Giving Blood Save Life Day-16 October 2008

Today is blood donation day at my department. As usual, I will do my part and save lifes. Haha.. Not so noble la.

The mobile drive starts from 10am to 4pm. I went up at 10:30pm and did my part to donate. But before that we have to fill up the list at the reception. We will be given a list of questionaire and declaration to ensure that we understand and responsible for any future dispute. Haha..

Anyway, they also allowed me to take them as I am the regular donors.

After filling the questionaire, we need to register using our NRIC or Work Permit for record purposes. Then we will measured our temperature and blood pressure. After which we have iron test before we are allowed to donate.

Before the inserting the needle to draw our blood, we need to be questioned for our name and IC number to ensure we are in a stable mind. They will then pass you one card indicate the next donation date and normally will issue a packet of Iron tablets for replenished the lost iron. But I will reject as I do not need them.

Then they will inject the antiseptic so that we will not feel pain during the drawing process. As my veins were tiny and located at the side of my elbow, bruises will appear after all the donation I done before. The nurses will have a hard time locate the veins.

Initially, the nurse attending me was about to give up. But I insisted that another nurse to try. Luckily I insisted and she finally located the position and the drawing was successful. The HR Staff took a picture of me. Wonder when and where will they paste those pictures they took. Anyway, doing this is not because I wanted to appear in any magazine or what. Just want to do a good deed.

After the packet was filled, they will remove the needle and samples of my blood was taken. I did feel pain as the antiseptic was not enough for this. Anyway, I already prepared and was feeling ok after that.

But I was very naughty, I took total 4 pumpkins stress balls and later came up to take 2 more. I then pass three to my best colleagues in my department. Cute things are meant to be shared. They let me do that is all cause I am their regular donors.

But what I get in the end is pain elbows. But that is a price I paid to do this small deed. I used to it. So long as I am able to donate blood today, whatever the pain, I will bear.