Where art thou, Onegative?

     Over a span of 2weeks, I have self-proclaimed that I have elevated my knowledge on blood donations, blood screening and the reading of CBC. Before, I used to go  nosebleed on medical terms such as hematocrit counts and platelets but right now, these are some things I demand to know right after Lito’s CBCs. My face has been a familiar addition to the Blood bank here in Chong Hua Hospital (CHH) because of my constant meeting of donors for bleeding and possible donors for screening. So allow me to make some attempts in blogging about blood donation and how it could help a lot of people, and even you, through my experience in looking for the “golden ninja blood”. Yeah. I love that term. 

     Lito’s blood, which is O- is one of the rarest blood types because of the RH component in it. To further explain its rarity and how it was SO HARD for me to collect VOLUNTARY donors, here are some facts that I gathered about this blood type:

•   People with this blood type can donate blood to other blood groups such as A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O-. However, it is ironic that they CANNOT receive blood from other blood groups except from those having the same blood type (O-).
• Blood type O negative is the MOST preferred of all the blood types when there are cases of emergency and you don’t know the blood type of the victim because it can be transfused to any kind of blood group.
•  Less than 1% of Asians come from this blood group as most of the population are scattered in countries like Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Iceland.

    Look how selfless this blood type is:

 In the first few weeks wherein we are asked to look for donors,  Lito and I had no choice but to publicize our need. We first opted to keep things mum because we don’t want anyone to know about his diagnosis but the need has given us no choice but to ask for help. In less than 24hours, I have received calls (as my numbers are the main lines announced) from our friends, loved ones, acquaintances. The next day, my calls are coming from nationwide numbers asking how they can help. And in the first week, I would be awakened from calls internationally, including that of the American Red Cross. It was so overwhelming to hear strangers, nameless faces and anonymous referrals calling us how they could help. I couldn’t thank God enough.

    It was that hard because PNRC does not stock RH- blood and the donors are very limited. Even with the limited blood donors, there is still the blood screening that they have to pass so it’s no assurance that if they are Oneg, they can pass right away. Desperation almost crept in on me for finding this rare blood type as failed screens are reported back to us one by one. I walk back and forth to the Regional Blood bank from the hospital in the hope that there are developments in having blood donated.  Chong Hua Blood Bank was most cooperative but sadly, there was NO STOCK BLOOD. Plus, as much as possible, we would be needing donors because of apheresis (platelet extraction) that has to be performed in the hospital's blood bank.  I almost got desperate that I had to ask random foreigners in the mall adjacent to the hospital:

“Sir, by any chance, are you O negative?

“Sorry I’m AB (or B-, or A-). Why?”

“My husband needs O- and we can’t find enough donors”

“Oh, that’s a shame but I’ll help look. That’s very rare, even in the US”

“okay sir thank you so much, here are my contact details just in case…”

     Looking back, I couldn’t believe I did those things. But when push comes to shove, I would do anything for Lito, even if that would mean meeting random strangers and asking for their blood type (hehe..baga ug face!). So anyway, among those many who were screened, only 6 passed, Lito’s brother, Stanly included. However, he is being reserved should there be any possibility of bone marrow transplantation (he is the closest match). So with Stanly deducted from my top 6, I now have 5 donors. My 4 ninja donors—2 brothers with HD as their initials, SE and MJP—are all referrals from friends. They are a living proof that altruism still exists in this world. I am forever grateful to their selflessness.

     One donor, though, is different. I would rather not mention his name but he was insinuating that blood donation is very tiring as it takes 2hrs. He was saying his blood is worth P8000-P9000 per bag. I was shocked and asked him, “Sure? Coz I am not used to buying blood as most of my donors are voluntary”. And in the vernacular he told me, “Maayo na lang gali nga naghatag ko discount ninyo. Sa uban, akong hatag kay P10,000-P15,000”. He even told me, “Aw unsa man, kinahanglan ka sa akong dugo? Ganahan man kaha ka mabuhi imong bana?” I find that comment sooooo arrogant and bastos.  I was so flabbergasted I wanted to slap his selfish face but stopped myself from being rude as I might need him if there is no other option. I told him to wait for my call. But the thought of selling his blood for money bugged me the whole day. Are we that desperate here for any means of living that blood is the only way to make an income? These people are no less different from prostitutes. I also  saw this law abolishing this act of selling blood. As stated in Republic Act No. 1517, an act regulating the collection, processing and sale of human blood, human blood must be from voluntary donors and must be on a non-profit basis. Any fee collected should be from official establishments, hospitals for blood processing and laboratory needs. Any person violating this will be punishable by imprisonment of no less than one month or will be fined of not less than P100,000.00.

    Lito and I came to talking that this person wasn’t thinking that— Only blood from one person can save another. There are no alternatives to this yet in the medical field. So what if he would need blood himself in the future? With the rarity of their blood type, how could he easily collect blood the same way he’s giving it? I always believe that you get what you give. So, really. Good luck to this person! Hayyyy… Anyway, he’s my last option after all my altruistic donors are exhausted already.

