Bzzz vibrates my phone. A text from blood.co.uk. “Thank you so much for donating. Your donation has now been issued to Hammersmith Hospital”. A positive way to start the day knowing that something you did has helped someone, somewhere.
Should I give blood? It is perhaps not a thought that crosses the mind of most.
For me, it was simply a conversation with someone who had donated theirs which sparked the idea in my head. The idea that I, as a healthy adult with no known erythropoiesis issues, should part with 470ml of red fluid once every three months and that red fluid would be pumped into the body of someone in a less fortunate situation. But you don’t know them, you don’t care about them, so why do it? Well, it is not just about the person on the other end. One day, you or someone close to you will very likely need extra blood, so donating now is merely saving up in advance.
Selflessness. Giving a part of your human self is a rather kind thing to do and we aren’t all that nice, but I have to confess I get satisfaction from it as well. Knowing I have supported a patient with cancer, anaemia or undergoing surgery feels good. Receiving that text about who gets my donations feels good. And again, if I give mine today then I hope life returns the favour when I need it. Plus, they have a bowl of the Club chocolate bars. So perhaps it is not all that selfless after all.
In the UK, the NHS operate a national blood donation service. Donations are made on a voluntary basis with no compensation and keeping up with the demand for supply is therefore not easy. According to their website, they need: 400 new donors a day to meet demand; more ethnic diversity in donors and; priority blood types like O negative. You can find out more information and register here: https://www.blood.co.uk/why-give-blood/
What is the blood donation procedure?
Personally, I do not like needles and whilst the mental thought of intravenous cannulation is enough to make me as pale as Casper the friendly ghost, I muster the courage to overcome my dislike (by looking away). The NHS blood operation is smooth. The website makes it easy to navigate and book an appointment, and it even tells you how far away the nearest donor sites are. I have visited more than one blood donation centre and the staff were always well prepared and well equipped.
First you’ll complete a questionnaire and read the information leaflets while sipping on a pint of water or squash.
Once you’ve had a moment to relax and settle, you’ll be taken into a room for a quick health screening and to check your iron level with a drop of blood from finger prick. As an aside, I know someone who discovered they were anaemic and ended up in hospital. Slightly amusing that they went to give blood and ended up needing it.
The next stage is the donation. You will lie back on a comfortable bed, hand over your least favourite arm, and the donor centre staff will sort out the rest. Once the blood starts flowing, it takes about 5-10 minutes to fill up the bag. This is a good time to read an e-book or catch up on your social media feed while doing the signposted muscle tensing exercises to enhance blood flow.
The best part comes at the end – the refreshments in the recovery area. You sit here for a few minutes to make sure all is well and are invited to have a cup of tea, squash or biscuits and crisps.
And they are open with covid-19 measures in place.
Firas Ur-Rub 