Thursday, July 27, 2006

One bag Saves 3 lives

Today, I fulfilled one of my wishes - to be able to donate my blood. It's been a long-time coming. I've been thinking of doing this since time memorial but couldn't have enough courage or was too busy with work. Fortunately, our company is supporting a blood drive this month, allowing employees to donate blood during company hours. It's good because I'm not that busy, I'm still scared or nervous, but I know I could overcome the fear.

I went there 10 mins earlier than my scheduled appointment which was 9:30am. The lady asked me a few questions and she asked if it was my first time. I said yes, and she gave this sticker which says, 'First time blood donor' and she smiled. She gave me this questionnaire which I need to fill-out. I know there will be questions relating to HIV, but I got interested reading a question on man-to-man sexual intercourse (male donors) or for female donors - having sex with a man who has ever had sex with another man. (So these people have high risks of not being able to donate blood or can't be donors at all? hmmm ...interesting).

Anyhoo, when I finished filling out the form, a very nice woman named Wilma led me to a cubicle and reviewed my answers. I thought it's gonna be fast but we took a long time on this particular item on the form - Have you been outside US? She asked me which provinces or places I visited in the Philippines. And she verified if those places are areas of risk for malaria. I was telling myself that I hope this will not prevent me from donating blood. And I felt relieved when Wilma said we're ok. Her knowing that it's my first time, she said for me to relax and not get too nervous and that they will take care of me. She was so nice. First, she placed this temperature strip under my tongue, checked my pulse, blood pressure and then punctured my middle finger to get my blood count. After that, she came back with 3 bags (that I thought I will fill-up all those, but just 1), she smiled and asked, Are you ready? "Yes! Let's do this."

Behind those stalls or cubes, were 8 cots, almost fully-occupied. But good thing there's still a vacant one coz I didn't want to wait and watch people. I sat first on the cot and a woman named Belinda smiled at me looking at my first donor sticker. She asked, How am I, I said and smiled, 'Ok...' She said, 'Don't worry it will just be fast. It won't feel that bad.' I know I can tolerate pain. It's just may be the sight of blood flowing out from my body that makes me nervous. She gave me this squeeze bar (like a stress ball shaped like a bar) and tighten a wrapping on my left arm first. She told me to squeeze it for her to identify the veins. And then repeated the procedure on my right arm. Eventually, my right arm was stronger thus producing larger veins for her to insert the needle. She told me to lie down, she cleaned the area where the needle will be inserted and then she inserted the needle. My blood is now flowing out from my body into one of those bags (and it doesn't really hurt). And then she told me, 'One bag saves 3 lives.'




After the bag has been filled, she took out the needle, put a cotton and asked me to hold my arm up for a short while. She then put a wrapping to cover and put pressure on my arm. Belinda told me to lie down still for a few more minutes. She even gave me an orange juice. After I think 10 mins, I was ready to sit up and she led me to the rest / canteen area. Someone also offered me a juice, I was a bit shy because I want to get it myself but they were too kind to get it for me. She also gave me cookies.

My appointment was 15 mins and it took me an hour and 15. It was a very fulfilling experience. I think I will do it again after 8 weeks.


posted @ 5:52 PM

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