Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) will be organising a blood donation drive on December 3 and 5 from 9am-3pm at the Brunei Darussalam Swimming Complex, Berakas.
The blood donation campaign is held in collaboration with Blood Donation Centre, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital and supported by Youth and Sports Department, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS).
Carrying the theme ‘Our Champions Save Lives’, the main objective of the campaign is to ensure that safe blood will be available and sufficient while also promoting the importance of blood donation to save lives among athletes and the sports community. There is a constant need for regular blood supply as blood can only be stored for a limited time before use.
According to BDNOC, every blood donor is a hero and as appreciation, donors will be given a medal of appreciation inscribed with ‘Thanks! My Champion’ and a certificate of donation signed by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of BDNOC.
The campaign is looking forward to the participation of athletes, coaches, managers, National Sports Association’s members, sports society and the public. Registration is done via QR code.
To be eligible, individuals needs to be aged between 17 and 65, weigh at least 45 kg and be in good health at the time of donation.
Donors are required to follow strict procedures to donate blood by completing information such as name, Identity Card Number and phone number and appointment slot.
They must also fill in their medical history by answering several confidential health questions and carry out a short health exam such as taking pulse, blood pressure, temperature and blood sample for testing.
A phlebotomist will carry out the procedure and the process should take 10-15 minutes.
It is recommended that donors consume a healthy amount of iron in their diet the week before the blood donation. Donors are also recommended to drink plenty of fluids, wear comfortable clothes with sleeves that you can easily roll up above your elbow, bring donation book and do no training on the day of donating.
To enliven the event, there will be awareness booth from the Paediatric Haematology at the Women and Children’s Centre of RIPAS Hospital displaying information on thalassemia.
