Do Something Amazing. Give Blood.

National Blood Service

Hey, just a quick message to actually try and get people to donate blood.

The NBS are an integral part of the NHS, and they guarantee to deliver blood, blood components, blood products and tissues from our 15 blood centres to anywhere in England and North Wales.

Naturally, they also ensure that the blood we supply is properly screened and is safe for patients. Every year they collect, test, process, store and issue 2.1 million blood donations. They depend entirely on voluntary donations from the general public, and try to encourage our existing donors to give three times a year. (It's amazing what the promise of a free cup of tea and some biscuits will do...)

But they also have a number of other functions. Such as continually carrying out new research into improving the safety of blood. And new ways it can be used to help save more lives.

The NBS also provide specialist medical advice and clinical support to hospitals, as well as educating and training transfusion medicine specialists. It's a huge undertaking. But they're dedicated to keeping Britain's blood supply moving.

The NBS rely on volunteers from the general public to donate their blood in order to help save the life of someone else. Donors have helped save the lives of millions of people, including these. Yet only around 25% of the people who are eligible to give blood do so, and the NBS is constantly trying to get that number higher.

The National Blood Service was set up in 1946 to collect and provide blood supplies for all the hospitals in England and North Wales. 8,000 units of blood are needed every day to meet this demand, which keeps rising. Blood comes in four main types - O, A, B and AB. Group O is the most common which means it's in demand the most. But blood can also be subdivided into its main components - red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. Unfortunately red cells only last 35 days and platelets are only good for five days.

Can I donate?
If you check out the NBS wesbite here, that will tell you whether you are able to give blood or not. The NBS has strict regulations as to who can and can't give blood, so theres no point in a wasted journey.

How do I register?
You can either visit your local donor session, or if you prefer, you can register your interest by filling in the details on this page.

Where can I donate?
Short answer is you can donate anywhere in England or Wales, so long as it hasn't been less than 14 weeks since your last donation. Alternatively, you can search for your nearest sessions using the National Blood Service wesbite here.

If you have any further questions, such as what happens in a donor session, or any other questions, then please send me a Private Message, or post them in this thread and I'll respond as quickly as I can.

Certain information in this post has been taken from the National Blood Service website which can be found at www.blood.co.uk

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

upagumtree

I gave blood for the first time in January. Even though I passed out while eating my free biscuit I'll definately be doing it again this month :biggrin:

Its a good feeling knowing that you've saved three people.

Reply 2

LPK

But the needle... :afraid:

Reply 3

Daragh

upagumtree

I gave blood for the first time in January. Even though I passed out while eating my free biscuit I'll definately be doing it again this month :biggrin:

Its a good feeling knowing that you've saved three people.

Exactly, one donation has the potential to save three peoples lives.

LPK - As for the needle, it's only a quick pricking sensation, and then you don't feel it after that point. It's relatively painless, and if needed they can use an anaesthetic on you.

Reply 4

Unregistered

Fear not... they've developped fake blood now.

Reply 5

Have had blood transfusions, so can't. :smile:

Reply 6

Daragh

3232

Have had blood transfusions, so can't. :smile:

Well, whilst it's a shame that you can't give blood, it just goes to show that absolutely anyone can require a blood transfusion. So people should give blood if they can.

Reply 7

kitty_koo

i would like to donate blood but i dont weigh the minimum of 7st 12

Reply 8

loopymeg

Am on a waiting list for possible surgery, so can't :frown:

Reply 9

hattycat

I would if i could (on toxic meds)! Small scratch that can save so much! :frown:

upset i can't, did go to see though, me and friends went in a group because some people wanted to do it but were scared.

Reply 10

mortimer89

i gave blood for the third time on friday and i absolutly hate needles, but i just kept thinking that the pain i would be going through for a few seconds (doesnt hurt once the needle is actually in!) is alot less than what the person recieveing my blood has been going through - and after my first giving blood session i've never looked back. Also the staff are really nice and supportive

Reply 11

scribble_girl

I give & have been for nearly a year now. Fourth donation coming up in a few weeks.

I like it, it makes me feel like I've done a week of good deeds in one go, thus I don't feel quite so evil when I'm nasty to children afterwards :]]

Reply 12

deej

Well, whilst it's a shame that you can't give blood, it just goes to show that absolutely anyone can require a blood transfusion. So people should give blood if they can.

Oh absolutely. I would have bled to death after a motorbike accident if it weren't for those 30-40 people who had given blood, and believe me, its really appreciated!

Reply 13

TheLameMonkey

I tried once, and I would definitely give blood if I could.

However I have no viable veins for them to stick holes in :frown:

, they all go around the wrong area.

Reply 14

Unregistered

Dero

I tried once, and I would definitely give blood if I could.

However I have no viable veins for them to stick holes in :frown:

, they all go around the wrong area.

are you fat? that might be why...

Reply 15

TheLameMonkey

Nope, I'm not even mildly chubby, I just don't have any even bordering on exposed veins.

Reply 16

yellow96

I wasn't able to give blood until March 21st this year because of my fondness for piercings, and then when the day came I had extra classes to go to and would have had to drive home 20 minutes after doing it, so I decided against it. Will definitely be doing it as soon as I can though.

Reply 17

Revd. Mike

I really want to give, but I'm not allowed :frown:

Reply 18

Daragh

Revd. Mike

I really want to give, but I'm not allowed :frown:

May I ask why not?

Reply 19

hattycat

Dero

Nope, I'm not even mildly chubby, I just don't have any even bordering on exposed veins.

I don't have any exposed veins, and when doctors/nurses find one it collapses on them, therefore they usually end up trying up to about 6 times :frown:

most can usually get it in the end, depends on whether you can stand them to keep trying

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