    This whole experience has given me a different perspective in blood donation and how important it is to do so often. It could not only save lots of lives but it could save yours, too. I have never been this active in its importance and cause until I was the one who really really searched for it. Lito and I are just blessed to be confined in Cebu’s best hospital- Chong Hua Hospital. I’ve been to different hopsitals and I could say--- service and facility wise, we are so lucky. There are a lot of self-acclaimed heroes in our society but for me, the true every day heroes are these registered nurses, medical technicians and medical staff who work day and night, round the clock to care for us. Amidst the opportunities outside, they are here for us and they take pride in what they do. You guys are the best! (Special mention Dr. Eric Lasala, Josephine Ong, Dr. Joanne of Patient Care, the nurses of 10-B, our Hema-Onco friends, and of course Dr. Leilani Cabahug).

   I am scared of needles, even CBCs make me cry. But if given the chance to donate, I would. These are facts about how much you could help when you donate:

• Each pint of whole blood donated by one person helps THREE other people.
•  One pint of blood may be separate into its various components such as plasma, red blood cells and others. If one pint of blood is used as components, it can help SEVEN people.
• Blood donation benefits surgical patients, accident victims, individuals with sickle- cell anemia  or people undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. It can also save the lives of premature infants and children.

I mean, I didn’t know I could help that much with my blood! I was thinking—the world is round. What if the ones we save in the long run would be our loved ones or even ourselves?

Anyway, I got some information that Chong Hua Hospital, in coordination with ABS-CBN holds a monthly blood donation campaign here in the hospital. I think the next one will be this

  February 11, 2012.

You can donate blood if you have the following qualifications:

·      At least 18 years old. Younger volunteer donors may donate but must present a written consent form from their parent or guardian.

·      Minimum weight of 45 kg.

·      Male or female. Menstruating females can donate blood.

·      If female, must not be pregnant, have not given birth within the last 6 weeks immediately prior to blood donation, not breast feeding, or not planning pregnancy.

·      Females who are menstruating may donate blood, provided their hemoglobin is within normal limits.

·      No tattoo, body piercing, except for earrings for females, but not to exceed one per ear lobe.

·      Have not donated blood in the last 6-8 weeks immediately prior to the blood donation.

·      Have not underwent major surgery within 12 months immediately prior to donation.

·      Must not be taking any maintenance medicines for medical conditions.

·      Have not had dental surgery or extractions within 12 months immediately prior to donation.

·      Must pass the physical examination conducted during the screening process.

It is advised that prior to blood donation, you did not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior, you drink plenty of fluids like water, juices and soup, no fatty foods four hours before the donation and that you have adequate sleep.

After blood is extracted from you, drinking plenty of fluids is still advised. Eating of green and leafy vegetables will help you enhance your body’s capacity to regenerate new red cells. You are not advised to leave the blood donation area right away as you need to rest first. It is best that you do not drive or operate motorized vehicles and if you must drive, at least do not drive alone. Alcoholic beverages should not be a substitute to fluid replacement as this will only cause some degree of dehydration. Normal athletic activities may be resumed in three days or as soon as you can tolerate. Day to day activities may be continued.

If by any chance you find it in your heart to reach out and truly help, this is your opportunity. I have learned as well that in blood donations, it’s a two-way benefit. Meaning, donors can benefit as well! Here’s why:

•            FREE Health Screening- Every time you donate blood at Chong Hua’s Blood Donation centers, you get to have free health screenings by a doctor or a medical technician. The following tests are included and given as a report the following week.  Normally, if you have yourself screened for said tests outside the blood donation, this would amount to around P3,000.00 or up. Just consult upon extraction as to when this report can be given:

·      CBC

·      Blood Typing

·      Anti-Malaria

·      Anti-Syphilis

·      Hepatitis B Antigen

·      Anti-Hepatitis C

·      Anti HIV1 and 2

·      HBV DNA

•             Reduced Risk of Heart Diseases- It is said, although there’s no conclusive evidence yet, that donating blood prevents heart diseases. This is because it reduces iron in the bloodstream. While iron is important, too much of it can cause damage to the heart and circulatory system. It can also clean up the circulatory system, especially for guys who do not have the monthly menstrual cycle of girls that can naturally clean up the circulation of our body’s system.
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•         Opportunity to be Altruistic. Basically, you will feel good with the fact that you have helped someone. Giving feels great, especially with the knowledge that just one hour of your time and just one pint of your blood can save so many lives. 

We are still in need of Onegative donors, by the way as we don't know yet how many packed RBCs we need as well as platelets during the course of his entire therapy.  We are encouraging those with Onegative blood types to grab this opportunity to help us. Even if your blood type is not Onegative, we are urging each and every one reading this to donate and grab this opportunity to save lives of those who are in need. 

The measure of a true hero is when the one he saves will never know….

Signage added outside our hospital room-- to avoid strangers walking in our room. Thanks Chong Hua for the quick response! 

Lito's CT Scan-- normal! Yes! Except for sinusitis. not that bad. 

X-ray results. Normal chest! Yehey! No infection.