A PRECIOUS pint of blood was flown onboard a Pos Malaysia cargo flight on August 3 last year from Sarawak. It was a priceless gift – an Rh17 rare blood sample on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru.
The special cargo reached the blood bank of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru – where it was stored for the imminent need of a pregnant mother who was about to undergo a Caesarean section (C-section).
Without this rare pint, doctors at the hospital would not be able to perform the necessary C-section on the pregnant mother, as Rh17 is a rare blood group – found among certain sub-groups of the Bidayuh tribe in Sarawak.
The 2,000km odyssey for this scarce pint first began with charity in the heart of the donor, Pehan anak Majis, and his ready inclination to help doctors proceed with the C-section with his gift.
Individuals like the pregnant recipient who are Rh17 can only receive blood transfusions from those who are in the same blood type as theirs. If the recipient is infused with blood from a non-matching donor it can result in an acute life-threatening blood reaction.
Pehan will never know or ever meet the expectant mother, his pint of blood saved. Nor will he ever see the face of the baby that was born through his gift of blood.
It is likely he knew well that the mother's "tears" cannot save her child, but his "pint of blood" very well can!
Act of solidarity
On World Blood Donor Day 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is calling on people all around the globe to give blood in a gesture of solidarity – the theme for this year’s celebrations.
The world body said: “Safe blood and blood products and their transfusion are a critical aspect of care and public health. They are key in treating people suffering from a range of diseases and as a result of accidents, natural disasters, and armed conflict.
"The need for blood is universal, but access to it is limited – especially in low- and middle-income countries, where shortages particularly impact women and children as they tend to be the people who need blood most.
“Becoming a regular voluntary blood donor is a simple but selfless step that everyone can take to strengthen their communities, support local health systems, and save lives,” WHO said.
In Malaysia, state hospitals and many partner organisations have teamed up with the National Blood Bank in Kuala Lumpur in thanking one million blood donors who will be part of the life-saving solidarity this year. The campaign to rally one million donors is ongoing across the country.
In Sarawak, the campaign has been actively advancing since several weeks ago, spearheaded by the Sarawak General Hospital Blood Bank (SGHBB). A large number of donors have flocked to the hospital to freely contribute to this act of solidarity.
Regular blood donor Thompson Jirina, 39, is among the many who donated his blood today at the SGHBB.
Speaking to The Vibes, the former off-shore fireman proudly said: “This is my 31st attempt at donating blood and I feel good, physically, spiritually, and emotionally after each donation.”
Thompson said he first donated blood at age 22, during his recruit training as a fireman at the Pusat Latihan Bomba Wilayah, Shah Alam in 2006.
“Donating blood is a great act of charity, because each time I give 450ml, three lives are saved. When this fact was revealed to me by the blood bank team, I realised that doctors are not the only ones who save lives, but each donor is also a life-saving co-partner with the medical fraternity.
“It does not matter, whose life my blood saves. Let it be anyone. As human beings we are called to share the goodness of life in the spirit of charity and solidarity with our fellow men,” said Thompson nonchalantly.
Gift of life from ‘Birthday Girl’
Gloria anak Jinggi was among the many Sarawakians who joined the blood donation drive in conjunction with the World Blood Donor Day campaign hosted by SGHBB.
The security personnel who works at the Sarawak General Hospital had turned 53 on Friday and stepped into the hospital’s blood bank to do her bit to save lives.
She said, “I donated a bag of blood to a patient in the hospital in conjunction with my birthday today.”
News of Gloria’s donation was posted on the SGHBB Facebook page along with a photo of herself holding her bag of blood. A tag reading “Happy Birthday” was also placed on her chest.
In the posting, SGHBB said: “A meaningful message from a blood donor, Madam Gloria anak Jinggi who celebrates her 53rd birthday today, June 10.”
The posting also said: “Gloria took time to step into the blood bank while doing her rounds as a security personnel to freely give her precious pint.”
Gloria, according to SGHBB has been donating blood since February 2013. She has been a regular donor and has to date donated 27 times. According to SGHBB, Gloria hopes her donation will bring a ray of hope to those who need blood, especially during very critical times.
“Hopefully, more people out there, regardless of religion, race and background, will show up and donate blood to save the lives of people who are battling illnesses in the hospital wards,” said SGHBB. – The Vibes, June 14, 2022
