Becoming a Blood Donor
Last week the NHS Blood and Transplant Unit announced an amber alert meaning they have less than two days worth of supply instead of their standard six days. The result of this means that hospitals may have to postpone some non-urgent operations. In response to this, we asked Lydia, our Marketing Assistant, to share the process she goes through as a blood donor. Here is her account:
Last week was my second donation. For over five years I had been one of those people who has always wanted to give but was nervous about the process. During my first donation, I can say, honestly, that staff we’re supportive throughout the entire process, explaining the process that the blood goes through before being used in hospitals. Like many, my reasoning for giving blood has been seeing first-hand the impact that blood can have on someone in need of it.
On this occasion, I knew the process, of filling in a health check form, and they then perform a quick and painless haemoglobin test that involves pricking your finger and putting it into a vial of copper sulphate solution. If the blood sinks to the bottom in a set time, you can give blood.
Next, they take you to a donation chair, where they will apply a blood pressure cuff to allow for a small amount of pressure to help in the donation. This pressure is not uncomfortable and is nothing to be worried about. Finally, they’ll clean the arm and then insert the needle into a vein. A donation can take up to 10 to 30 minutes and the Donor Carers will keep checking in on you to make sure you are comfortable.
The most rewarding part of the entire process is recieving a text message a couple of weeks after donation where you are informed where you blood went to in the country. It’s then that it solidifys within the importance of being a donor.
At present men can give blood every 12 weeks and women every 16 weeks.
Due to the dangerously low levels of blood, the NHS is encouraging any who have O or O+ blood type to donate. This is because it is the most common type of blood and thus anyone can receive O- in emergencies.
Are you interested in becoming a blood donor like Lydia? Why not register today?