Being a Hero is in your Blood!

Can't help using last year's Blood donation campaign slogan. It took me ages to come up with it for last year's blood drive, so I thought I might as well use it. So...a blood unit is going to be set up at University by the Malta Medical Student Association (MMSA) as indicated in the above poster - 16th, 17th and 18th April next to car park 6. I'm not directly involved in this but my friend is. Plus, this is one of the few causes within MMSA I love to support.

If you're wondering whether you're eligible to donate: firstly, you have to be 18 years old or older. If you're 17, you can donate with your parent's/guardian's consent. You must weigh at least 50 kg/110 lb (up to now I am a very good candidate). Also, you must be in general good health. But, this being very vague, I'll try be give a few specifics...

• Haemoglobin levels should be above 12.5 g/dL and your blood pressure should be normal (120/80). But these are things the doctors and nurses will check on the day so I wouldn't worry too much about them. Those who have certain blood conditions like Thalassaemia or blood clotting disorders you most probably won't be able to donate blood. For those who are anaemic, make sure you're free from any symptoms. But, like I said, the doctor will have you checked on the day.
• If you suffer from allergies you can donate as long as you didn't get an infection and you're not on medication. But again, when in doubt, you can ask the staff on the day.
• If you've suffered from food poisoning or gastroenteritis, you can donate a week after full recovery.
• If you currently have an STI (sexually transmitted infection), you won't be able to donate in this campaign. Some other time maybe, depending on the STI. For example, HIV and Hepatitis B are STIs but if you've got those, then you cannot donate blood. Sorry...
• If you're on antibiotics, a 72-hour deferral is required before donating after yuo're healed from the infection (72 hours is approx 6 days).

Having said all this, there's one thing I'd like to make clear. I tried making sure that the above bulleted information is correct at the time of typing. But this blog is not the Gospel of John. When in doubt, just ask a qualified doctor. Trust me, not all of them bite. And if there's someone out there that finds something wrong with what I typed, or has a question, please post a comment. And even if you just think that this site is cool/crappy/boring/plain stupid/dumb/funny...just post.

By the way, don't forget your ID. I can't promise I'll be there on the day. I'm not very lucky when it comes to donating blood. They always find something wrong with me apart from being a serious mental case. But I'm working on it with the hope of donating this time. In the meantime, do consider saving a few lives without the pains of getting a medical degree...