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My Second Blood Donation

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By Veron Ang

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.

My bandaged arm after my blood donation

All was well in the end. My arm was wrapped up nicely. I specifically asked for a pink gauze with smiley faces!

Things I got after my blood donation

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!

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About the Editor

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

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Responses Leave a comment

B
3 comments

Haha, real man only bleed in battlegrounds!
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 12:39 am
Veron
3438 comments

I’m sure, former commando.
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 12:43 am
Miccheng
90 comments

Kee kee kee… Urgh… blood… *faint*
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 1:04 am
chillycraps
42 comments

wow cool!
you actually get 2 packets of blood free for donating blood! =P
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 6:33 am
py
183 comments

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. :)
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 7:25 am
xinyun
10 comments

mmm blood donation drive…
cute pinkish gauze :)
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 9:29 am
Veron
3438 comments

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!
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 9:52 am
Jayson
44 comments

will they still pumped my blood hella outta me even though i fainted during the donation process?
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 10:33 am
pkchukiss
82 comments

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
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 11:42 am
Veron
3438 comments

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!
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.
Now that’s some practical advice! Thanks!
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Jzin
26 comments

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)
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Veron
3438 comments

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.
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 8:27 pm
tyc76
6 comments

no wonder see so many ppl with plaster on their arms today
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Ahh.. Chewww!
1 comment

In Malaysia, they served you Nasi Lemak, Milo/Coffee and an Apple after they suck your blood
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 10:02 pm
jkaiser
17 comments

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.
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 10:18 pm
arzhou (adrian)
6 comments

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.
Reply
Posted September 19, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Kevin
3 comments

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.
Reply
Posted September 20, 2007 at 7:47 am
Kevin
3 comments

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.
Reply
Posted September 20, 2007 at 7:53 am
Pei Shan
2 comments

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. :)
Reply
Posted September 20, 2007 at 8:43 am
Veron
3438 comments

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.
Reply
Posted September 20, 2007 at 11:59 am