ESL Blogs

“Let’s do it! I’m so ready, in spite the fact that I heard it’s a bit painful, and I know I can manage to do it” –my encouraging words for myself that morning.

12:01 pm, I forgot that I haven’t eaten yet, but this particular event scheduled today has no intention to move in favor of my grouchy stomach, I remember I haven’t taken my supper as well. What’s going on with me? I’m packing my things, my notebook and a bottle of water. Right! I have a bottle of water; this could be enough for now, to suffice this crying abdomen. We must leave now, better be going, I made a move to stand and walk my way joining the flock of people stayed outside the villa who supposed to fulfill a great advocacy like me, I believe so. :D

“Alright, I’m done counting participants, I think we are all complete.” the Coordinator said. I headed forth to the first waiting shuttle, I decided to sit on the middle area of that vehicle and wait for someone to sit beside me,

“I hope, the person is a woman, and a friend”, I said to myself. Fortunately, Betchay came, she’s my friend, she sat beside me and ask me if I’m nervous, I expressed my disagreement and smile,

 “First time?” she asked afterward, I answered “Yes”.

“Have you eaten?” she asked with tone of concern,

“To be honest, not yet”, I said while giggling.

The Coordinator is starting to check all passengers if we are all settled down, relax and comfortable. He’s holding a one box full of tetra packed juices, and starting to distribute one by one,

“This is bad, every time I close my eyes, I can imagine food… sandwiches!” in the midst of laughter and agony I whispered.

“Don’t worry, the organizer prepared our snacks, like the last time I visited there.” She said with certainty, I relax.

It was a 45 minutes travel time from Sharjah to Dubai, registration is on-going, and there are a lot of people in the area busy signing up. I observed every corner; one big fridge loaded with fruit juices and bottled water, boxes loaded with apples and bananas on the floor. I should commend those Indians fellow donors for the concern and consideration given to us during that time, we know that they came from a different group but extended their fruits to each one of us Filipino donors.

“Please fall in line if you’re done with your registration forms”, the Coordinator said.

I followed Betchay, we set foot on the second row, my mind reminds me of something, I read from a speech by Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon said “Based on WHO’s (World Health Organization) statistics, there is approximately a need for blood transfusion every second, around 92 Million blood donations are collected annually from all types of blood.” Still, the numbers aren’t sufficient to sustain the world’s need.

Sitting at the front of that Ms. Doctor, she held my arm as extracted a blood specimen, got my pulse and checked my blood pressure. All was perfect. I’m pretty normal and healthy based on the results, BUT Ms. Doctor asked me about my weight, oops, I said I don’t know, she guided me to one area where the weighing scale is situated, my heart has been pounding that time, how forgetful I may get, I should’ve done this last night. The weighing scale showed the result, it was so UNFORTUNATE and a real DISAPPOINTMENT, I weighed 47 kilos. I’m disqualified; 50 kilos body weight is the minimum standard.

Anyway, I should state here that a person who donates blood should be from his/her own free will and receives no payment.

For those who would like to try this and share the same ideals to save lives please read the following facts regarding blood donation.

The benefits of blood donation are health check up, recognition of blood type, hemoglobin level and BP, bone marrow stimulation and it is something that will make you feel good about yourself.

The qualifications of those who would like to donate must be 16-65 years old, with a minimum of 110 lbs (50 kgs) and has a normal hemoglobin, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate on the day of the donation. Things to do before donation, have enough rest and sleep, eat a light meal, no alcohol intake for the past 24 hours and drink plenty of fluids. About 350 to 450cc -7 to 8 % of your total blood volume required same as 350ml mineral water. There are also reasons why you can’t donate like recent surgery, pregnancy, colds, cough, fever, and underweight.

I am not so happy because my dream to be part of this activity stays as a dream, my goal today to be gaining the remaining kilos I need to finally fulfill this dream and becoming a reality.

That’s it EC readers, I would like to encourage you to donate blood, make use of what we have , our free will and idealistic views to make a difference in the lives of other people.

Thanks for reading!