In May 2020, the Health Ministry has called on Malaysians to donate blood as the country’s blood bank stock was low as blood donation and collection efforts were nearly halved due to the movement control order (MCO).
Why our blood supply has to be adequate?
Blood is needed to save lives in times of emergencies such as accidents and to sustain the lives of those with medical conditions.
Nothing is a more precious than gifting your life to someone in liquid form.
Give the gift of life by donating blood 💕
So, I decided to donate blood at University of Malaya Medical Center (UMMC).
As someone who is very scared of needles, it was a smooth process.
Firstly, head to the Department of Transfusion Medicine at UMMC. Yes, you may walk-in. No appointment needed. There will be a form that you need to fill in if you have never donate blood there. Fill in the form and you will be called by a nurse to check your type of blood and your eligibility to donate blood according with the form that you filled in previously.
If you passed, you will move to another room to check your blood pressure, weight and height.
Then, you can start donate blood! The nurses decide the quantity of your blood that can be donated.
I donated 350 ml of my blood!
After you completed the process, they will let you rest. They will also provide you food and beverages to help you gain energy.
Okay let's focus on the BLOOD DONOR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
1) Must be well and healthy
2) Age :
(a) First time donor : 18-60 years old(b) Regular donor : 18-65 years old
3) Weight : Must be at least 45kg
4) Had a minimum sleep of 5 hours.
5) Had a meal before blood donation.
Number 4 and 5 are very important as it will determine your side effects during and after donating blood. Usual side effects would be dizziness. If you did not take a meal before blood donation, you will feel very dizzy. If you did not sleep for 5 hours before donating, the dizziness can extend to few days.
6) No medical illness
7) Not involved in any high risk activities such as :-
- Same gender sex (homosexual)
- Bisexual
- Had sex with commercial sex worker
- Change in sexual partner
- Took intravenous drug
- A sexual partner of any of the above
8) For female donors, you cannot donate blood if you are pregnant, on your period and breastfeeding.
Your last menstrual period must be more than 3 days ago.
9) Your last blood donation must be 3 months ago.
I am looking forward to donate again in December!
You don't need to be doctor to save lives. Just donate blood!
This is me with my lovely friends!
I told them I am glad that they are willing to donate blood with me and safe to say, they will definitely save my life one day when I need them <3
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