The glorious moment of sharing yourself

Do you want to be an organ donor? Most people I asked answered, “yes,” with the premise of donating their organ when they die. Corneal transplant seems to be at the top of mind of some Twitter users because of the cornea donation of AJ Perez.

There were also those who said they would not think twice if a loved one needed an organ. Naturally, there were some who were scared of dying if they donated an organ, and there was a good number who were open to organ donation, but wanted to know how.

“Blood is an organ, it is not just fluid,” said Dr. Nona dela Fuente-Legaspi, director of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC). Medical experts have different opinions. But clearly, blood donation saves lives.

The good thing about blood, we don’t have to be dead before we are able to donate. I’ve never heard of anyone dying from blood donation. While the pain, or shall we say, discomfort, is nothing compared even to a minor operation, not even an incision. It takes only about 15 minutes. And it’s like having a coffee break.

I first donated blood back in 2004. I forgot about it until recently when I was invited by Veterans Memorial Medical Hospital. They found my name in their blood donor records and asked me to speak paying tribute to Blood Galloners. These are individuals who have bled 16 times.

When a friend’s friend’s mother needed blood, I didn’t know the patient personally. I was asked if I wanted to donate and went without any hesitation.

I didn’t think the needle would be that big, about two inches. The medical technologist tied a rubber band around my arm and handed me a stress ball to grip. My hand started to feel numb. I looked away as the needle was about to be inserted. There was a sharp pain upon entry of the needle, but it lasted very briefly. I wasn’t sure if I should release my grip on the ball, or clench it.

I lost count of the times I donated blood, and each time is always like the first. Anxious. Only now, I have learned how not to panic by inhaling and exhaling slowly. It works. I can even watch the entire process.

I don’t need anyone to join me when I donate blood. Such as the time I walked in a campus that had an ongoing bloodletting drive. However, I do request for a good bleeder.

Fear is a major reason why people think twice about blood donation. It’s more like the fear of the unknown, and after the first time, you already know what to expect. It is not so bad.

Good news is there is enough supply of blood, even at the peak of dengue a few months ago, according to Red Cross. The bad news is there are a number of reported cases of HIV- and Hepa B- infected blood. Even in VMMC’s own blood bank, they noted that there was a rise in infected blood. From 0-3 HIV infected blood last year, there were 7-8 cases this year, according to Dr. Manuel Barnes, acting head of the Department of Pathology.

Voluntary vs. replacement blood donation spells the difference, said Dr. Manuel Barnes.

A voluntary blood donor discloses important details about his medical history, whereas, some replacement blood donors hide information being they are paid to donate. In the ’90s, commercial blood banks have been banned, but because of replacement blood donation, the sale of blood still persists.

Screening the blood does guarantee that blood is free from infection. Blood is screened. But there exists a residual risk wherein upon screening, blood may be positive of a virus, but is not detected.

This gives us more reason to donate blood voluntarily to bring down the chances of transfusing infected blood.

I donate anywhere — in bloodletting activities conducted by the Philippine Red Cross for its convenience, or in public and private hospitals. But we need to be more deliberate in giving blood and make time for it like visiting your dentist.

Aside from Red Cross, government hospitals like VMMC have their own blood banks. The recipients of blood at the VMMC are the veterans. Even the processing of blood is free. I urge you to consider donating blood for our veterans.

In most blood-letting activities I’ve seen, the biggest contingent is always the military.

Count the number of lives they’ve saved, not only in the field, but also those in the hospitals. Let’s show our appreciation by giving back to our soldiers.

You may get in touch with VMMC at 927-6425.

Giving blood solidifies our connection to one another.

My blood ends up with another person. Another person’s blood ends up with someone somewhere. It’s a never-ending chain of life.

And it all starts with an anxious moment — that glorious moment of sharing yourself.

(E-mail me at [email protected]

twitter: @bernadette_ABS.)