SIXTY-FIVE per cent of Singaporeans are eligible blood donors but only one per cent regularly come forward to extend their "gift of life".

This does not bobe well for accident and burn victims, as well as leukaemia patients, who require regular blood transfusions.

But what is stopping Singaporeans from coming forward?

Old wives' tales apparently, are the chief culprits.

Mr Vashdev Chandiramani, project chairman of the blood donation drives at the Sindhi Merchant Association, said that some myths claim that blood donation causes weight increase.

"(But) I don't see myself growing fatter every three months," quipped the 42-year-old who has been a regular blood donor since he was 18.

And it is not a painful process as many would believe, added Mr Chandiramani. He said many first time donors become regulars because they realise that "it only hurts like a red ant's bite".

Anothor regular blood donor, Mr Lee Choh Choon, is also quick to dismiss other claims.

"Blood donation does not take away the qi, but instead makes me healthier in spirit and body," siad Mr Lee, 59.

Both men were given awards yesterday for their commitment to the blood donation movement. Mr Chandiramani received the Singapore Red Cross Society's Champion Silver Donor award, while Mr Lee was given the Gold Donor award.

The other recipient of the Gold Donor award was 62-year-old Dr Farida Vasanwala.

The soon-to-be grandmother donates blood every three months and believes that women should contribute to the society by becoming blood donors.

Bloodbank@HSA, a statutory board under the Health Ministry, says only 430ml of blood is taken during each donation. That amount, which is replaced within 72 hours, is about one-tenth of the total volume of blood in the body.

Though small in quantity, the Bloodbank@HSA says that a single donation can benefit four different patients as each unit of blood could be processed into blood products to treat various types of illnesses.