My friend June has leukaemia. She is undergoing chemotherapy, which not only kills the cancerous cells but also the white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin (HB) and platelets (PLT). When her WBC, HB and PLT counts drop below the normal range, she needs a blood transfusion.
Last weekend, however, she and others in her ward could not get transfusions because the stock in the blood bank was at a critical low.
Every year around Lunar New Year, the number of blood donations drop. This year, coupled with the bad weather, donations fell to a dangerously low level. At one point, there was only enough blood in the bank to last 24 hours — when the normal
stock is for 5 days.
An urgent mass media appeal for donations has reaped some results. On Monday, Jane and other cancer patients received their transfusions. But it is still not enough.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Health Sciences Authority said 500 units of blood were needed over the next five days to ensure there was enough stock in view of the long Lunar
New Year holiday.
Many people do not find blood donation easy or convenient. You do not get entertained with songs or death-defying acts before you donate. You do not get a chance to win a car or condominium.
In fact, you have to incur transport costs to get to the blood bank. You have to spend an hour waiting for the blood to drip into the bag. And you have to overcome the fear of having a needle poked into you.
I cannot come up with a convincing pitch about why we should all give blood. If you do, at most you will be given some refreshment afterward. I cannot even show you pictures of patients appealing for blood.
All I can do is to present you with an opportunity to do something purely for charitable reasons. Writing a cheque for charity is easy, as is dialling a 1900 number. Donating blood demands that you give your all, and then some.
There comes a time in everyone’s life when he is challenged to be more than he has been, an unsung hero. Let us show that the spirit of charity is not dead; that some are willing to suffer some inconvenience and discomfort so that others may live.
While we are rushing to stock up on New Year goodies, spring clean and prepare the reunion dinner, spare a thought for those who aren’t able to do so. What would happen if none of us cared enough to spare an hour to do something worthwhile?
Perhaps the blood bank should remain open during the Lunar New Year holiday so that we can donate blood — it would be the best hongbao anyone could give.
This article first appeared in TODAY on 27th January 2006
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