Congrats
I'm on 10 now, though I'd of been probably more if I learnt what I did on my last donation "attempt". It was an attempt cause I registered 117 on iron and the min cap is 135 so was refused donation and banned for a year
I got talking about feeling guilty not donating so often being o neg, and this donation was to also include a test for platelet, but was told the nearest one was an hour away and could end up waiting up to two hours and they expect you to donate a lot more once you start - so I decided to avoid. I talked about being O neg and not donating enough so enquired about taking double the amount as I read America do it and it's called a power red. Unfortunately the NHS do not so that's why I thought about platelets.
The nurse then went on to tell me my bloods extra special because I've never had a virus called CMV and so I'm classed as neo rr, meaning my blood is used specifically for new borns and baby's who have no immune system. I feel quite proud of that even though it's fluke, my blood is used to help some of the most fragile beings who can only have my type of blood. There's no chance I'll stay CMV and around 80% of people usually have it by 34 (I'm 33 now) so time is running out for me to benefit that specific group.
I'm ot a tin hat person but I've considered what this may meanwith regards to covid, vaccines and if this will cause some risk to newborns and babies with low immune systems having the blood with the vaccine, like it does with CMV if you've ever had it; though that is contracting the virus and not a vaccine. I might be overthinking but I'm waiting on a call back from the blood team to discuss my query as I don't want to jeapodise my blood being so useful