Costs you nothing, gives someone life! (National Blood Services (NBS))

Member Name: poonam82

Product:	National Blood Services (NBS)
Date:	21/05/09 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The actual procedure takes 15 minutes!

Disadvantages: Long queues if you dont book an appointment

Giving Blood - everyone has seen the adverts, everyone has seen the extra plugs when a specific blood Group is low in stock, how many people give.

My first time I gave, I was a little reluctant. I had no idea what to expect. But I got a very friendly welcome and off I went.

First of all, any people thinking of giving blood, if you want to, I would seriously suggest booking an appointment (unless you have loads of time on your hands) as the drop in service does exist but of course people with appointments have priority so you can be waiting potentially hours for an appointment.

You can call up the National Blood Line or book the appointment online - whichever is easier. I've been told so many times, if I am running late for an appointment, it's still better to have it rather than drop in so definitely advise that!

You are given lots of information to read on what happens to the blood, privacy if anything emerges when the blood is screened and they find something e.g. hepatitis and also how it can be used. It makes you realise it's a pretty good thing you are doing.

You go through a questionnaire - tick box, yes or no, of about 50 questions which looks at sexual history, medication, any risky activities you may have been involved in and also travel history.

A nurse then calls you up, goes through this with you - if you answered any questions that need further clarification, you speak to a Dr who is at the centre or unit and they require further details...

(I.e. one question there is have you ever lived outside the UK. Being a person that has lived in several places, I always get asked that and always have to have a doctor countersign and check I'm still Ok to give blood. I must admit, they are thorough with this, especially as I have travelled to malaria zones frequently so I always get tested for tropical diseases too once they take the blood. If I'm all clear, I don't hear from them, if something is wrong, I get a letter. Safe guards them as well as me)..

A nurse then does an anaemia test, a drop of blood in a blue solution, which I always forget what it's called! But if you're good to give blood, your blood drop will sink, if it doesn't, you are more than likely to be anaemic and you can't give blood.

Once that's done, you wait to get on the counter! You are asked to lie down, confirm your name and DOB and then are prepped to give blood. The needle is inserted - I'm not squeamish about needles, but I don't exactly enjoy being prodded wither, but for those with needle phobias out there, it really isn't as bad as it sounds - they are gentle. I've give over 20 times and not had a bad experience yet!

It literally takes 10-15 minutes for the bag to fill, in the mean time you squeeze like a stress ball or asked to make that movement with your hand to get a good flow into the bag.

Once you're done, you slowly get up, book another appointment and then sit down for a good cuppa or glass of squash and some bikkies or crisps - I'm doing weight watchers so was most impressed to find Special K bars last time I went!!

The waiting is the longest part of the process but take a good book and the actual giving blood, takes all of 15 minutes. Doesn't harm you. You are advised to take it easy for the rest of the day and don't do strenuous activities. As I'm far from a newbie, I gave in the morning early and by 6pm the same day, was my belly dance class. I assumed I would be fine but I did get really light headed and had to sit down!!

So be warned, don't be silly like me and heed their advice!!

Summary: Well worth it, costs you nothing and a small way to give back to society :)