gift of life

it's the 1st of 3 or 4 blood donation campaigns that the hospital organises annually in conjunction with the general hospital to boost up blood bank supplies. (note: private hospitals still get their stored blood from the govt hospitals)

i have been donating since i was a freshie at varsity & i consider this national service. in addition to fulfilling a social responsibility, there have been reports that blood donors may derive health benefits from this. (read here & here)

but recent stringent guidelines have prevented me (& many others) from giving since 2003 due to the fear of transmission of the so-called mad cow disease, a condition which gripped europe at its height in the 1990s. (read here & here).

unfortunately for me (& the wife & daughter) british beef is as juicy & tender as you can get anywhere. if i start writing crazy or bizarre, you'll know why.

but that shouldn't stop others from doing their bit for society. 60 pints of blood were collected today, so that's at least 60 people who'll benefit from this act of kindness - a gift of life.

PS. i forgot to mention that having donated 18 times, i now am entitled to FREE out-patient treatment & 2nd class ward admission for 2 whole years? ain't that grand or what??!!