Donating blood: It’s not as difficult as it seems

Seeing blood in real life is not easy. Most of my friends, other than my doctor friends, grimace at the very thought.

So what does it feel like walking into a hospital and saying: “I am a volunteer. I want to donate blood”? Pretty normal.
I chose a day when I had some time on my hands. My instinct told me that parking was going to be difficult. I wish the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) website had told me that for blood donors parking was free. Well, I finally found my way and was met by very polite and friendly people at the blood bank.
They asked me for my CPR card and asked me to fill in a form. Next step, my blood group was tested. Although I had carried a previous hospital report, which stated my blood group, they rechecked it. A+, they confirmed.
In a few minutes a doctor checked my blood pressure. I gave all the right answers – no, I am not on medication, I have had no serious illness, yes, I have given blood in the past, my weight is XXXX (that was just for the doctor’s ears) and yes, I had breakfast an hour ago, and so on, and so forth.
I was then ushered into a room where there were other lady donors. The men’s and women’s rooms are, as I had expected, separate.
A very friendly senior technician then came in to set up the equipment and offered me some juice. I took her offer. Who can refuse, especially on a hot and sunny morning?
After making me very comfortable, very gently, the technician, asked me to take a deep breath, and that was it. In fact now, as I look down on my arm, there is just a tiny red puncture.
What were my emotions when I saw my blood flowing down through a tube into a bag? Nothing. Somehow you cannot picture your body with lots of blood. But it is there. There is a lot. Indeed 70 per cent of your body is made up of liquid. And your body does not even blink when it loses 450ml of its blood. Mine did not.
Did I say that I was in SMC for the very first time? I certainly did not feel like it. They all seemed like old friends. While the blood flowed we chatted and later I was offered food and drink.
 By the time I left I felt full. I drove to work at Isa Town, finished my story, shopped for groceries, drove back home and cooked dinner.
YES, I am perfectly fine and normal.
SO friends, do not hesitate to donate blood. If you can, make it a habit after all you can give blood only once in three months.
At the blood bank, I met somebody who was donating his blood platelets, a two-hour procedure. And he does that every month. His father used to do it before him.
It is the easiest way to give back something to the community especially as donating blood in an authorised blood bank does not harm you in anyway.
Moreover, tests worth BD70 are conducted before your blood is finally released and if the doctors do detect any problem in you the hospital will refer you to a specialist.
I am feeling pampered already.

By Anasuya Kesavan
anasuyak7@gmail.com