Blood service is to blame for the fall in donations
I was sorry to learn that there is a blood-donor crisis in Britain after reading last week’s Mail on Sunday – but I agree with Peter Hitchens that the blood transfusion service created their own barrier to donating.
Over the past few months, I was suspended along with many others because it seemed certain donations resulted in an adverse reaction in an obviously very sick patient.
I sent my blood off for testing but months later, I had received no result. Ultimately, my blood was cleared, but I missed two donations and I’m the blood type that they urgently need.
J. Green, Burton upon Trent
I have been a blood donor for many years but at a recent session, I failed the initial health screening before donating.
I was obviously not eligible to donate at that time, but what puzzled me was that I could not offer to donate for the next three months.
I am all in favour of giving blood, but the service cannot bemoan the shortage of donors and fail to use those available.
William Berry, Yate, Bristol
Peter Hitchens’s comments on the new blood donor process were spot-on last week. I have given blood for more than 40 years and while some improvements have been made, not all are necessarily for the benefit of the donor. For one, I haven’t found the current appointment system to be a speedier way of donating.
Sylvia Delacoe, Daventry, Northamptonshire
I used to give blood every four months until they scrapped the blood wagon drop-in. Now the nearest donation centre is a 20-mile round trip. This takes a minimum of three hours out of my day, and I have to consider the cost of fuel and parking.
Jasmine Johnson, Manchester
I was a donor for 12 years but had a transfusion 18 years ago, which has meant I’m no longer able to give blood for fear of infecting someone. However, I was able to donate bone marrow stem cells for an overseas recipient. It’s very annoying as I am willing to donate, but they don’t want it.
D. Foster, Ascot
It is terrible to think that hospitals may have to postpone some nonurgent operations. The waiting lists are going to get worse and worse. It’s evident that it’s never been more important to give a drop of blood. I hope your article prompts more people to do so.
Bethany Webb, Aberwheeler, Clwyd