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6 February 2011 at 11:33 PM
A week ago, a neighbour sent a mail to the neighbourhood google group, requesting all of us to come forward and donate blood at a camp to be organised by the Thalassemia Society. With a shamefully low pain threshold and a fear of needle-induced infections, I have, I am ashamed to confess, never donated blood.
This time, I could visualise in my mind's eye the lovely little girl who goes around thanking every one she sees for donating blood So I immediately replied to the mail, promising to be there, and because promises have to be honoured, no matter what, I was there at 11 AM today.
The AIIMS team had a well equipped mobile unit --- it even came equipped with a screen playing "Ajab prem ki gajab kahani" ! A pin prick to test the blood group, a short Q&A session to determine suitability, another ten minutes or so for the 350 cc of blood to take the first step towards flowing in someone else's veins and make her better ---- that's it! I was made to gulp down juice, given an apple and a pear and a Donor's card, and at 1130 AM, I was back home. I felt I could finally look the little girl in the eye if ever I met her, now that I am the proud owner of the earthen coffee mug that the Thalassemia Society gifts to donors.
I have resolved to donate blood once every quarter, and the only regret I have is that I didn't do it earlier. To all those friends who haven't ever donated blood ----just do it! And discover for yourself how incredibly uplifting the experience is.
