The first time I donated blood was on July 27, 2021. I tried to donate blood before that but I did not reach the weight limit and was turned away. It was a semi-nerve wracking experience because I did not know what to expect. I was also doubtful I would survive the process without the color draining from my face. But I did it, although the nurse who extracted my blood said that I became too pale for my own good.

Since I endured the first blood extraction, albeit becoming quite white, I decided to volunteer in our bloodletting activity once again. The Mobile Blood Donation unit of Philippine Red Cross (PRC) went to our office. On Tuesday, I donated 450-ml of my blood. The second time around was easier and breezier than the first. I was the fourth in line (it paid that I was in the area quite early). After I answered the questionnaire, a volunteer from the Philippine Red Cross took my weight and asked me a few questions (did I have breakfast and what time I slept the previous night and woke up that morning, among other things). I gave her my Philippine Red Cross Blood Donation Card. She pricked my ring finger and checked my blood type and my hemoglobin level. My drop of blood did fall to the bottom of what looked like a shot glass, so the lady volunteer had to do something to check my hemoglobin level. Thankfully, I passed. Then, a doctor took my blood pressure (my blood pressure has always been normal) and approved my form.

Following the screening, I went inside the room which was converted that day to contain the beds to be used for blood extraction. The nurse who extracted my blood in July was the same nurse who took my blood that day. I did not check the needle anymore nor asked him a lot of questions. He handed a stress ball to me and I squeezed it as he told me what to do while he inserted the needle on my vein. It took around six minutes for the 450-ml bag to be filled with my blood.

I rested on the bed for around 10 minutes afterwards. One of the PRC personnel gave me some items, which included a bottle of orange juice, a snack bar, a hand sanitizer, two packs of sanitary pads, and a water bottle (I am still using the first one they gave, and I was glad to get a second one). After that, I went out and got my free food from our HR team – it had one piece chicken, rice, one burger, one peach mango pie, and one pack of juice. I felt famished right away, so I had some water and bread. I had the chicken and the rice for lunch, and the other edibles for the afternoon snack and part of my dinner.

I felt good and did not feel dizzy in the wake of the blood donation. I know that if I still qualify for our next quarter bloodletting that I will donate once again. Over 1000-ml of blood donated is better than 900-ml.