For the last 6 years I make it a point to donate blood whenever i can. Back home n the Philippines my cousin required blood transfusion after an accident that almost took his life. Most of the blood that saved his life was from donors who selflessly endured the poking pain of the needle and the light headed feeling after to save lives of total strangers. Every since that incident I vowed that I will donate blood at least once a year.
Even here in Ireland I try to live by my word that day. Donating blood here in Ireland is a bit different with what we have in the Philippines. Back home you can walk in to every hospital and just go straight to the Med Tech lab and they can test your blood and extract your donation on the same day. Here in Ireland its a bit complicated. In Ireland you need to check regular donation schedules which is usually held every six months in every county. Upon your first visit they will need to take a sample first to make sure that your blood is free from disease and suitable for transfusion. Of course they also check if the donor is healthy enough to make a donation which something they don't check in the Philippines (the last time donated there at least). After all of that they will send you regular updates by text message or post whether your blood type is insufficient in supply. For me my blood type AB- which is always in demand because it is one of the rare blood type. I make it a point to donate as much as I can because knowing from first hand experience I know how hard it is to get matching blood type for people which desperately in need of transfusion.
I really encourage people to give blood. As for the pain it is all worth it knowing that you saved a life in the process.
http://www.giveblood.ie
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