During the eve of Chinese New Year, a group of us went for blood donation. We were way over due since the last donation because of our trip to India. But the wait is worthwhile as a friend received two sms-es from the blood bank appealing for blood. It’s a known fact that festive seasons are more accident prone, as there are those who drink and drive. Other than these accident victims, there are patients with severe anemia and those undergoing major surgeries. Even a newborn baby might need some blood. Every hour of the day, 15 units of blood are used in Singapore. Health Science Authority (HSA) needs to collect at least 350 units a day, as a whopping 90,000 units are needed in a year, just to meet the transfusion needs of patients in Singapore.
While we were in the waiting room, a quick glance reveals that most who came today are foreigners. It was also likewise the other time when came. I can’t help wondering why there aren’t more Singaporeans coming forward for blood donation. We live in an affluent society but it seems like we do not have enough idea of giving back to society? To many, doing charity means donating money or material goods, but one do not need to have a cent to donate blood. In fact, it is a act of possibly immeasurable kindness – the gift of life. A single blood donation can help at least three different patients! So, if you…
1. Are between 16 and 60 years old;
2. Weigh at least 45 kg;
3. Have a haemoglobin (iron) level of at least 12.5 g/dl (which will be checked at HSA for free before actual donation);
4. Are in generally good health;
5. Have not had any symptoms of infection for at least 1 week (e.g. sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhea); and
6. Have not had a fever in the last 3 weeks…
please come along, and ask your friends to join in as well. 🙂
Do you know: Blood donations do not cause any weight gain. Our bodies only replace the blood donated — they do not overcompensate and produce excess blood or fat. We need more ladies to come forward as blood donors — as currently, only 30% of donors are women. For more info, please see the HSA website
Personal observation: To increase or replenish your iron level before or after blood donation, one can drink organic blackstrap molasses from Biogreen. It is rich in iron, calcium, potassium and other trace minerals. It can help to increase blood count, warm up bodies and also reduce menstrual problems. Avoid caffeine drink or food for at least a few days before donation as they tend to affect your haemoglobin level.
Amazing Buddhist fact: The accounts of fulfillment of Perfections by the Bodhisattva (before he became Shakyamuni Buddha) as mentioned in the 550 Jataka stories and in the stories of Cariya-Pitaka are just a few examples out of the countless experiences which he had during the long period of four asankhyeyya and a hundred thousand aeons…
“…the gift of his (the Buddha) ears, nose, etc., in order to obtain the spiritual faculties of faith, etc.; the gift of his eyes in order to obtain the universal eye; the gift of his flesh and blood with the thought: “May my body be the means of life for all the world! May it bring welfare and happiness to all beings at all times, even on occasions of merely seeing, hearing, recollecting, or ministering to me!” And he gives the gift of his head in order to become supreme in all the world.”
Source: http://tinyurl.com/ylfggc4
Related article:
https://moonpointer.com/new/2009/08/just-a-little-blood