By Liyana, Donornews Team

Like any other girl, I’ve always waited to turn 18. But unlike any other girl, I don’t anticipate to head down to clubs nor rejoice when the 7-11 staff can’t report me for buying a pack of cigarettes. Because I am a blood donor, I save lives.

I woke up early on the 25th November 2005. For the first time, smelling the crisp air at the tender age of 18! ‘Finally!’ I thought to myself. It’s just an ‘I’m not a girl, not yet a woman’ feeling I guess. Not that I am such a fan of Britney, but I just feel turning 18 is like the crossroads of every girl’s life. After a nice hot bath and breakfast, I left the house and took the MRT to Outram Park.

I was warmly greeted by the staff at the Bloodbank@HSA. After filling up the medical questionnaire, I went for a check with the doctor and finally on the couch waiting for the nurse to attend to me. Her face was so pleasant and calm and so was the environment, no wonder everyone prefer to head down to the Bloodbank instead of the mobile blood drives.

As she injected a local painkiller which later did it’s magic, I reminisced a blood donation video that I watched a couple of years back. The video which featured a young boy who is deprived of a normal life and can only survive on donated blood still remain indelibly etched in my mind. My thoughts were then halted when the nurse came and wished me a happy 18th birthday. J Later, a group of them crowded around me and sang me a Birthday song harmoniously! How sweet! (Awwww…)
Furthermore, the staff at the Bloodbank@HSA presented me with a birthday cupcake and a birthday card. What better ways to celebrate your birthday than knowing that you have saved 3 lives in just 45 minutes! J