py (3)
goes by the name veron (english) or wanting (chinese). a definitive leo born august 1, 1984. a solo traveler. loves cats, coffee, sensual music, yummy food and technology. when she's not at her job as an IS developer for the government, she's likely to be out dining, or visiting an interesting art gallery or event.
ever since my virgin blood donation two years ago, i had been telling myself to do it every 3 months (that’s the safe window period between two blood donations). but each time i just kept pushing it off, until the mobile donation drive showed up right at my workplace today! of course, i signed up for it.
i wasn’t able to find a single friend who’s willing to do this with me. all the people i ask simply get squeamish or freak out at the sight of blood. men in general just aren’t as macho as they portray themselves to be, are they? even at the mobile donation drive, at least 70 percent of the donors were ladies! why?
but i can’t blame them. even though this wasn’t my first blood donation, i did get a tad nervous when i reached the place and saw people lying down on makeshift beds with blood pumping out of them. i had half the mind to just run out of the place and not look back!
i went through with it anyway, particularly since i was there with a fellow colleague. he remarked that my blood stream wasn’t flowing too smoothly today. it took a long time to get just a drop of blood out of me for the haemoglobin test. then after my donation, my blood wouldn’t stop flowing. damn!
if you’re interested, here’s a more detailed description of my blood donation experience from the first time. things haven’t really changed much.
all was well in the end. my arm was wrapped up nicely. i specifically asked for a pink gauze with smiley faces!
i also got milo, oreo cookies, some pamphlet and a card informing me of the next safe date when i can give blood again. and oh, i got to keep the cute little red stress ball too. it’s actually a pump that you squeeze during the blood donation process to get blood pumping out more quickly.
men, be brave! give blood! save a life!
external links
Health Sciences Authority: Blood Donation
also in this series
Posted by Veron ·
Uncategorized category ·
3,669 viewspossibly related posts
like this post?
Send this post to a friend
Print this post
RSS feed for comments on this post
Subscribe to my blog RSS feed
Haha, real man only bleed in battlegrounds! View all comments by B
I’m sure, former commando. View all comments by Veron
Kee kee kee… Urgh… blood… *faint* View all comments by Miccheng
wow cool!
you actually get 2 packets of blood free for donating blood! =P View all comments by chillycraps
This post reminds me that when my state of health improves, I could consider donating blood like I had used to be.
I can say that donating blood is a precious gift. Singapore’s pretty strict with the blood donating process and one has to be healthy to donate.
Hey, I didn’t know they have such cute gauze. :) View all comments by py
mmm blood donation drive…
cute pinkish gauze :) View all comments by xinyun
Miccheng: Argh!
chillycraps: Haha that’s cute.
py: I think that’s not limited to Singapore!
xinyun: Very cute. My friend actually thought it was a fashion thing until I told him it’s a gauze! View all comments by Veron
will they still pumped my blood hella outta me even though i fainted during the donation process? View all comments by Jayson
I donated blood a few times, so I can really understand why people dislike donating blood. It is the needles they’re scared of =)
At least for me, I overcame my needle-phobia back in JC - I’ll do anything for Milo! Mwahahaha! In fact, I had to face catheters quite a few times during my NS, since we had to learn how to do IV drips.
Some advise: go for the blood donation at least 1 hour after the start of the donation drive. The first few needle pokes of the day aren’t always smooth, so you might want to let the ladies there practice their poking on a few victims before you go. Though that didn’t help my friend much because she got quite a big haematoma from a “holland” needle View all comments by pkchukiss
Jayson: They would probably help squeeze the little pump in your hand while you’re lying there unconscious. Hahaha that image is hilarious!
pkchukiss: Wow, you must like Milo a lot!
Now that’s some practical advice! Thanks! View all comments by Veron
I guess I’ve put off blood donation for too long. I remembered a fren telling me to give blood. Is both good for myself and society.
Time to find my friend and go together (I rather not go alone! =P) View all comments by Jzin
Good for you! I have renewed hope in men!
Yeah, I find that having a companion to do this with helps a lot. It keeps you from feeling nervous. View all comments by Veron
no wonder see so many ppl with plaster on their arms today View all comments by tyc76
In Malaysia, they served you Nasi Lemak, Milo/Coffee and an Apple after they suck your blood View all comments by Ahh.. Chewww!
i havn’t donated blood since 2004, ever since i started going to india.. each time u go, it’s like 12-18 mths u cannot donate blood. View all comments by jkaiser
Next time jio me along la! I recently got my 10year ban on blood donation lifted. So I am looking forward to sharing some blood. View all comments by arzhou (adrian)
Jayson:
Answer is No. Fainting during donation is considered an adverse reaction. Your life is at risk here and the donation will be terminated immediately.
A doctor will assess your condition and either give you a temp deferrment or completely ban you from blood donation for the rest of your life. View all comments by Kevin
pkchukiss:
The success of a blood donation depends on the donor too. In cases of blood donation at JC, most of the students there would be first time donor…
Most first timer will feel nervous during the process. Together with the feeling of anxiety, the donor’s blood vessel is more likely to constricts and becomes smaller. This makes it more difficult for the Phlebotomist to perform a venipuncture. View all comments by Kevin
My sister used to be a regular donor (every three months) until one day she fainted after a donation. Scared the hell out of everybody and the medics (AND our mum) banned her from blood donating. It was scary, so if you are experiencing low blood pressure (like my sister), don’t donate. :) View all comments by Pei Shan
tyc76: Yeah. It ain’t a fashion thing.
Ahh.. Chewww!: Nasi Lemak sure sounds more nutritious than Oreo cookies.
jkaiser: I never knew you’ve been going to India!
arzhou (adrian): What’s with the 10-year ban?
Kevin: Thanks for clarifying!
Pei Shan: Actually I have low blood pressure too. Before each blood donation, there is a doctor on-site to assess whether your blood pressure to safe for donating blood. View all comments by Veron
Do take more care then. :) Initially my sister was given the green light, but apparently after the donation her BP went too low and she fainted on her way out.
Tried to get my guy friends go donation with me but my female friends went instead. :p View all comments by Pei Shan
Wa you so “On” type ah?
mayb you next time try jio me & mayb i may consider haha View all comments by Chan ShiJie
be notified of new comments through email without commenting.