Blood Donation - You Can Save

Last month, a one week blood donation was held in Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) on the 27th February until 2nd March. It was organized by the First Aid Unit (FAU). The blood donation campaign is organized every semester as a donor may donate their blood every 3 months.

TARC Blood Donation Campaign 2012

Why should you donate blood? Do you know that blood donation not only benefit others, but also benefit yourself? Do you know that one blood bag of  350 ml-450 ml can save three lives and while just three teaspoons of blood can save the life of a premature baby? By just donating your blood, you may reduce the chance of getting heart diseases and cancer. It can also enhance the production of new red blood cells. In addition, blood donation can burn calories which can help in diet!

It was my second time of donating blood. The first time was during last year's Wesak Day. Therefore, I have taken a light breakfast and had 7 hours of sleep before I went to there. This is the preparation you should do if you are going to donate blood. You must be in a fit condition to donate blood.

To be a qualified donor, you must full fill the conditions below:

a. You must age in between 18-60 years old.
b. You must not weigh less than 45kg.
c. Your haemoglobin content level must be at least 12.5 gm%.
d. The last blood donation you have taken was at least 90 days ago.
e. You are healthy and had not diagnosed from malaria, typhoid or any other transmissible disease from the past.
f. You have taken your meal and had at least 6 hours ot sleep.

If you have the conditions as below, you are not allowed to participate in the blood donation:

a. Caught a cold/fever in the past one week.
b. Taken antibiotics or under any other medication.
c. Had major surgery in the past 6 months.
d. Had vaccination in the past 24 hours.
e. Had alcohol in the past 24 hours.
f. Have a history of drug addiction.
g. Have different sexual partners.
h. Tested positive for antibodies to HIV.
i. Had tattoo or piercing in the past 6 months.
j. Females that are pregnant or having monthly menstruation.

When you arrived at the blood centre, you will be asked some general questions regarding your health status and donation history. You will also be asked to weigh first. Later on,  you are required to fill a questionnaire with questions similar like above. The whole blood donation process is only about 10-15 minutes.

Helper asking questions

Filling the questionnaires

After that, the first aiders will perform a quick check on you, to check the body temperature, blood pressure, pulse and haemoglobin content in the blood. First, your finger will be pricked to collect a little blood for a blood check. If your haemoglobin content is tested to be negative, then you are not allowed to donate blood. If you pass this stage, you may proceed to the next stage, which is to check your blood pressure. These few stages are like a serial progress, you must pass the first one in order to continue the second one.

Ready to prick the finger

The equipments for blood check

Blood Check

After you have done the quick check, you will be registered as a qualified donor. If you are a first time donor, a small red book will be given to you. The function of this small red book is to do record for every time you donate blood.

Registration for the donor's red book

Next, you will be asked to bring a plastic bag that contains a pack of sterile equipments and blood bag to the place where the blood donation takes place. Firstly, you will be asked to lie down on a resting chair. Then, the nurse will inject the tranquilizer before she starts to poke in the needle to your arm. After that, just sit relax and wait for the blood bag to be filled. It takes around 5-10 minutes to fully fill up the blood bag.

The plastic bag with sterile equipments inside

Preparing for the donation

 

Filling up the blood bag

 

Other donors

After the blood bag is filled, the needle will be taken out and you will be asked to press on the injection spot with a cotton wool to stop the bleeding. Lastly, the nurse will put a band-aid on it. After the donation, you are not allowed to move around immediately, you have to lay down and rest for a while to ensure you are not feeling dizzy or unwell. You will be informed when you may leave.

Put pressure on the wool to stop the bleeding

After the donation is done, there is a refreshing area where you may take some snacks and drink such as Milo and bread to refresh yourself. You are also encouraged to drink more water. There are a few things which you are not encouraged to do after the donation such as taking alcohol drink and lifting heavy items or exercise in the next 24 hours.

The given refreshments

The refreshing area

Your blood bag now will be separated according to the blood groups and will be processed into components within eight hours. It will be taken to the laboratory for testing. Once it is found safe, it will be kept in a special storage. Your blood now is ready to save lives.

 The blood will be sent to Pusat Darah Negara

It was my first time donating blood in TARC. I like their service and the management very much. It is very systematic and also quite strict. If you are not donating or you are not qualified to donate, there is a waiting place outside the hall. You are required to wait outside and not allowed to go into the hall and interrupt the blood donation. Hence, it was quiet in the hall. This is unlike the first donation I had and other blood donation I witnessed because normally, they allow every one to go in and it is very noisy. The best thing about TARC blood donation campaign is there is a lucky draw, and you might get some prizes home!

The gifts 

Be nice to me... I gave blood Today

Lastly, LIVE HEALTHILY and be a responsible donor! 

BY: YEONG YEE SIONG