SPH Red Apple Day - Blood Donation Drive

Hello! A call out for blood donors!
You never know how your blood can help save someone - you could have prevent a family from losing their breadwinner, you could have gave someone a new chance of life, you could have .....

I personally have witness the death of 2 leukemia friends and 1 accident.
Just a bag of your blood every 3 monthly can save lives and bring joy!

And now instead of having to go to Outram/ Woodlands blood donation center , there is one near Bishan/Toa Payoh!

SPH blood donation drive back on July 7

What are you waiting for? Come down this Thursday to donate!

SPH Red Apple Day
Dates: Jul 7, 2011
Time: 12pm - 5pm
Venue: SPH News Centre, Auditorium (1000 Toa Payoh North, Level 1, Singapore 318994).
Directions: MAP
Bus number: 13,56,57,59,88,93,157,163

SPH Red Apple Day

Jointly organised by SPH and the Singapore Red Cross Society, the event will be held at the auditorium of the News Centre at Toa Payoh North from 11am to 5pm. As with previous donation drives, the first hour (11am-noon) will be reserved for SPH staff, and the public can head there from noon onwards.

The demand for blood in the Bloodbank is increasing. As it stands, 350 units of blood are needed per day.

And on this special event , Come over to the AsiaOne booth anytime between 12pm - 5pm during the blood donation drive and you will be rewarded with choice of an AsiaOne umbrella or notebook (while stocks last and subject to availability) for you to keep.

Facts on blood donation

• Donating blood should not hurt. A local painkiller is injected before the insertion of the donation needle to minimize any pain during blood donation.
• How much blood will be collected? If you weigh between 45 and 50 kg, 350ml of blood will be taken. If you weigh above 50kg, 450 ml of blood will be taken.
• 8 to 12 per cent of your circulating blood volume is taken during each blood donation. The volume of blood donated will be replenished in 72 hours if you have sufficient fluid intake.
• All blood collection instruments are disposed permanently after each use.
• All blood collections are conducted by qualified & trained staff.
• Blood donations do not cause weight gain.
• It takes only 45 minutes to donate one unit (450ml) of blood. This can save the lives of 3 people.
• Currently, only 30% of donors are women. So ladies, stand up and be counted

There is nothing to fear!
Its like an ant bite!

Is blood donation safe?

Ms Cecilia Tan, director of Singapore Red Cross's Blood Donor Recruitment Programme, addresses some common concerns about blood donation:

How safe is blood donation?

Don't worry, giving blood is safe! The health of every potential donor is carefully assessed by the attending medical staff before a donation. It is not possible to catch any disease by donating blood, as new and sterile disposable needles and blood packs are used for each donor.

Will blood donation weaken our immune system?

Giving blood will not harm your body or weaken your immune system. The average adult has four to five litres of blood. During a donation, only 450 ml of blood is drawn. The donated blood volume will be replaced in just 3 days. With adequate hydration and a balanced diet, red blood cells will be replaced by the body by 10 to 12 weeks.

Donors can give whole blood donations four times a year, at an interval of 12 weeks between each whole blood donation. This recommended time interval is meant to protect the well being of donors.

As for platelet and plasma apheresis donations, donors can give up to 12 times a year (once every 4 weeks). After a platelet apheresis donation, the body replaces its platelets in three to seven days. After a plasma apheresis donation, the body replaces its plasma volume in 72 hours with adequate hydration.

Can women, who lose blood during menstruation, still be regular donors?

Women can donate blood just as regularly as men. However, we advise our female donors to have iron-rich diets and to take the iron supplement that is given to them after every blood donation.

Will one feel faint after donating blood?

Whilst donors normally have a pleasant experience throughout the blood donation process, some may occasionally experience a mild reaction such as dizziness, skin irritation, bruising or fainting. We advise our donors to rest at least five to ten minutes after the removal of needle and take time to enjoy a snack and drink at the refreshment area.

Are there health benefits for regular blood donors?

Being well enough to donate regularly is a sign that the donor is in good health, since his/her blood would have to be free from viruses or other infectious agents.

Should a regular blood donor take more iron, or other supplements, to replace the lost blood?

I would advise potential donors to increase your intake of iron-rich food such as red meat, beans, dark green vegetables, iron-fortified cereals, raisins and prunes two weeks before your donation, and to drink extra fluids the day before and on the day of donation.

Other tips:

• Have a good night's rest before your blood donation and have something light to eat and drink two hours prior to donating blood.
• Avoid fatty food as lipids (fatty materials) that appear in your blood several hours after eating can affect the tests carried out on the blood you have donated.
• Try to wear short sleeved or loose fitting sleeves so as not to cause constriction to the arm when the sleeve is rolled up.
• Relax during the donation, and if you are feeling anxious, let the nurse know and she will help you feel at ease.
• Lastly, do take the iron tablets provided by the blood bank to help your body replenish the blood loss.

For more information on the blood drive
Pop by their facebook link : SPH Apple day 2011