I just came across this video where a fellow SG youtuber talks about her first experience of donating blood. I don't know how many of you have actually donated blood before but bear with me as I share my experience.

My own first time was shortly after I turned 16. I know that donors have to be above 16 but those below 18 require a parental consent form.
The main reason why I started donating blood is cos of Mom. Mom is a regular donor - she gives blood at least twice a year. Even before I turned 16, I would accompany Mom to HSA and wait for her to donate blood before we go makan or shopping.

My first wasn't that big a deal.
Not exactly painful nor did I really feel uncomfortable after that.
It was really quite okay. :)

I did continue to donate blood a couple more times, each time with Mom.


Until the day I nearly died.


Seriously, I felt like I was going to die.

My last time was during a blood donation drive in JC (think it was J2). Obviously I wasn't at all fearful since I had already done it before. I was actually eager to prove to my classmates that it wasn't scary and maybe also to show off a little. Haha.

I remember waving off Jesreen's nervousness and telling her there's nothing to worry about. She wanted to donate but wasn't sure yet and I recall her hovering around the few chairs that our other classmates were on.

When the nurses prepared themselves around me, I acted cool and like it was no-problemo.
The anesthetic went in - no-problemo!
The big blood-sucking needle went in - no-problemo!

....Until 2 minutes later. :S

I felt giddy.
I was semi-conscious.
Everything was a blur (literally!).
I could feel the nurses lifting the lower portion of the chair such that my legs were higher up. I guess to direct the blood back to my brain or something.
I could hear a commotion but it felt pretty distant.
And I couldn't talk or move or really do anything.
Then I blacked-out.

It was damn scary can! I seriously thought I was going to die.
Was that a glimpse of how death will be?

I don't know how long it took me but I came back to consciousness eventually.

Totally embarrassed that that could happen to me and I consider myself to be experienced. Sheesh.
Everyone was like "are you okay are you okay" around me.
Jesreen was telling me how pale I turned and it totally freaked her out. Like shit man. My plan of trying to encourage people to donate blood failed horribly.


It still scares me now after that near-death experience though I would really love to donate blood again. I guess I would be more encouraged to go if Hans would go cos he hasn't donated blood before. But he is so stubborn and shhhh.. I think needles scare him. Haha.
I can always go with Mom but I don't know. I haven't really gotten over that experience.

Tell me.. What was your experience? :)