Queenstown Community Center, Singapore – The first blood donation
drive launched on Aug. 10 by the Members Church of God
International (MCGI) Singapore chapter, in coordination with the
Singapore Red Cross and UNTV, successfully gathered 87 blood
donors.
Based on records from Singapore Red Cross, 112 donors were
screened but only 87 passed the standards. Persons with high
blood
pressure, collapsing veins, iron deficiency, and high hemoglobin
count are not allowed to donate blood.
In an interview, UNTV correspondent Lorra Jane Cruz said that the
donors expressed willingness to help save lives in their own
little way. The event was held at the Queenstown Community Center
(formerly known as Alexandra Community Club/Center) at
Commonwealth Avenue.
A 32-year-old Malaysian and Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR)
woman said that this was the first time she donated blood here in
Asia. She started to donate blood only last year. After learning
of the event from the monthly newsletter sent by Health Sciences
Authority (HSA), she was persuaded by a friend to join this kind
of humanitarian activity.
"I am more than 77th time donor. A Champion donor!" said Simon Ho
Wee Juang, a Singaporean. He said happily that he really loves to
donate blood for he can help others and improve his blood
circulation as well.
"People say that if you donate one packet, it can help three more
people," said Tan Sew Yen, a 56-year-old Singaporean woman who was
also one of the successful donors.
Jonathan Veluz, a 35-year-old Filipino, said that this is his 4th
time donating blood and his first time outside the Philippines. He
added that he wanted to extend the act of great human kindness by
donating blood even if he is out of his own country.
Luz Calibo, a 30-year-old woman who was donating for the first
time, expressed her joy saying, "I realized that not all people
are eligible to donate blood, so I'm happy I can help save other
peoples' lives by being a successful donor." She hopes that this
will be a regular activity to inspire others to donate blood and
help those who are in need of it.
Refreshments and free Bibles from MCGI Singapore chapter,
souvenirs and thank you cards from Singapore Red Cross, and UNTV
T-shirts were given to all the participants as a token of
appreciation for helping them achieve the objective of this
significant project.
This charitable event ended at 6 in the evening. The organizers of
the event are planning to hold another blood donation drive in the
months to come.