Having seen my father, who was also a Champion Blood Donor, donate blood during my childhood, I automatically went for it when I turned 18. As an apheresis donor, the sessions are more time-consuming than whole blood donations, and finding time was the most challenging aspect of maintaining the monthly apheresis donations. If you set aside some time, it’s very accessible to come forward with the blood bank locations and regular mobile blood drives.

We need to emphasise the importance of blood donation early in a child’s life. They will then be encouraged to step forward to donate blood when they are older. As a child, I didn’t really understand my father’s motivations. But now, to me, it’s just the right thing to do.

Blood donation might seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually very fulfilling to know that you’ve done something good. It’s all worth it in the end.