Health and Society

By: ShareLer, YiZhen, WeiLin & WangLing

In every three seconds, someone needs blood urgently. Those of us blessed in good health can share it through donating blood – to enable a premature baby to live, a burn victim to recover, a cancer patient to be treated, an accident victim to survive, or a transplant candidate to have a life-giving surgery.



The Need For More Blood Donors
In Singapore, only 4 in 100 people are eligible to donate blood. With an aging population and more sophisticated medical procedures, the demand of blood is increasing. Blood has to be replenished frequently as it has a short shelf life of only a few days.

Every hour of the day, 15 units of blood are used in Singapore. A whopping 90,000 units are needed in a year, just to meet the transfusion needs of patients in Singapore.


What can be donated?

1. Whole blood
The amount of blood drawn, varying from 250ml to 550ml, depends on the mass of the donors. It is stored in a bag that together with sodium citrate, phosphatean and dextrose. This combination prevents the blood from clotting and preserves it during storage.

~ Fun Facts!~ Our body contains 5.5 litres of blood!



2. Blood components
During apheresis, machines called blood cell separators are used to draw blood from the donor and the plasma, platelets and red blood cells are extracted. The remaining blood will be returned to the donor.

(i) Plateletpheresis
- Extraction of platelets
- Duration of donation: 60-90 mins
- Platelets can be used to treat leukaemia patients




Fig. 1 Platelets


(ii)Plasmapheresis
- Extraction of Plasma
- Duration of donation: 45mins





Fig.2 Plasma



The Blood Donation Process
Keen to know how blood donation works? All in just 5 easy steps…

1. Registration
Identity proof has to be presented, and personal particulars are recorded down. Donors are also requested to fill in a health questionnaire.

2. Medical Screening
Donors are inquired for their social and medical history, to ensure that they are fit for the donation. Their mass, pulse, blood pressure and body temperature will be taken down.

3. Blood Test
The blood haemoglobin level will be checked.

4. Blood Donation
The arm of the donor will be disinfected, following the application of a painkiller. After which, the blood can be drawn out. For hygiene purposes, new, sterile disposable needles and blood packs are used for each donor.

5. Refreshments
The donor will be allowed a short rest, and some light snacks, before resuming with normal lifestyle activities.

~Fun Facts!~ Donating blood will neither jeopardise the body nor weaken the immune system. The volume of the blood donated will be quickly replenish within 3 days.


A Helping Hand

Blood contains many life-saving components that can help to treat different illnesses and injuries. For many people, blood donors are their life-line.

You can donate blood if you:
- Are between 16-60 years old
- Weigh at least 45 kg
- Are generally in good health
- Have not had any symptoms of infection for at least 1 week (e.g. sore throat, cough. runny nose, diarrhea)
- Have not had a fever in the last 3 weeks


Autologous Blood Transfusion

You can choose to donate blood for your own use beforehand, if you are to undergo a surgery in the future.
In order to make a donation for yourself, you should:
- Weigh at least 25kg;
- Be less than 65 years old (if your are under 18, parental consent is required);
- Not have any serious medical conditions such as heart/lung diseases or epilepsy;
- Have a haemoglobin level of at least 11g/dl before the donation; and
- Have surface arm veins big enough to accommodate venous access.


Where To Go?
Bloodbank@HSA is Located at:

Blood Services Group
Health Sciences Authority (opposite Outram Park MRT Station)
11 Outram Road
Singapore 169078

Bus Services available:
33, 63, 75, 605, 851, 970

Hotlines:
Bloodbank Registration Counter Tel: 6213 0626
Post Donation Call Back Line (24 hr Service) Tel: 1800 - 226 3320
Red Cross Blood Donor Recruitment Programme Tel: 6220 0183


More About Blood
Visit this website to enhance your knowledge about blood! Fun games, quizzes and jokes waiting for you! What's more, you get to go on a virtual blood donation session and learn EVEN MORE about it!!




Click on Billy Blood Drop!!

Or, If you wish to visit the virtual blood donation session, click here:
http://www.blood.co.uk/virtualsession/index.htm
It's educational, really!

Have FUN! :D And ENJOY !


Special Thanks

http://www.streetdirectory.com/classifieds/singapore/events_and_activities/health_and_medical_events/blood_donation_drive_health_sciences_authority/

http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/blood_donation/why_donate.html

http://www.hofstra.edu/StudentAffairs/blood/blood_why.html

http://www.cks.nhs.uk/print_preview?pageid=363330000&pagepath=/patient_information_leaflet/blood_donation/view_as_a_leaflet&rootcontainerelement=nhsd_topicroot&viewtype=full

http://www.knowledgebase-script.com/demo/article-335.html

http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/blood_donation/what_to_donate/apheresis.html

http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/blood_donation/what_to_donate/whats_needed_now.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_donation

http://www.wadsworth.org/chemheme/heme/microscope/pix/platelets_nw.jpg

http://www.wadsworth.org/chemheme/heme/microscope/pix/plasmacell_nw.jpg


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