DISCLAIMER If you have a fear, phobia or just general hate of needles and blood this review may contain information that may be upsetting. Being a qualified nurse, I have first hand experience in how important donated blood can be in order to save someones life. Having worked in A and E and also on a surgical unit I was often required to set up a blood transfusion for a patient. This could be down to loosing blood in theatre or a life or death situation following a serious accident. The one thing I do know is that without this donated blood a huge percentage of these patients would have died. The national blood service, consists of a dedicated ...  Read the complete review

Giving blood is something that we should all try and do. I would like to share my experience of being a first time blood-donor. I was walking past my local Community Centre when I noticed a large National Blood Service Vechicle parked outside, my immediate reaction was that this was something I have wanted to for ages and that I should give it a try. Rather nevously I entered the building to be greated by one of the nurses who asked me if I had given blood before, I told her I hadnt so she gave me 2 leaflets to read and to read them whilst I joined the queue. The first leaflet described the blood collection process and what was entailed, the second ...  Read the complete review

Well, recently I gave blood for the first time, having intended to do so ever since I became old enough. The only thing that had really held me up was that there were no open sessions near me whenever I was available. Everything was always either fully booked or clashed with a time when I was working or in a lecture. However, finally, the national blood service ran a session at my university and as they were open during the gap between my lectures, I decided now that was the time I was finally going to do my bit. Even this session full of students was very busy! Those who had booked appointments had to wait after their appointment times and those ...  Read the complete review

To start with I should say that everyone who can should give blood. It is easy to do and helps to save lives. Getting started - the best thing to do would be to go on www.blood.co.uk to register and book an appointment near where you live/work. On your first blood donation you are given a lot more detailed information to ensure you are a suitable donor and explaining the process. Once you have donated a few times, the information pack is much smaller. Process - the way it works is you first fill a form in (which they send you in advance) with questions about where you have travelled and other questions designed to see if you can give blood. At the ...  Read the complete review

Giving blood wasn't easy for me. I'd promised myself for a few years that I'd 'find the time' and that I'd 'pop in on the way home', but the reality was that I was terrified. Time after time I'd stroll casually past the donation centre, 'forgetting' my promise to myself. Years on, I regret not donating as soon as I had the chance. I'm 22 now, and the proud giver of three blood donations. My first was a relatively forced one during my time as a university student - a friend had to send a lot of encouragement my way, and of course the chance to have a huge meal at the SU bar helped, but that didn't stop the shaking by the time I arrived to donate. Nervous, I made a point ..  Read the complete review