Blood donation

There is an article in TST today about there not being enough blood in reserve so elective surgeries are being put off. If you can, you really should go donate blood because it can help so many people. Reasons like "I'm scared of needles" or "I'm scared of blood" are not valid because the pain, if there's any, doesn't last for very long and after a while I'm sure it'll wear off. Unless of course you are the type who faint when you set your sights upon a sewing needle or start hyperventilating, then perhaps you can be excused. Ok, so maybe I can't vouch for the minimum pain part but think of the people who are in pain who have to have their surgery put off because there isn't enough blood to go around and compare it with the pain you experience for that short while during donation. If I could, I would have went for donation ages ago. That is, if I could. Apparently, the previous year after I've spent a good 10 minutes filling up a form, I am certified too light to donate. I still weigh the same though, so donation for me is out of the question for now.

However, if you can donate, why not? If you are deciding to do so, check the requirements below:

Age : 16 to 60 years (16 & 17-year-old can donate with parental / guardian consent)

Weight : At least 45 kg (100 Ibs.) for both males and females

Health : Generally good

Well Being : Feeling well that day.

If you've donated before, the time interval between then and the next time you can donate is 12 weeks/3 months.

If you are taking medication, are/was ill, please check out this website to look see if you are eligible to donate. Even if you are fine, check out the website anyway to double-check. Don't want you running down to donate only to find out you aren't eligible! =)

If you are under 18, you need this parent consent form.

The place where you can donate? At Outram Road.

Centre for Transfusion Medicine
Health Sciences Authority (Opposite Outram Park MRT Station)
11 Outram Road, Singapore 169078
Tel: 6223 5640, 6213 0626

Did you also know that you can also donate different parts of your blood? This is called Pheresis Donation. However, the procedure is different from normal whole blood donation. Click here to see which type of donation is preferred for your blood group.

Link

If you are a NUS student:

NUS Blood donation drive 2007
Red Cross Humanitarian Network (RCHN) NUS Chapter

You never know when you, a loved one, or a friend may need blood. Blood must be available before it is needed. In support of the Singapore Red Cross Blood Donor Recruitment Program, the NUS Red Cross Chapter organizes a blood donation drive every year. Your support is very important for us, and more so for many others who are on the brink of death. Blood donation saves Lives!! You can make a difference between life and death, so please come down and make a blood donation if you can. Bring friends along too! Remember to bring your NRIC or passport with you as well!

Date: Jan 30th、31st, Feb 1st、2nd, 2007
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Multipurpose Hall 4 (MPSH 4)
Contact: Kang Jia 97346840, kangjiajoy@gmail.com.

Even better! Right at school! =) Everybody, be brave!