70% More Blood Donation After HSA’s Appeal But It’s Still Not Enough

On 15 Feb 2020, the Singapore Red Cross appealed for more blood donation from Singaporeans, saying that the blood bank is running out of blood.

And back then, every media outlet including us called for Singaporeans to embrace their inner hero and come forward to donate.

And Guess What? It Worked

On 15 Feb 2020, the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore (HSA) said that they’ve observed a 70% increase in the blood donated even with the COVID-19 outbreak lingering in people’s mind.

It has collected 1,900 “whole blood” donations, a whole lot more than what they usually manage to collect.

Come on, Singaporeans, let us give ourselves a round of applause.

With this, the national blood stocks have been brought above six days’ supply.

Or did we?

More Blood Needed

Despite the overwhelming response from Singaporeans and residents living in Singapore (so proud of us), HSA says more blood is needed.

Over the next two to four weeks, they need:

• 1,500 group O blood donors
• 750 group A donors
• 750 group B donors

This, they say, will help return blood stocks to healthy levels.

Short Shelf Life For Blood

Blood has a short shelf life of six weeks, HSA clarify.

This means that in order to keep Singapore’s national blood stocks above six days (in case of emergencies which requires blood transfusions), people have to donate regularly.

In other words, it’s not a fire-and-forget thingy lah. Wish my dad knew that.

HSA is hoping that Singaporeans can make an appointment whenever they are due for an appointment.

After each blood donation, you’ll have to wait for 12 weeks before you can donate again.

How The Blood Donation Works:

My pretty colleague has written a very comprehensive article on how the blood donation process is like:

Before the Blood Donation:

Make sure that you have a good night’s rest the day before you decide to donate, and on the day itself, ensure that you eat a light meal and drink lots of water.

Bring:

You should bring an official photo identity document with your local residential address written on it. It can be your passport, IC, driver’s license, donor card, etc.

If you’re 16 or 17 years old, you need to bring a signed parental consent form.

The Blood Donation Process Itself:

It is pretty simple. You just have to follow these six steps and you’ll be done in approximately 45 minutes.

1. Form filling (5 minutes)
2. Registration (5 minutes)
3. Haemoglobin check (5 minutes)
4. Medical screening (10 to 15 minutes)
5. Blood donation (10 to 15 minutes)
6. Rest and refreshment (15 minutes)

And don’t worry about catching Covid-19 there. Red Cross is extremely stringent about taking precautions at the venues.

Here’s where you can go to donate your blood and save lives.