When did you last give blood?

97 watchers

Maclennane Aug 2018 10:28am, 7 Aug 2018 20,047 posts	0 Maclennane I'm getting seriously angry about the constant pleas for blood coupled with lack of availability of donor sessions - the problem, at least round my way, is not lack of willing donors. Any ideas for what to do other than writing to Kit Malthouse, my MP, which I suspect will be dryer, but otherwise no more rewarding, than micturating in the wind?
HappyG(rrr) Aug 2018 10:36am, 7 Aug 2018 29,042 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Very frustrating, isn't it Maclennane? I am lucky because we have a head quarters in Edinburgh, with long opening hours and lots of donor chairs and staff. So not too hard to get booked in. But ridiculous that they don't have a more flexible availability, when there is clearly a need. Because I book myself in every 12 weeks or 3 months (12 weeks and 2 days this time!) I usually get the letter urging me to book after I already have. I was going to tell them that this is wasteful, but I actually quite like it as a positive affirmation of my "life saving" donation! And it's marketing to reach MrsS(rrr) to encourage her (and friends?) to give too. Hope you get booked in some time suitable soon. G
Fragile Do Not Bend Aug 2018 10:55am, 7 Aug 2018 3,241 posts	0 Fragile Do Not Bend I’ve resorted to booking my appointments way in advance, even before I’ve attended the previous one. Either that or waiting until a couple of days before the session to see if a slots opened up due to a cancellation. A quick google threw up an article in the Guardian about this problem in 2015, clearly nothing has changed in 3 years.
HappyG(rrr) Aug 2018 9:01am, 8 Aug 2018 29,048 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Donation number 38, 145 iron, 6 mins (not a PB!) I'm embarrassed by how many drinks and biscuits I consumed - definitely a PB! G
SarahWoo Aug 2018 11:53am, 10 Aug 2018 8,376 posts	0 SarahWoo We seem to be very lucky around here - plenty of sessions in different venues available. I guess your MP is a good start, Maclennane.
Little Nemo Aug 2018 8:56pm, 17 Aug 2018 8,724 posts	0 Little Nemo This afternoon after work. 6:11 so no PB It was a rush getting there and I had to wait a bit longer than normal so I'll go back to Saturdays next time.
Wine Legs Sep 2018 10:18am, 13 Sep 2018 4,509 posts	0 Wine Legs Grrrr. My next appointment is booked for 2nd Oct @ 12:05 in MK. I got a letter yesterday for a hospital appointment for Squeak on 2nd Oct @ 12:00 in Bedford. Trying to reschedule, which is nigh on impossible, based on my working pattern and available appointments, until late November. FFS. I had the same issue when I had to reschedule my March appointment due to snow. Seriously thinking about giving up because rescheduling or making appointments is such a PITA!!
Velociraptor Sep 2018 10:28am, 13 Sep 2018 39,164 posts	0 Velociraptor Struggling to book my next donation; there don't seem to be any sessions locally (quite a wide definition of "locally") in October at the moment. I'm hoping some will be added. I don't mind waiting till November, but I'm being sent lots of reminders that I can donate any time now and it would be disrespectful to assume I can keep up with my daughter on a half marathon when I'm missing a pint of blood. Can donors registered on the system in England donate in Northern Ireland without a lot of fuss and bureaucracy? That's a potential solution.
Mandymoo Sep 2018 10:30am, 13 Sep 2018 7,167 posts	0 Mandymoo Had to cancel my appintment due to habing microblading donr so now have to wait till December
Fragile Do Not Bend Sep 2018 11:13am, 13 Sep 2018 3,359 posts	0 Fragile Do Not Bend Yesterday I checked my nearest, previously fully booked, session which is in 10 days time. A couple of slots had become free so I nipped in and grabbed one. Well worth checking near the date for cancellations.