Platelets can be collected directly from a person without the need to take whole blood. Whole blood donations are separated into red cells, platelets and plasma amongst other things. So people can donate platelets separately and it won't affect your iron levels or be dependant on that and you can give more often.
I was wondering who they asked and why. There's a bit of information only, but it's not mentioning people with O neg blood.
I was just curious as I've seen people donating platelets and plasma while I was donating.
I used to give platelets but can't anymore because of the recent operation I had.
I started of giving whole blood.At my fourth donation, the donor carer asked if I'd be interested in giving platelets. Having said yes, 8 was invited to St George's for a further blood test to make sure my platelet count was high enough. It was so I started donating platelets about once a month.
They take 2 or 3 "doses" per visit. Whole blood comes out of your arm, through a machine that separates the platelets (or plasma, or both) and pushes the rest of the blood back into your arm.
Most platelet donors are male, not sure why but I think there is a medical/physical reason. Platelets only survive for about 5 days which is part of the reason you can donate them more often.
"
I think most platelet donors are male because you need big-ass veins to have the serum reinfused back into your arm. I was rejected for donating convalescent plasma during the COVID pandemic for this reason - my veins are too wéédy. They don't want me whole blood at all either. |
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By *ad Nanna OP Woman 8 weeks ago
East London |
"I regularly give platelets being O neg and have for years. We’re universal donors.
Can I ask why people give platelets or plasma, if you know, and not whole blood?
Platelets can be collected directly from a person without the need to take whole blood. Whole blood donations are separated into red cells, platelets and plasma amongst other things. So people can donate platelets separately and it won't affect your iron levels or be dependant on that and you can give more often.
I was wondering who they asked and why. There's a bit of information only, but it's not mentioning people with O neg blood.
I was just curious as I've seen people donating platelets and plasma while I was donating.
I used to give platelets but can't anymore because of the recent operation I had.
I started of giving whole blood.At my fourth donation, the donor carer asked if I'd be interested in giving platelets. Having said yes, 8 was invited to St George's for a further blood test to make sure my platelet count was high enough. It was so I started donating platelets about once a month.
They take 2 or 3 "doses" per visit. Whole blood comes out of your arm, through a machine that separates the platelets (or plasma, or both) and pushes the rest of the blood back into your arm.
Most platelet donors are male, not sure why but I think there is a medical/physical reason. Platelets only survive for about 5 days which is part of the reason you can donate them more often.
I think most platelet donors are male because you need big-ass veins to have the serum reinfused back into your arm. I was rejected for donating convalescent plasma during the COVID pandemic for this reason - my veins are too wéédy. They don't want me whole blood at all either. "
That's interesting. Now you've said it I can only remember seeing men on the platelet donation chairs.
My veins probably wouldn't be suitable either.
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My wife had been giving blood since the age of 16, and notched up her 25-year badge, but not long after that, the only blood-doning service was close up and moved from the Isle of Wight onto the mainland.
It was said that it was moved due to lack of donors on the island, but that's a load of crap - many regular donors over here have complained, only to be cheerfully be told that they can still give blood in Portsmouth. At the cost of well over £20 and giving up the majority of their day for the privilege, of course.
They just don't want to admit that it was nixed due to cost-cutting measures. |
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"I regularly give platelets being O neg and have for years. We’re universal donors.
Can I ask why people give platelets or plasma, if you know, and not whole blood?
Platelets can be collected directly from a person without the need to take whole blood. Whole blood donations are separated into red cells, platelets and plasma amongst other things. So people can donate platelets separately and it won't affect your iron levels or be dependant on that and you can give more often.
I was wondering who they asked and why. There's a bit of information only, but it's not mentioning people with O neg blood.
I was just curious as I've seen people donating platelets and plasma while I was donating.
I used to give platelets but can't anymore because of the recent operation I had.
I started of giving whole blood.At my fourth donation, the donor carer asked if I'd be interested in giving platelets. Having said yes, 8 was invited to St George's for a further blood test to make sure my platelet count was high enough. It was so I started donating platelets about once a month.
They take 2 or 3 "doses" per visit. Whole blood comes out of your arm, through a machine that separates the platelets (or plasma, or both) and pushes the rest of the blood back into your arm.
Most platelet donors are male, not sure why but I think there is a medical/physical reason. Platelets only survive for about 5 days which is part of the reason you can donate them more often.
I think most platelet donors are male because you need big-ass veins to have the serum reinfused back into your arm. I was rejected for donating convalescent plasma during the COVID pandemic for this reason - my veins are too wéédy. They don't want me whole blood at all either.
That's interesting. Now you've said it I can only remember seeing men on the platelet donation chairs.
My veins probably wouldn't be suitable either.
