SCKev 38 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 As the topic says can anyone give me a bit more of an insight to the whole process and what it's like? i have looked at the ppinned post but it is dated 2004, I've also looked at videos and on the website but would just like a view of what it's like from people that give it. I'm thinking about donating blood and the whole bone marrow talk popped up along with it. http://www.blood.co.uk/giving-blood/why-give-blood/ (If mods feel this is the same as the pinned topic please delete) Do you give either? What is it like? Is there any complications with giving? Thanks Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart 128 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I've given blood over 30 times, it's no problem whatsoever. You go into the session and present yourself at the reception desk. The receptionist will take some details and give you a folder with all the information to read. They will also give you a donation form to fill in and ask you to drink a pint of water - they will even provide juice to add to the water. Once you've filled in the form and read the folder, you'll get called behind a curtain where a donor assistant will verify your details, antiseptic swab one of your fingers and take a pin prick of blood and drop into a chemical solution to check your iron levels. If everything is ok, you'll be asked to take a seat to wait for a donation chair. You'll be called to donate by one of the assistants, they'll ask which arm you prefer to donate from and they'll adjust the equipment to which side you prefer. The arm will be swabbed and dried and you'll be asked to open and close your fist whilst they apply a cuff to your upper arm and inflate it. Once they have a decent vein, they'll insert the needle, fill a couple of small phials for testing, attach the donation bag and release the cuff asking to continue making and releasing a fist as it makes the blood flow faster. Throughout the donation process, you will be constantly monitored to make sure you're ok. Once the bag is full, an alarm will sound - don't worry - nothing is wrong, it's just to alert the staff that the donation is complete. The bag will be clamped and stored away safely, the needle will be removed and a dressing applied, making sure you apply direct pressure to the needle site. Once the assistant is happy, you'll go to the recovery station where you will offered a choice of hot or cold drinks, and a snack (biscuits or crisps) Once you've had that, you'll be offered the chance to book your next appointment. It's fairly painless apart from the 2 very small pin pricks which you'll hardly feel as the staff are very experienced. There is always a doctor at every donation session for the rare occasion that something does go wrong. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCKev 38 Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 Thanks for your reply Bart. I'm going to have a look into it more there is a church hall just behind my house I could go and visit. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart 128 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 My 17 year old son went with me to my last donation and donated for the first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCKev 38 Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 I've just signed up, I'm going to have a look at sessions near me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWall 8 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 (edited) I hate needles but have started donating and have been to my first session and have my second booked in for november (although i need to check the HepB course wont cause any issues). It goes as Bart says and the staff are great, if you can do it its a very positive thing to do and im sure the nerves will go away with time for me Edited October 16, 2015 by JWall 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCKev 38 Posted October 17, 2015 Author Share Posted October 17, 2015 I hate needles but have started donating and have been to my first session and have my second booked in for november (although i need to check the HepB course wont cause any issues). It goes as Bart says and the staff are great, if you can do it its a very positive thing to do and im sure the nerves will go away with time for me Cheers JWall . Did it cause any issues with the HepB stuff I have my had my injections, so I'm assuming that I will get them through the police? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merseyside_N 5 Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 There's something about the feel-good feeling that I get every time I've donated It's good to give something to those that need it (as I'm pretty sure you all know on here!) For relatively little pain or uncomfortableness, you get some biscuits and a brew. It's worth it for that alone... I'm a 13-time donor - not quite as committed as Bart though, it seems ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWall 8 Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Im not sure yet, im due the first HepB this weekend i think and due to donate on 06/11. Going to ring up on monday and find out, i will let you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWall 8 Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Yes you can have HepB and still donate according to occupational health nurse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCKev 38 Posted October 17, 2015 Author Share Posted October 17, 2015 Cheers for that JWall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCAndrae 2 Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Going for my third session on Monday...feels good knowing that you may be making a contribution to someone's life :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCKev 38 Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Going for my third session on Monday...feels good knowing that you may be making a contribution to someone's life :D None are near me so I will have to drive to them. Is it ok to drive afterwards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCAndrae 2 Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 None are near me so I will have to drive to them. Is it ok to drive afterwards? Yeah you should be good to drive home mate...they usually give you free food to munch on afterwards :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCKev 38 Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Yeah you should be good to drive home mate...they usually give you free food to munch on afterwards :D Biscuits I hear what a bonus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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