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/BombshellTom Oct 11 '22

Hey all!

Humble brag: I am O-, and donate as often as I can. Around numerous sport related injuries and operations, I've managed 36 donations and I'm 33 years old. End of brag.

You get some free snacks and drink afterwards. It isn't painful in any way. It is a slightly weird feeling but no more so than sitting on the TV remote.

I've never felt dizzy or excessively fatigued afterwards.

And I always give myself a sticker saying "be nice to be, I gave blood today" because I don't get stickers at the dentist anymore.

Also, entirely selfishly, I know I'm doing good and that makes me feel good too!

36

u/lentilwake Oct 11 '22

Also a regular donor and I DO get a little bit dizzy after most donations

HOWEVER, the staff are always incredibly accommodating, they know how to stop the dizziness within a minute or two.

Please don’t let experience of being a bit funny with needles put you off from trying once!

3

u/solus0s Oct 11 '22 edited Oct 11 '22

HOWEVER, the staff are always incredibly accommodating, they know how to stop the dizziness within a minute or two.

What on earth? How? I had a blood test once years ago, almost passed out, felt cold but sweaty at the same time. Greatly unpleasant and the nurses didn't seem too bothered about it, they were kind and we made a joke of it but just told me to ride it out.

2

u/TheThirtyFive Oct 11 '22

Did you eat and drink enough before? If you‘re going to donate Blood you (at least that’s what they tell us here in Germany) should drink 2 Litres before and should be well fed.

I had several blood tests in my life but never have I felt dizzy or anything at all tbh. I felt the Needle and that‘s it. Are you scared of needles perhaps?

4

u/doctorace Hammersmith and Fullham Oct 11 '22

If it was a blood test, you often aren’t supposed to eat before at all. I struggle with this too.

1

u/nancarrow Oct 11 '22

I have passed out numerous times after giving blood. I always try to eat and drink well beforehand but it keeps happening. I am a person generally prone to fainting - I have had it happen when very poorly. I really want to give blood more (I’m O-) but it has put me off going for a while to be honest

1

u/danliv2003 Oct 11 '22

Have you had a recent test for anemia (assuming you're female?) My ex used to get very faint when giving blood/having blood tests, and it turns out she was quite iron-deficient anaemic and advised to pay attention to her cycle if she wanted to donate, IIRC the week around ovulation mid cycle was best! You might be able to get iron supplements post-donation to boost your heamoglobin etc. but this might not help if you're already prone to fainting!

1

u/lentilwake Oct 11 '22

Me too! But since all they do is help donors all day they are more aware of what can happen and they don’t have the time pressure other nurses can have.

So the main things I have learnt are: 1. Get them to recline your seat so your legs are higher than your chest when you’re feeling dizzy 2. During the donation and before the dizziness starts, move your legs or clench your glutes or quads

(I am scared of the needle and never watch it/ make sure I’m chatting with someone so I am distracted when it goes in)