What is the most important thing that you did today? Maybe you took care of your family, tried your best at work (you know you always do!), or helped a friend. Can any of you say that you helped save a life today? And that it took only about half an hour of your time? Donating blood is one of the easiest ways to truly make a difference to those who are in need.
Last weekend, My hubby and I had the opportunity to be part of a Blood Donation “Save a life campaign” which was held at Seremban Prima on the 22 and 23 August 2020 with collaboration of the Rotary Club of Seremban, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar and Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia, Negeri Sembilan branch. More than 300 blood donors came forward to make this blood donation campaign a success!
More than 44,000 people need blood donations every day! Although science and medical management are advancing, there is NO substitute for blood that is necessary for transfusions and more. The only way to obtain the blood vital to saving people’s lives, is from donators just like you.
So now that we’ve talked about the WHY, let’s talk about the WHAT. What is involved in donating blood?
You must first meet a few basic health requirements in order to be eligible. You must be in good health (you are not fighting a cold or feeling poorly that day), are at least 16 years old, and weigh at least 49kg. When you arrive at your donation appointment or the blood drive you may participate in, you will be put through a brief medical history, followed by a brief health screening.
You will have your pulse, blood pressure, weight and temperature checked. So you basically get a mini-physical for free! Some tips to ensure a smooth donation are to drink extra fluids to maintain adequate hydration, about 16 ounces before the donation, and eat a healthy meal that is not high in fats. You should always try to eat an iron rich diet that includes foods such as leafy vegetables, beans, fish, poultry and red meat. If you have low iron levels in your blood, you will not be able to donate.
After the donation, which only takes about 10 minutes, you will be given a light refreshment and relax for a few minutes. Eight weeks later you are able to return and do it again!
One single blood donation is separated into three different parts, and is able to help up to 3 people. Think about how many lives you can help save, if you began to donate blood once or twice a year, and continue as you are able.
So, what are you waiting for?
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