Just back from donating blood and they tell me they are desperately short at the moment. There is no upper age limit, so if you are in good health why not donate and help someone that is in need.

https://www.blood.co.uk/

David Ruffin was on the case

I gave blood for years & years - until a few years ago when I was told I had to stop cos I was very anaemic. This was after 74 donations, so just 1 away from my diamond badge! Not allowed to donate any more - would if I could but I think I've done my bit anyway......Good on you for donating - every single drop is very much appreciated.❣️

1 hour ago, Kesalocasoul said:

Just back from donating blood and they tell me they are desperately short at the moment. There is no upper age limit, so if you are in good health why not donate and help someone that is in need.

https://www.blood.co.uk/

David Ruffin was on the case

That's a really impressive total Kathryn, so well done to you.

If just one person reads this and makes a donation, it will be a worthwhile post.

Similar to Kathryn...donated for years, then refused ....

please, if you can , donate.

Similarly, i too donated for years, from the age of 20 after having been involved in a car accident and needing blood afterwards. After having contracted Ulcerative Colitis 8 years ago i was no longer able to donate anymore.

2 hours ago, Owd Codger said:

Similar to Kathryn...donated for years, then refused ....

please, if you can , donate.

Not just me then. About ten years ago the pre donation iron level test failed a few times. They did the second test which on one occasion was so low that I was told to get a GP blood test. This came back OK and the GP said the donation test is unreliable. Five years ago failed two consecutive tests but asked if I could donate anyway. This was not possible as I may have keeled over although it didn't mean the blood was not useable. If this is the same for lots of over 60s that could be why there's a shortage. Just managed the last badge though.

Time for the youngsters to step up.

Rick

that was very similar to my experience I think......fortunately, I've never had a problem with subsequent blood tests.

Since retiring in 2015, I try to donate three or four times each year. I shall reach 50 donations on my next visit in early September, a few days after my 70th birthday.

It has taken me a while to reach that figure because we spent most of our working lives working overseas, including in countries that then had no facilities for collecting/storing blood (e.g. in Africa, Asia), or that refused to take my blood because I had lived in Africa (e.g. Germany).

As a O Neg. blood group, I'll keep donating here in Chester as long as I can, but may never reach Kathryn's impressive total...

I'm up to about 42/43 although been refused the last couple of times. The wife has just gone past 50 and still strong.

Thanks & well done to all who manage to give blood - none of us know when we might need it do we? Wish I could still donate, but after a gastric bleed made me very anaemic I was on iron tablets for quite a long time. My iron levels were being monitored & I was told by my GP no more donating for me......sad that I had to stop, but also felt as though I'd done my bit anyway....

I started again couple of years ago after a gap of 20 years. Last two dates have been cancelled on the day by the service. Don’t know if that’s apathy from the public or lack of staff.

For a few years in my 30s I donated blood plasma at a place in Manchester. I'm not sure if a low blood iron level would matter, I don't remember any testing for this. Donating plasma earned you bonus points for the totals so an easy way to bump up you figures.

Who can donate plasma - NHS Blood Donation

Looks like I can't do this now but others might be able.