Giving blood (LFGSS blood drive?!)

I've been wondering if donating platelets doesn't get in the way too much, it would be awesome to do. Anyone on here have experience?

1. not everyone can do it. you need strong circulation as the machine not only draws blood out of you, it pumps it back in through the same needle once platelets removed.
   
2. it takes longer (used to be 2.5 hours when i last did it about 5 years ago, but i think the machines have been improved since then). to compensate there's a TV and better selection of reading material, but you get used to it and remember to bring a book.
   
3. it's also more of a commitment, frequency wise. I think it's once a month or so
   
4. you can't do it everywhere as the machines are quite hefty - i think the only place in London is St George's in Tooting, but could be wrong.
   
   

but overall, if you can deal with the above, you really really should. it's saving lives in exchange for a bit of reading time. no brainer!

Thanks for the info, I've 'registered interest' and will give a sample for them to decide. Apparently it's now 90 mins and they've got a new place in Edgware.

Re booking, the app is quite useful

Ooh, just got a text to say my donation from a couple of weeks ago has been delivered to a specific named hospital.

Not sure if this is a new thing (or even if it's true) but I guess it's one of those 'nudge' type things that is designed to boost positive feelings about it and get more people to come back.

I got one recently too. I've been getting texts to remind me of appointments, so I guess it's a new addition. Quite interesting to see how long it waits in purgatory.

Booked -next Tuesday - will eat and drink (Guinness ;) plenty of iron in the coming days.

Sitting in a church hall. Forgot a book. Bored.

Not much iron in Guiness sadly, stick to red meats for a hit.

My grandmother swore by the iron content, let's just say that I'd like the myth not to be dispelled, so will continue with the couple of pre and a couple of post 'recovery' pints :)

I've been timing my donations of late, got a pb of 4.38 at the mo.

My previous donation took forever.

The phlebotamist said that I shouldn't be nervous, and then proceeded to stroke my arm. Given that I really don't like being touched by strangers, I just tensed up, and everything took even longer.

What they could have said was for me to relax my shoulder...

This time round: 3:45

Aiming for sub 3:30 next

I'm booked in for platelets next which i'm looking forward to even less than I dislike my normal donations. 90 mins on the job - ugh. Good to know my blood is special tho.

I got timed out once, if you don't fill the bag within 10 minutes or so they bin the lot which left me feeling pretty shit. I give it a good fist clench now even when the nurse tells me off in case the needle pops out. Glad this thread is here cause it reminds me to book appointments.

I'm on blood thinners - Apixoban. Anyone know if that means I can't donate? It's shortlived (half-life of 6-14 hours) so if nothing else I could stop to donate right?

Probably best to call the blood donation people and ask directly.

On warfarin I couldn't donate. Call them.

So when I last gave I had arranged for them to take a sample to test for platelet donation. Got a letter back today saying that I'm good to go! Anyone on here done platelet donations before?

Just got a text telling me my last donation is being used at Southport Hospital. Poor soandso is going to wake up pissed ;)

I received the same letter and went into the centre for assessment. Unfortunately my veins are too narrow for them to locate a needle that could achieve the required rate of extraction and return of blood. This has been a problem for me generally with blood donations since I "bleed" really slowly such that I often barely reach the minimum required volume within the (15 minute?) time limit. On the other hand, I suppose bleeding slowly is a win overall.

Hope you have better luck with the platelet donations. I was quite bummed out not to be able to help.

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Todays donation has been cancelled. most annoyed.
b0rked van apparently.

Now I cannot get booked in until December (and that is miles away from my house)

Hohum.

Jabby Mc Miss-the-vein Jabbypants today.

There's almost nothing but vein, ffs.

Just had a student nurse set me up, very smooth - no jabby Mc vein missing tonight :)

Universal donator!

Anyone got a link handy?