Dartford Giving

By Kate Hargreaves

This month’s Dartford Giving is based on a very recent experience I had at Dartford Football Club. Not cheering on the Darts, but turning up on a rainy Thursday afternoon to be a blood donor. This isn’t the usual sort of thing we think about under the umbrella of “volunteering”, but it does take a little bit of your time and can help the wider community in a big way.

Giving blood

“What is it?” The title says it all really… You donate a small portion (470ml) of your blood to be used by the NHS either to help patients when they need blood or for researching and testing purposes; both incredibly worthwhile causes. “What would I get out of it?” The NHS campaign has the catchy slogan of “do something amazing”. You’re literally giving part of your body to help strangers in need, so yes, it’s pretty amazing. In terms of more tangible things you get out of it, the nurses have to make sure you’re feeling well before you leave the room, so you have an unlimited supply of squash drinks, TUC biscuits, Club bars and shortbread biscuits. (I’ve been attending donation sessions in Dartford for the last ~25 years, with my parents and now myself as an adult, and reassuringly the snacks never change.) “How much time do I need for it?” The aim is to get donors seen and out of the venue within an hour of the appointment time. At the moment, you need to book an appointment in advance. A lot of venues act as donation session hosts, so there is likely to be one relatively accessible to you. Men can give blood every 12 weeks and women every 16 weeks, but

there is no pressure to do so that regularly. “Are there any requirements?” The most basic requirements for first time donors are being in good health, aged 17-66 and weighing 50-158kg. There are certain circumstances in which you can’t give blood. Check out https://www. blood.co.uk/who-can-give-blood/ for more details.

“Anything else I need to know?” 1) Donation sessions are still ongoing throughout the pandemic. Social distancing when I recently attended was excellent, so please don’t be put off in the current climate. 2) I’m aware that different countries have different processes for giving blood, so if you’re from overseas, please note that in the UK it is a public appeal for all willing persons to give blood – you don’t need to know someone who needs blood in order to donate it. 3) There is a push for male donors, black donors and O negative donors, but if you don’t fall into these categories you’re still just as valued.

“That’s all fine, but does it hurt?” No, there’s barely any feeling at all. You have a tiny blood sample taken from your finger to check iron levels, which is barely noticeable in terms of pain, and then to donate, you feel a light pinprick / scratch on your arm when the needle is inserted and then feel nothing after that. You lay back (reading or scrolling Instagram optional) in a recliner chair for 5-10 minutes while you donate and then you’re sent to the beloved snack table.

“Okay, I’ll give it a try, how do I sign up?” You can find out more, register and book an appointment at https:// www.blood.co.uk/.

If you want to chat about any of the above, feel free to email kate@dartfordliving.com. Now go do something amazing!