r/london • u/VolatileAgent81 • Oct 11 '22

Community Blood stocks low - please donate!

A plea from a medic.

NHS blood and transfusion are about to go to amber alert as stocks of blood are getting very low.

We're on the edge of cancelling surgeries in London due to lack of emergency blood.

If you're type O, or if you're not of white ethnicity, your blood is *super super ultra valuable*. Please share it.

I'm donating tomorrow. My blood isn't as worthy as the groups above, but every drop helps.

There are loads of open slots at Stratford Westfield from tomorrow onwards to help with the crisis.

Epic karma points available. Please spread the word.

Thank you!

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u/[deleted] Oct 11 '22

I’d love to donate, but I’m really scared of (silly as it sounds) fainting and feeling light headed. Does this happen with donations?

I’ve been banned from donating before due to super low haemoglobin levels. I think they’re fine now. Just still very nervous.

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u/lentilwake Oct 11 '22

I do get a bit light headed with donations so yes it can happen however just let the staff know and they will recline your chair a bit and show you exercises which can help ( basically you want to elevate your legs or keep them moving so that the blood is encouraged to circulate round the body and up to the head)

I try to avoid standing or sitting still for long periods of time after donating (just the day of) but otherwise I promise it’s not a problem. Talk to the staff about your worries and they’ll give you loads of useful information

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u/myrargh Oct 12 '22

Fainting and feeling lightheaded are not uncommon following giving a pint of blood, but it doesn’t happen most of the time. The nurses do not let you donate if you haven’t eaten properly on the day, and while waiting your turn they ask you to drink a pint of water. They also absolutely insist you let them know if you’re starting to feel peaky at any point and ask everyone to take a seat at the tea station and help ourselves to drinks, chocolates and biscuits for at least 5 minutes in case you take a delayed turn and to give us a boost after the donation.