I went to donate blood today. It was my No. 18 time. I can’t remember how many times i donated till the doctor reminded me. Number is not important as i am happy that my blood can save others people life. 
I still remember my first blood donation experience in 8th April 2005. Yah, i started donating blood when i am 25 years old. Enough of waiting for friends commitment and i just went ahead to do it.
I still remember how i wrote an entry back then. It actually quite interesting to read back how i felt then. Bad English and the “First Timer” experience.
So what are you waiting for… Just Do It!!!
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The procedure actually quite simple and the staff there are very friendly. I went straight to the counter for registration and proceed to fill in the questionnaire. Since it was my first time, i was given a sticker to indicate to the staffs that i am a first timer.
First Timer Sticker
Within 5 minute, i was called up by the doctor to do a weight and blood pressure test. Boy… It was fast and before i knew it, i was at the next station where one of the nurse prick my middle finger to draw some blood and dripping it into a container filled with blue liquid.
I was directed to the donating room where i sit comfortably on the chair. The nurse was chatting with me while she tried to search for my vein.
She started applying a yellow liquid at the vein area after which she injected a shot of anesthesia. The nurse kept chatting with me during the whole process. Next came the needle but no feeling at all since already numb. Her movement was fast and swift. She told me to squeeze the rubber ball every 10 seconds. I seem to take longer than the rest of the people but they assured me that it perfectly normal for a first timer.
The machine keep beeping after the first 4 minute. She told me that my flow rate a bit slow. She keep stroking my vein to regulate the flow. During the whole process, i was given this refreshment card which can redeem some snack outside the cafe later.
The whole process was completed in 10 minutes time. After removal of the needle, she ask me to apply direct pressure while continue to rest for another 10 minutes. Last but not least, she bandage my hand with a happy face bandage. It was really cute and it come in different colour, Blue, Yellow, Green. I got the blue one.
Blue Happy Face Bandage
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