Give back to society via blood donation to help save lives. The Singapore Red Cross Society is an organisation that organises blood donation drives in Singapore.
Considering the enhanced measures in place to manage the new and rising Covid-19 community cases in Singapore, it has become exceedingly difficult to find avenues to volunteer. In a small society like Singapore, volunteering by the public makes a huge difference in the lives of beneficiaries.
Knowing that it is difficult to volunteer at this stage, IASG decided to explore various options through which we could give back to the community. Having recently become an official partner of the Singapore Red Cross, we reached out to them to find out a little more about blood donations, and here are some interesting facts that we found out!
5 Quick Facts about Donating Blood in Singapore
- The largest percentage of donated blood (54%) is utilised for General Surgery in Singapore.
- In 2020, Singapore only had 72,130 blood donors, which amounts to a startling 1.78% of the population.
- The most commonly donated blood in Singapore is O+ (43.1% of total donors), and the least commonly donated blood is B- (0.3% of total donors).
- During a donation of blood, only 350ml to 450ml of blood will be collected – this is only about 8-12% of your total blood volume.
- If you are vaccinated against Covid-19, you can still donate blood in Singapore, as long as you follow the new guidelines!
7 Benefits of Blood Donation
Blood donation offers several benefits, both for the recipients of the donated blood and for the donors themselves. Here are some key benefits of blood donation:
- Saving lives: Blood donation is a selfless act that helps save lives. Donated blood is used in various medical procedures, surgeries, and emergency situations, providing a critical lifeline for individuals suffering from severe injuries, medical conditions, or undergoing treatments like chemotherapy.
- Supplying essential blood components: Blood is composed of various components, including red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. By donating blood, you contribute to maintaining an adequate supply of these crucial components, which are necessary for treating patients with blood disorders, anemia, and other conditions.
- Supporting patients with chronic illnesses: Many individuals with chronic diseases like thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, and hemophilia require regular blood transfusions to manage their condition. By donating blood, you directly contribute to improving their quality of life and supporting their ongoing treatment.
- Health screening: Prior to each blood donation, donors undergo a health screening process. This includes checking vital signs, testing for infectious diseases, and assessing hemoglobin levels. These screenings can help identify underlying health issues or abnormalities, allowing donors to become aware of potential health concerns and seek further medical advice.
- Stimulation of blood cell production: Blood donation stimulates the body to replenish the donated blood, prompting the production of new blood cells. This process helps maintain the overall health of the donor’s cardiovascular system, including the bone marrow and blood vessels.
- Reducing the risk of certain health conditions: Regular blood donation has been associated with a reduced risk of certain health conditions. For example, studies suggest that blood donors may have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. This is believed to be due to the decrease in blood viscosity resulting from regular blood donation.
- Psychological benefits: Donating blood can provide donors with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, knowing they have made a positive impact on someone’s life. It can also foster a sense of community involvement and altruism, contributing to enhanced mental well-being.
What To Expect
Blood donation is quick, extremely safe and regulated, and relatively painless. It does not cost a donor anything but their time to make an appointment and head down to their nearest blood bank. The presence of the Covid-19 virus does not mitigate the need for blood, especially knowing that a majority of donated blood goes towards General Surgery. Blood donors are truly the unsung heroes of most surgical procedures in Singapore, as many surgical procedures require blood bags to ensure the wellbeing of the patient.
Most first-time donors do experience some anxiety and doubt over donating, and those who have donated blood before usually get too busy to be regular donors. As such, IASG aims to encourage volunteering among our staff to be regular blood donors by allowing them some time off during the week to head down to the Dhoby Ghaut blood bank near our office and donate!
We encourage our clients, partners and friends to also look into being regular donors. Not only will it keep up your drive to live a healthier lifestyle (as it is encouraged to eat nutrient-dense and iron-rich foods leading up to the donation), but you will also be helping save a life and ensure that Singapore’s blood resources never run dry! Find out where you can donate blood here.
