unable to donate blood

[beccaboos]

i've just tried to book an appointment to donate blood as i am a rare blood group. they said that as i have bronchiectasis i can never donate blood. i've donated before but now theyre saying no. i'm so upset. why can't i donate my blood? i'm not unwell with it.

[stone-UK]

Hi

blood.co.uk/who-can-give-bl...

Only reason may be medication or hospital visits? Can not spot any other reason.

[beccaboos in reply to stone-UK]

i'm only on inhalers and 1 breathing tablet atm. the man on the phone said its so i don't pass anything on to someone else but this offends me as i'm not infectious

[cofdrop-UK]

I am sad this has upset you so much beccaboos. They didn’t want my blood when I was in my late teens and that was a long time ago. Shame as you are a rare blood group. Please don’t be upset - you have certainly done your bit and probably saved lives already.

Love cx

[beccaboos in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thank you. I really hope I did. Blood is so precious. At least I have good health atm. My man is now donating in my place 💖

[Caspiana]

The doctor at the hospital told me I will never be able to donate either. Not because I will infect anyone, just that I'm on too many medications. I'm sorry beccaboos , that's not nice to hear at all. xx

[beccaboos in reply to Caspiana]

It's so pants eh. My meds are up and down quite dramatically but atm I'm on a level. I guess I have to accept that I've done my bit, at least my man can do it in my place. Xx

[sukee52]

I had donated blood 48 times with the full knowledge of both my gp and blood uk about my lifelong chronic bronchitis. Three years ago when I was booking a phone appointment I was told that I should never have been allowed to donate and couldn’t donate ever again. Like you I was upset, I thought all donations were rigoursly tested. I asked why it was suddenly an issue and no explanation was given. My daughter and son in law both donate regularly, so at least that is good news.

[helenlw7]

My bronchiecstasis was undiagnosed until five years ago. I was told by consultants that it was probably caused by very bad bronchitis when I was a baby or a severe dose of measles at eight. I was only stopped from donating when the mad cow disease thing came to light and I was stopped because I had two pints of blood after the birth of my first son. If there was a risk of infecting patients who recieved my blood, I hate to think how many have suffered!

[cherv]

I would check with your gp on these facts blood centers may have changed their rules. So sorry to hear as all have said you did a wonderful service over the many years. So many saved by your blood type. Smile with this fact!

[Hidden]

Ive also been told my blood is not welcome.in america they would pay for my blood.

[Hidden]

Also meant 2 say when we are told this they could be a bit more tactful.it also upset me at the time.not nice.

[Vidvid]

Don't be upset beccaboos. I was a fit donor for many years. Each donation was preceded by various questions like had I had a recent tattoo to had I been in Chernobyl. The last visit I was asked if I had ever been to Brazil. When I replied yes I was told my blood would no longer be required, ever. No explanation.

[peege]

I'm sorry you're so upset but great that your chap is donating.

On the positive side it's great that they're so stringent in their rules. I was reading recently about all those still suffering after the HIV contaminated blood from the U.S. years ago & it's so sad.

Congratulate yourself for all the donations you've made in the past! 👍👍👍