Lyna Mohamad
The blood donation drive organised by Atha Sdn Bhd in collaboration with the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital Blood Donation Centre collected 30 pints of blood at the Annajat Complex yesterday.
Among the donors were father and son from Kampong Lugu, Ruzaimi bin Haji Tahir and Raziq Qayyum bin Ruzaimi.
Ruzaimi, to date, has donated blood 13 times. He said his first donation triggered a feeling of responsibility in saving lives.
“At first, I was a bit nervous but the thought of saving lives put me at ease.
“Now I look forward to giving whenever I hear a blood donation drive on the radio and social media as well as in messages from the RIPAS Hospital Blood Donation centre.”
His 18-year old son Raziq Qayyum, a student, was a donor for the first time but said he was prepared and not nervous at all.
Happy to be able to donate alongside his father, Raziq pledged to be a regular donor to motivate his generation to come forward and donate blood. He added that he will encourage his friends to tag along next time.
Nurthariyah of Kampong Rimba donated her first pint of blood during a campaign at her school, with yesterday marking her third.
She said during her first blood donation she was nervous and became dizzy when she saw the blood but it was very brief, adding that she only felt a slight pain during the insertion of the needle.
“To those who are still having second thoughts, the process is easy as long as you are eligible,” she said.
“Don’t worry about needles or seeing blood. Think about how your pint of blood will be the reason for three other people to live, and you will feel proud knowing that.”