"
They struggle to get one vial of blood out of me for a test so not a chance of reinfusing anything back in 
Frankly, even if they would allow me to donate, my pathetic veins might still preclude me unfortunately. I don't part with it easily. |
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I can't give blood but I don't think I could anyway. They have to use a pediatric needle to get blood out of me and often that doesn't work and they have to take blood out my foot. Last time I was in hospital I had to have a canular in my foot. Not very pleasant |
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By *lynJMan 7 weeks ago
Morden |
"My wife had been giving blood since the age of 16, and notched up her 25-year badge, but not long after that, the only blood-doning service was close up and moved from the Isle of Wight onto the mainland.
It was said that it was moved due to lack of donors on the island, but that's a load of crap - many regular donors over here have complained, only to be cheerfully be told that they can still give blood in Portsmouth. At the cost of well over £20 and giving up the majority of their day for the privilege, of course.
They just don't want to admit that it was nixed due to cost-cutting measures."
They do have mobile doning teams. Perhaps get in touch with them and see if they will come to the island. They just need a biggish hall/community centre where they can set up. |
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"They do have mobile doning teams. Perhaps get in touch with them and see if they will come to the island. They just need a biggish hall/community centre where they can set up. "
The Missus is one of a number of doners asking about that, but whatever's said, they always come back with: "There just isn't the demand..." and are directed to travel across the bloody water to do so.
In America, you get paid for donating blood, but having to pay the best part of £30 for the privilege is insulting. They're (ironically) cutting their own throats, as I'm type "O", and there's always a huge demand for it. |
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"Not able to donate anymore due to travel but do have a tie pin for my 25th donation "
Just got my 25th pin on my last donation which was nice
I try to go every 3 months or whatever the limit is, any excuse for free tea and biscuits lol |
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"First of many.
If you don't donate, please consider, especially if you're O negative. An hour or two of your time could save lives.
❤️"
Im not allowed to donate. I went to donate they did the medical thing and said sorry your veins are to small for us to withdraw the blood from. |
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"Im not allowed to donate. I went to donate they did the medical thing and said sorry your veins are to small for us to withdraw the blood from."
My husband has the same problem, that of veins which aren't easy to get into.
However, the last time he went for some blood-tests, somebody in the waiting room made him REALLY angry, and for the first time ever, there was no problem getting blood from him!  |
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By (user no longer on site) 7 weeks ago
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Great post I for many years gave blood ( fancied one staff ) well over hundred ,
Sadly got Pneumonia , other problems with lungs .
Had to stop ,do not think about just do it
Oh you nice cup tea and a biscuits
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By *lynJMan 6 weeks ago
Morden |
"Well, I went to my blood donation today but my iron wasn't high enough for them to take my blood.
Very disappointed as I've been eating liver, steak, green veg and fruit."
I used to hate being turned away - such a let down.
When can you go again? |
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"First of many.
If you don't donate, please consider, especially if you're O negative. An hour or two of your time could save lives.
❤️"
I did many times, then they stopped coming to the local church hall & I had to go find another. I booked a slot, drove to this other town & when I turned up I had to wait ages as they were letting in front people who'd walked in off the street. Not bothered again, I laugh when I hear the ad on the radio saying it's an hour of your time. I'm sorry if I sound bad but if it was still local I'd still be going regularly. |
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By *ad Nanna OP Woman 6 weeks ago
East London |
"Well, I went to my blood donation today but my iron wasn't high enough for them to take my blood.
Very disappointed as I've been eating liver, steak, green veg and fruit.
I used to hate being turned away - such a let down.
When can you go again?"
April. I even took some prescription ferrous sulphate as I knew I was a bit low.
I was fine back in September when I donated, so I'm not sure why I'm low now. |
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By *ad Nanna OP Woman 6 weeks ago
East London |
"First of many.
If you don't donate, please consider, especially if you're O negative. An hour or two of your time could save lives.
❤️
I did many times, then they stopped coming to the local church hall & I had to go find another. I booked a slot, drove to this other town & when I turned up I had to wait ages as they were letting in front people who'd walked in off the street. Not bothered again, I laugh when I hear the ad on the radio saying it's an hour of your time. I'm sorry if I sound bad but if it was still local I'd still be going regularly. "
That's strange, unless they had donated before and were O negative.
We were in and out today, and it usually takes less than an hour from filling in the form to walking out.
Longest it took to get my blood was 20 minutes but I'm usually done in less than 10. |
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It used to be ok timewise tbh & donating certainly made me feel good about doing something. The sessions were always really busy but ok, then suddenly they stopped but that last time has put me right off. It was a good hour past my booked timeslot before I was seen. |
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I used too give up my precious AB+ medically exempt now 
