OF NEEDLES AND BLOOD

with candy


Just returned from a blood donation Campaign with a good feeling. It was not so frightening as most people make it out to be. I as invited by my son joel to lend support to the blood donation drive organised by the Lung Yen Association of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor at the Klang Parade. So I went there after church and before I knew it I was at the registration booth and end up donating my share of blood. In retrospect I was almost near to donating blood over 35 years ago or so. There was an emergency request from a church member due to a family member in the hospital that needed blood urgently. So after the church meeting a group of us(then still in our teens) rushed to the hospital.After doing the necessary test and procedures I was ready to donate,even though I was scare stiff of blood and needles. Then almost when it was our turn to enter the room , a nurse came out to say they had enough of blood required and so we could go home. What a relieve to most of us.(well at least to me)
25 years later I never thought I will end up doing my part in blood donation.
I was glad I did what I did this afternoon as I had overcome my fear of needles and blood.( I did not look at it the whole time :P) It was not that bad as what some people make it appear to be.It was over within 25 minutes or so I was up and about ,even help out in issuing of certificate to the donors.
For the benefit of those who have never donate blood before or are contemplating doing it, let me encourage you to do it as you can help save lives. There is nothing to fear. It is just a couple of simple steps and it will not take more than an hour.

step 1: registered at the registration desk you will need to filled up a form with with brief health questionaires to ensure your blood is safe.
step 2: a blood sample is taken from your finger,with a stapler like instrument and it just felt like an ant bite.
step 3: another counter to check your helth status, vital sign and review the heatlth questionaire.
step 4: another staff will input your data and issue you a donor card if you do not have one (ie if you a a first time donor.)
step 5: you will be place in a chair where your blood will be drawn.
this will takes about 25 minutes or so. and you are done.
step 6: you can collect your certificate of appreciation and some iron tablets from another counter .


That's it. nice and easy. nothing to fear about.(now who's talking )
I was told donors can donate once every 3 months with no side effect at all.In fact there are health benefit in doing so. read here for more details. According to the national blood bank each donation can save up to 3 lives. so think about it.Do your part be a blood donor and save lives.
For more details and facts about blood donation please check out our national blood bank's Web site and hereThat was my first time experience as a blood donor. so would I do it again. A Definite yes. Jom kita derma darah.