| Rokiah Mahmud |
BEING able to save someone’s life is a generous and meaningful act, one that Tung Yiu Hung and Low Tong Wah regularly perform. These two are among the many regular blood donors who not only donate their red blood cells but platelets as well, to the Blood Donation Centre at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.
In an interview with the Bulletin, these two blood donation heroes, who each have donated blood for over 100 times, shared their story. Tung Yiu Hung has bled for many charitable causes since 1994.
“When I donated my blood for the first time I had mixed emotions. I was scared but at the same time excited when I thought that my blood could save someone’s life,” he recounted.
“After my first attempt was successful and looking at the support given by my family and friends, it sort of encouraged me to become a regular blood donor. Being able to donate not only could save many lives, but we can get regular medical check-ups, so it is easy for me to monitor my health.
“There are so many advantages when you become a regular donor. Once every three months, our haemoglobin cells will be replaced by new cells after donating blood. Also, prior to the donation, a doctor will provide us with medical advice and checks our blood pressure, glucose and so on.
“Apart from that, blood donors must not be under any medication and, most importantly, must not suffer from any major illnesses like coronary complications and diabetes,” he added.
Tung is not only a hero to the nation but also an exemplary role model for his family. One of his children, Tung Yee King, 20, started to follow in his father’s footsteps and wishes to become the next blood donation hero like his father.
Tung Yiu Hung (L) and Low Tong Wah with their awards and certificates for their contributions as regular blood donors. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
Tung often invites his fellow family members and friends to donate their blood with him rather than just coming to the donation centre on his own.
“We understand that the centre continuously needs to stock-up the blood supply, especially in cases of emergencies, operations, accidents, blood transfusion, thalassaemia and others,” he added.
At the same time, Tung also donates his platelets, which are cells that circulate within our blood and bind together when it recognises any damage on the blood vessels.
“There is less number of people able to donate platelets, which is why it is hard to have a steady supply of platelets. We usually know that many people donate their blood, but less known are how many people who could donate platelets,” he said.
“If we donate our red blood cells, the session could be completed within 10 minutes, however, the process of donating platelets could take more than one hour. The blood will circulate in and out of the vessels. It is a little bit painful, and can leave some swollen marks.
“If one could not stand the process, they will easily refuse it. Therefore, when the Blood Donation Centre needs a donor, we are ready to provide such assistance if we are fit enough to do so.
The red blood cells take three months to recycle for new cells, while platelets only take around two weeks to reproduce,” Tung explained.
Meanwhile, Low Tong Wah became a donor at a young age and has donated blood about 104 times.
He shared that aside from monetary donations, blood donations are also important for the community.
“Aside from taking care of my health by doing sport activities, one way to keep my health on track is by donating blood. This is because before we can donate, a doctor will check our health condition and provide advice on leading a healthy life,” Low said.
“Through this medical check-up, we can be assured that our blood pressure is normal and the iron level at the optimum. As a regular donor, it indirectly builds my body to its optimum and at the same time strengthens the immune system through the replenishing of new blood cells after making blood donations,” he added.
Similar to Tung, Low also donates his platelets to help those in need. Although he is in his 60’s, the slightly painful process of donating platelets does not scare him. He is even eager if his charitable deeds could help save a life.
The Bulletin also asked the two heroes when they will stop donating blood since they are in their 50’s and 60’s. Both smiled and answered that they will only stop when the doctor advises to not donate anymore.
Being a foreigner in the country, Low mentioned that RIPAS Hospital had granted medical benefits not only for themselves, but also their wives and children aged below 18, where they only need to pay half of the cost of medical services.
The post Blood donation heroes’ legacy of giving appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.