Last time I went for a morning blood test I didn't eat or drink anything beforehand so they couldn't get any blood out despite sticking a needle in both arms. It looked quite worrying actually, them trying to withdraw blood but only getting a few droplets out - for a very split second thought I was the walking dead!

Lesson learned is to always have plenty to drink beforehand - got my first session booked next month, so thank you OP for reminding me.

Yeah I take tablets every single day for the rest of my life. Wow that sounded depressing lol.

The fact someone is black will not prevent them giving blood. More likely as others have said, is failing the questionnaire. That could simply be having certain dental treatments, visiting certain countries, drug taking or a few other reasons. Anaemia is tested for and will also rule you out. Ethnic minorities are more likely to be a less common type of blood or have rare antibodies etc and they are frequently specifically asked to attend clinics, not told to go away.

If I give a pint of blood I expect a pint of tea in return to replace it. I'm British, I survive on tea

Until u have a heart attack under their supervision

Biggest pile of crap I've heard since....the last HUKD thread I clicked on!

I've given blood. All shapes & colours of people donating. IF you were denied, it was probably for another reason that you are not disclosing!

I used to give blood regularly, then got a letter saying where I used to go was to be scrapped due to blood demand no longer required due to advances in science etc.
Then I get bombarded with letters saying my blood type is low etc etc. Hardly makes you motivated to do it again.

The Transfusion Service is not about taking a unit of blood from you if you are going to present with an unfortunate consequence of the sudden loss of blood volume. That is if you have a condition like a previous heart attack or stroke. Or if you have some types of diabetes or epilepsy where these changes in volume could trigger something. Making you worse or be in the position of needing the blood back. They are also trying not to give the recipient a virus or other disease you may have been carrying from your overseas travel or lifestyle choices. Likewise a previous cancer illness, although the donor may be fit the cause could be some unknown factor like a virus and the donor shouldn't get that! Especially as some people need frequent or large numbers of donations which leave their immune systems vulnerable. It's nice to give but not at any expense! I can not give now as I have Lymphoma a blood cancer. Even the remnants of a cold may kill me! Some mobile teams have a time limit from the first donation of the session and can not over run, as the session has to be processed in a certain time. That's why you may be refused at the session end.