Media influence on blood donation

[yingco]

I am interested to know what are some of the problems faced in order to get sufficient blood? Does the advertising firm charge the organisation?

Recently, there are cases of people who are caught and tried for not disclosing information during the blood donation drive registeration. What is the person involved is not aware that he has any diseases, esp Aid? Will there be any other risks involved? Does this issue affected other donors, esp first timers, from donating blood? Afterall, the process of donating blood, esp the questionaires, is very troublesome, and may put off potential donars.

Couldn't the blood bank collect blood from anyone and do very intensive checks in the lab, So that anyone will come foreward?

[Shan Xue]

I am interested to know what are some of the problems faced in order to get sufficient blood?

Many people in Singapore are not aware of the need for blood. They only come forward to donate when there is a national disaster.


Does the advertising firm charge the organisation?

I think so. Advertising is by Singapore Red Cross Blood Donation Recruitment Programme. They have a budget given by the government to do advertising. Some corporate organisations such as SMRT may advertise for free. i am not sure.


What is the person involved is not aware that he has any diseases, esp Aid?

If the person has answered truthfully and yet got Aids, the person will not be charged.


Afterall, the process of donating blood, esp the questionaires, is very troublesome, and may put off potential donars.

it is necessary to ensure the safety of the blood supply. it only takes a few minutes to fill up the questionaire.


Couldn't the blood bank collect blood from anyone and do very intensive checks in the lab, So that anyone will come foreward?

Because there is window period for virus, especially the Aids virus that cannot be detected by laboratory tests.


Question 1c
All donors should be aware of the "window period" of AIDS virus infection.

The "window period" is defined as the period when the blood is infectious if transfused but the virus is undetectable by laboratory tests.

The "window period" or AIDS virus range from about 11 to 21 days depending on the type of screening tests used. It is imperative that donors should not donate blood if they have any risk factors because their blood is infectious during this " window period" and we cannot detect the virus using the current tests.
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/internet/dcController?next=i_donorcare_question#Q1c

[yingco]

Hi,

I wonder if there is any celebrity who is a regular blood donor? Will it be possible to have a "Blood Donation Ambassador", like the anti smoking campaign? :D

One of the major problems in the doldrums of regular blood donors is that the pace of life is too fast and the working hours are too long. People are often too exhausted or busy meeting their needs to donate blood on a regular basis. :o

I think that it will be good to have someone with appeal/ popularity/ influence to donate blood regularly. They can act as role models to others, as they are able to take some time off to donate blood despite their hectic schedules. Furthermore, the regularity and consistency of such scheme, publicized by the media, can serve as a reminder to the potential donors that it’s time to donate blood after the 3 month window period. Besides, the blood bank will definitely get a steady blood supply from this Ambassador as well, if it fails to work. He he :D

This is just a suggestion to the current marketing plan. Please give comments on whether it is viable. Thanks.:D

Regards,
Yingco

[yingco]

I wonder if there is any celebrity who is a regular blood donor? Will it be possible to have a "Blood Donation Ambassador", like the anti smoking campaign?


I think I've made a mistake due to my ignorance. The blood bank is indeed having Youth Ambassadors already.:D :p They also recognise the efforts of individuals who make the effort to donate blood at a regular basis as "Champion Blood Donors". :p :D

However, I do think that people wil more influencing powers (celebritys), like Mr Lee Hsien Long (PM), Ms Stephanie Sun and etc being role models for blood donations will be more effective. They have that "personal power" to rally their supporters to come foreward to donate blood.

[Shan Xue]

However, I do think that people wil more influencing powers (celebritys), like Mr Lee Hsien Long (PM), Ms Stephanie Sun and etc being role models for blood donations will be more effective. They have that "personal power" to rally their supporters to come foreward to donate blood.

Besides celebrities, people who are physically disadvantaged can also motivate ppl to donate blood.

for eg the case below.

眼盲心不盲 http://www.blood.org.tw/images/index/white_bg.gif「我捐血十六次」，這個對一般捐血朋友來說，這個成績是尚可啦！但是由視障的捐血 朋友口中說出，那就不是「尚可」二個字可以形容了。你要說很不錯，我不反對；你要說好棒！超棒！我頗認同； 你要說真是好有心，令人敬佩，是大家學習的好榜樣，我則是舉雙手贊同。是的，你可知他們每捐出一袋血，要比 平常人付出多少心血嗎？

家住宜蘭縣五結鄉的林輝煌先生，民國八十五年底在朋友的協助下捐出第一袋熱血，這一袋熱血讓他覺得他和正常 人一樣也是可以幫助別人的，這一個喜悅的認知，完全改變了他的人生觀，主動的接受盲人協會的工作技能訓練後 ，以為他人按摩服務來謀生，其足跡遍佈宜蘭縣境各觀光點，如羅東運動公園、舉辦童玩節的冬山河、舉辦綠色博 覽會的武荖坑等，不僅開闊了其心胸，也使他能為別人服務為樂。

他說，能靠自己雙手來賺錢，再辛苦也值得，比那些遊手好閒四肢健全明眼人，去從事偷搶拐騙的勾 當要強多了。

2月22日這天，文秀聽友會在羅東定點車主辦捐血活動，一向是文秀聽友會忠實聽眾的林先生，由廣播中得知缺 血訊息，隨即接受主持人文秀小姐的號召，自費包計程車專程來捐血五百西西，捐完血後再原車回家，這已是多年 來的捐血模式。在捐血車上有人問他，這樣划不來吧？他說，能「捐血救人」這區區車錢算得了什麼，救人不能等 ，錢卻還可以再賺。聞之，令大家肅然起敬，感動不已。
http://www.blood.org.tw/index-magazine-detail.php?id=88