When the first Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented last year, the cooperation between the National Blood Center (PDN) and Brickfields Asia College (BAC), which had been in place for years, had to be postponed.
On April 28, the Blood Donation Mobile Unit from PDN were present yet again at the BAC college compound (Hub) in Petaling Jaya.
Although only 40 people could successfully donate blood, which is half of the usually number of people before the Pandemic, it was an encouraging start after the MCO.
GoodNews met with officer in charge of the mobile unit, Dr. Ateeqah Azman, who said a total of 53 people who attended the mobile session was more than expected, but only 40 managed to donate blood.
“There were 53 donors present today, but only 40 managed to donate blood. The remaining 13 people did not manage to donate due to certain factors.
“We only targeted around 40 people to begin with and god willing 53 showed up, ” she told GoodNews.
Meanwhile, a donor told GoodNews that he welcomed the effort by the mobile unit by PDN and BAC, as it made it easier for the public to donate blood.
Wong Wik Kea, 27, said he had donated blood for the third time and considered donating blood the responsibility of all in order to save the lives of other human beings.
Wong Wik Kea, 27, is determined to continue donating blood
Wong, who hails from Kepong, said donating blood has become a calling after his mother needed donated blood to save her life after undergoing a surgery a few years ago.
As a result, Wong became determined to make donating blood a compulsory responsibility for himself.
“My mother needed 3 bags of blood for the surgery to be successful and that saved her life.
“It is now my turn to do my part for my community. I will surely keep on donating because if someone needs blood like my mom did, this blood could save their life,” he told GoodNews.
First timer Lee Kah Hoong, 19, who hails from Teluk Intan, Perak, said this would mark an experience of her own, but had initially reservations as she assumed the experience would be painful.
Lee Kah Hoong (left), recounted her first experience of donating blood
However, after the session was over, she was relieved that it did not hurt at all.
“At first I thought it was painful, but it wasn’t. However, after donating, I felt a bit dizzy but I am okay. I will continue to donate blood after this, she said enthusiastically.
With the realisation that blood supply is dwindling, student Huey Tng, 20, donated blood for the second time today.
According to the her, donating blood could save the lives of others who are in need.
Huey Tng, accompanied by her grandmother while donating blood today
“There is a need for us to donate blood because we know there is a shortage now. This blood can save lives of those who really need it.”
Meanwhile, when met at the end of today’s session, Dr Ateeqah hoped that the cooperation between PDN and BAC would continue in the future.
She also praised BAC for not disappointing and still managing to gather donors during a Pandemic.
