I often drive along Hursley Road on a Friday evening and it seems that almost every week the Give Blood vehicles are parked outside St Boniface church – a blood donor session is underway.
Today (14 June) is World Blood Donor Day, so I thought I would write a little a bit what happens when you give blood – and highlight some of the improvements that have been made over the thirty-plus years that I’ve been a blood donor.
The first improvement is that there is now no need to turn up and wait; you can make an appointment in advance (though you can turn up and wait if you wish). In fact, you can usually make an appointment for your next visit while you are there – usually at the tea table.
The staff will aim to compete your donation within an hour of your booked appointment time. But unexpected delays do happen, so take a book to read while you are waiting (the selection of reading material in the waiting area has not improved over the last thirty years!). Personally, I don’t mind being delayed – it’s not often that I get a chance to be “away from it all” with good book.
There is a short questionnaire to check your lifestyle and health and to address any potential risk issues. The form is usually sent to your home address a week or so in advance of your appointment. Before too long you are called to a private booth where a nurse will check your answers, clarify any points, and determine whether you are fit to give blood that day.
A finger or thumb is pierced with a small needle (it doesn’t hurt) and a tiny amount of blood is taken and dropped into a test tube of coloured liquid. I’ve never found out what this is checking, but my blood has always passed the test.
A few minutes wait for a bed to come available, and you are taken to give blood. It’s not a bed any more – more a large reclining chair. Rather comfortable as you lean back and contemplate the ceiling.
You will be given a choice of which arm you would like blood take from – I don’t have a preference, I take whichever side the chair is made up for. A blood pressure cuff is put round your arm, and your forearm is cleaned with a swab.
Now the bit that people seem to dread the most – the big needle is stuck into your arm, on the inside of your elbow. Now, here is the really important bit: IT DOESN’T HURT. They used to give a local anaesthetic, but stopped that several years ago, as it isn’t necessary.
And now you just sit, relax, and wait for your donation to complete – gently moving your hand to help the blood flow. 470 millilitres of blood is collected – just under a pint (but still nearly an armful).
And that’s it. There’s no longer a ten-minute rest period; you are free to stand up (slowly) and go and get your tea and biscuits. And these are far better than they used to be too – a wide selection of biscuits, crisps, sweets, etc. In fact, the only time I ever have a Club biscuit is when I go to give blood!
Regular blood donor sessions are held at St Boniface Church, Pavilion on the park, The Hub and various other places around Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford. Details can be found on the Blood Donation website.
Hope this might encourage more folk to donate. (Only around 5 percent of the population do.)
We all take for granted blood will be readily available in hospitals, but most don’t give a thought to how much is needed every year. I unfortunately, after 30 odd years, have been told I can no longer give blood, (or platelets which I used to donate) as I have had major heart surgery, and need to take pills daily.
So cummon folks, do your bit, donate, you can feel proud that you are helping to keep someone alive. No reward can beat that. Steve.
Steve,
Many thanks for your feedback and thank you for setting such a good example for all of us.
To be honest it’s rather convenient to give blook in our area, so there is no excuse not to. My son was a recipient of blood as a one year old baby, and I truly appreciate the kindness by blood donors.
I wish you all the best.
Another recent innovation is that a few days after your donation you get a text advising you which hospital has used your blood.
Great article, Chippy. May well see you at a future donor session as I go to St. Boniface for my donation sessions. And, yes, to all who are thinking about donating, please do it. Blood donation helps in so many ways from straight transfusion to being separated into different parts for different needs (especially plasma and platelets).
I normally go elsewhere, but will be visiting the session at St Boniface in the autumn as my usual venue is full.
Chippy,
I don’t think the donation centre at St. Boniface opens every Friday. It’s once a month I think.
They also put a notice in the library and some shop windows.
The upcoming sessions (on Fridays) at St. Boniface church are:
23 June
18th August
22nd September
13th October
10th November
p/s: Do you have some sort of certificate / badge to show off about your blood donation?
Hi Janet, you don’t get certificates each time you donate, but you get an award when you have donated 25 units, another at 50, and I think one at 75. ( I didn’t get to 75) I received a certificate stating the number of donations when I stopped donating. I assume it is still the same, (I had to stop 5 years ago.) You don’t need awards, or certificates anyway, this enough to know you are doing your bit to help others.
Thanks Steve. I remember a friend telling me she had recently got a certain award for her donation. It was a special moment and she was very proud. Hope you are keeping well.
Yes it is once a month, but it seems as if I see the vans more often! You used to get a small certificate each time you donated, and a wallet to keep them in. Now it is all stored electronically and you have a credit-card sized card. It’s gold after 50 donations – in a couple of years I’ll find out what colour it goes after 75. I was also presented with a badge and a pen on my 50th donation.
Many years ago when my father reached 50 they had a small presentation at the donor centre. That’s when it was unusual to reach that many. Now it is so common they don’t make such a big thing about it!