The Liquid Life blood donation drive was held by our very own MDIS Student Council for the very first time. A number of Sparks in their signature maroon t-shirts were stationed within the halls to be the familiar faces, leading the prospective donors to the correct stations, as well as to comfort those who were donating for the first time.
By 10AM on Thursday, 5th March 2009, donors were already trickling in, ready to save lives, and by 12noon, there was a steady flow of people walking in and registering. The response for the event was so warm, that the event had to be extended by more than half an hour before the last blood donor was allowed to get off the bed for refreshments. Even after forms were used up, there were still walk-ins who had to sadly be turned down due to the high traffic.
The donors, who were mainly MDIS students were treated to a host of blockbuster movies shown on the large screen at the SAMTAS hall, where the drive was held.
When walking into the SAMTAS hall, the first station that every potential donor would have to encounter would be: STATION 1: “FORM-FILLING”
Here, donors would have to fill up a short form that would give the Red Cross a record of their donations. This would usually take about 3 to 5 minutes.
Once done, the donors would move on to the next station:
STATION 2: “REGISTRATION”
The donors would queue up to get their names keyed into the computer, where all information given is stored. The process of getting their names keyed in would take approximately 4 to 5 minutes, however queue-time might differ.
After registration, the donors would have to go for: STATION 3: “MEDICAL CHECK UP”
It is here that a few donors would have to drop out or for-go donation. Certain guidelines such as staying in the UK between 1989 and 1994, or getting the flu or common cold within the last week, would cease a donor’s option to move on to the next station. This would usually take at least 7 - 10 minutes to determine.
However, the majority who do make it through the medical check-up would now have one more test to go at: STATION 4: “THE BLOOD TEST”
The blood is tested for its iron content. Not enough iron content, and the blood tested would float, if it sinks, you’re ready to save lives! This blood test takes a mere 2 minutes to determine!
Once you’ve passed the past 4 stations, you move on to:
STATION 5: “DONATING YOUR BLOOD”
Once the comfortable bed is ready for you, the Red Cross staff would check for your veins and check your blood pressure. They would then insert a needle into your vein (you will only feel a pin prick!) and all you have to do is lay back and watch the movie screened right in front of you. A red stress ball is given to you to squeeze gently so that the blood flow is quicker and smoother. The staff would give you iron tablets that will help you regain the blood you’ve donated, and give you diet tips on getting iron back into your body. The whole process takes about 15 – 30minutes.
You’ve saved 3 lives with one pint of blood! Now you can reward yourself at the: STATION 6: “THE REFRESHMENT CORNER”
You would receive a certificate for your donation, a pin with your blood group on it, a goody bag (specially brought to you by the Sparks), refreshments, and a red leaf to fill in your thoughts and comments to be added to our Sparks tree.
Once you’re done, you can leave with the satisfaction of having saved precious lives with just a little bit of your time, and a little bit of your blood.
About a week before, the Sparks had begun to put up posters across the campus to inform MDIS students of the event. Going all out to publicize this debut, the SC even had a booth in the canteen two days prior to the drive. Here, the publicity video made by one of our very own UniReps was prominently aired while flyers, brochures and banners were displayed.
Those numerous calls by the Sparks did not go unheard as the drive, aimed at an approximate of 60 to 80 pints of blood, received a whopping 166 visitors and collected a generous 100 pints of blood – enough to save 300 people!
