In the Spirit of Christmas

Christmas is coming in another 2+ weeks. People say it's the season of giving, where you get gifts and presents for your loved ones, showing them your care and concern. But have you ever thought of giving to a stranger? I hope you have. I know donations tend to go up around festive seasons, which I think is really nice. However, beyond monetary gifts, have you ever thought of giving something really personal, like your BLOOD? Sad to say, the blood banks tend to suffer a drop in donors during the festive, as everyone gets busy with celebrations, but yet the demand is ever the same or even higher. So I think it's even more critical for people to make the effort to donate blood. If you are squeamish about blood, maybe you can sign up as a bone marrow or organ donor! It's just a prick on your finger to send some blood for testing.

Think some of you know that I'm a regular blood/plasma donor. It started with the first one when I was in JC. You know how the mobile donation drives go round to schools and community centers. It started there and I never turned back since. I'm not rich, so monetary donations are limited but my blood is free (kind of). And hey, it's kind of good for you, donating away some 'old' blood and get your body to make some fresh ones! There's some myth going round that if you start donating blood and don't do it regularly, you will go fat. Bulls***! I stopped for a year cos I had my ears pierced, but I never got any fatter (than I already am). So, don't hesitate. And it's really pretty painless. In SG, be thankful that you get an anesthetic shot before they put in the needle. All you feel is a little ant bite and then 10 minutes later, you can see and feel the warm red blood that you've generously donated. Oh, you get a coupon for drink and snack too! Hee.

I just (literally just) came back from the blood center of a hospital here. My colleague told me about this patient who is suffering from lukemia (blood cancer) and needs an infusion of white blood cells (WBC) due to an infection. So G and I offered to head down and be screened for it. After all, I'm due for my next blood donation.

WBC donation is a little trickier than normal blood donation. It requires the additional stimulation (a drug injection and oral medication the night before donation) of WBCs in your blood stream, so that the physician can collect enough for the patient. Basically during collection, blood comes out of one arm and then gets separated in a machine and the remaining plasma, red blood cells and platets goes back into you through the other arm. It takes a couple of hours and you have to lie with your arms outstretched and unmovable. Yaa.. it sounds kind of tough, but hey... I know my WBCs can make the patient a lot healthier, and I think that's all that matter.

I just passed the oral and physical screening (got to have big enough veins on both arms for the blood collection tubes). Now, just have to wait for the screening results. By tomorrow morning, I will know if I'm eligible to donate to the lukemia patient. Even if not, I will still just go down to the blood center and my whole blood. Hey.. it's Christmas after all!

Donate your blood!