Thankful for being on the giving end

其实我写了关於捐血的事后，本想再继续写关於有些华人的观念或借口，如要吃很多补才能有血、身体发肤受之父母岂能毁伤、去医院是不吉利的、怕捐血用的针等等…

Steve 的姐Sue读了我的blog即给我回应，我想也正符合我要鼓励人捐血，我就借用她的分享（翻译自英文）﹕

“我刚读你写关於捐血，很喜爱它！我有捐 platelets（血子板／凝血细胞）即是血的其中成份。我喜欢可以每两星期捐凝血细胞。凝血细胞可用於那些癌症者的血（尤其是他们的凝血细胞）已被化疗毁灭。它要用一、两个小时的過程从身体抽出血，血經過分离机留下凝血细胞和一点血浆，然后将红血球输送回捐者。当我捐凝血细胞完走出医院室，并不会感到疲乏或软弱。我从不知道我的血会输给谁，只希望捐献能帮助某人。我曾在血库工作過，见過那是多么需求血。我很高兴你有捐血。我有登记捐骨髓，但在一次被传招时我身怀Alec，所以不能。对於血和骨髓的事例，我常感谢我是施舍者好過是接受者。我有很多要感激的。感谢鼓励人捐血！”

After I wrote about donating blood, I wanted to continue writing about how some Chinese believe or have excuses, like you need to eat a lot of nourishing foods/supplements to gain back the blood; the whole body is a gift from the parents and it is not showing filial piety to destroy any part of it; it is bad luck if you go in a hospital; they are afraid of needles; and etc…

Steve’s sister, Sue, responded to me after she read my blog. I think it matches my thoughts, encouraging people to donate blood, so I will share her writing:

“I just read your blog about donating blood. LOVED IT! I have donated platelets, which are a component of blood. I like that I'm able to donate platelets every two weeks. They use platelets to help cancer patients whose blood (specifically their platelets) have been destroyed by chemotherapy. It's 1-2 hour process whereby they take the blood out of the body, run it through a centrifuge, keep the platelets and a little plasma, and return the red blood cells to the donor. When I donate platelets, I don't get as tired and feel as worn down afterward. I have never known who my blood goes to, but I just hope the donations I give help someone. I used to work at a blood bank, and I saw how much there was a need for blood. I'm glad you've donated. I'm on the registry for bone marrow, but the only time I've ever been called I was pregnant with Alec, and couldn't give. In the case of blood and bone marrow, I always give thanks that I'm able to be on the giving end, rather than the receiving end. I have much to be thankful for. Thanks for encouraging people to donate blood!”