Blood Donors

I gave blood for many years, but when they tightened the rules when AIDS came in, in the 1980s, I was told I could no longer give blood because I was allergic to penicillin

DD and DH have at various times been discarded as blood donors because their veins are deeply set in their arms and are very difficult to find. DH has been ill in hospital recently and he reckons that each, almost daily, blood test took at least 5 attempts before they could get a needle in a vein. DGS, still a child, is the same, even though he is so thin, if he stands sideways yu cannot see him. It is clearly genetic.

Growstuff, I am the same blood type, didn't realise it's not needed. Any reason for this? Just curious as I haven't read this anywhere, thanks

omg..I booked an appointment. .haven't donated for quite a few years ..terrified.

Would have done it, but as I had malaria and yellow jaundice when I was a child they wouldn't have me, too old now!

CafeAuLait

I donate regularly, they have never taken my blood pressure before donating, just the sample of blood from your finger to test for anaemia. My DH has high blood pressure, he donates, they never take his either. As long as his medication doesn’t change, not an issue.

Have you got a link to the "stale blood" research please?

I would love to be able to give blood, especially as I am O negative. But I have had three skin cancers and for that reason was told that I cannot be a donor.

Unfortunately my blood isn’t acceptable due to the medication I have been on for 50+ years.

I would love to donate blood mines AB Rh neg, so in great demand but sadly I can’t due to chronic illness so not allowed, I totally agree with you, people should donate blood if they can

Two of my three babies needed life saying blood transfusions as newborns. The blood they needed was A negative. Both needed three transfusions. Thank you to everyone who gives/has given blood. I have a daughter and a son who are alive and healthy because of the blood transfusion service.

I’m still donating and I know my blood goes to Neonatal units. I was so pleased to be told this. When I think of those tiny babies I cant stop now

I gave blood the day after my 18th birthday. An easy process, too old now !

I just checked out the requirements and one is normal blood pressure. My blood pressure is normal but it won't be when a nurse takes it. White coat anxiety. Will that mean I can't donate even though there's no reason why not?

I really should try and get back into donating. I gave regularly for years, but was ‘knocked back’ when I had to have steroid cream for a skin problem, then told to wait 2 years to get it out of my system. DH died from lymphoma this year so I must start again.

I gave 52 pints over the years and following a heart bypass in 2018 I’ve not been allowed to. I miss doing my bit and would gladly carry on if I could.

Alas my blood as a whole hasn’t been good enough for years. But I still regularly donate platelets, and keep my red cells for myself?

Though they might not let me once they take my blood pressure at the centre. My blood pressure is fine but I have the white coat thing.

I should really think about doing that. Good reminder.

As a female with AB positive blood, I'm afraid mine isn't needed.