Lau Tang Trong's blood-donation journey started 28 years ago when her colleague was diagnosed with leukaemia. Trong, the only female recipient of the Medal for Life Award this year, shares her commitment to donating blood regularly.

Lau Tang Trong, 52, embarked on her blood-donation journey 28 years ago, when the bank she was then working at organised a blood donation call-out for a colleague who was diagnosed with leukaemia. Trong considered herself fortunate to be among the few who met the eligibility criteria, and donated blood that day. To her surprise, that first visit to the blood bank was smooth sailing: her blood pressure and blood count were good, and the experience was pain-free. 

"I was one of the lucky few without issues with blood donation. I was just doing my part," says Trong, who now runs a business providing IT solutions.

Looking back, she recounts fondly how her first blood donation was subsequently featured in the bank’s in-house magazine. The fact that she was one of the few who could donate blood easily and often motivated her to continue doing so regularly over the years.

"Being able to donate blood attests that your body is healthy. That’s not something that should be taken for granted," she says. 

Making the switch to apheresis blood donation

In 2007, Trong was informed of her suitability for apheresis blood donation – a process of separating blood into its different components (plasma, platelets and red blood cells) according to what the recipient needs, and returning the rest of the blood to the donor. While whole blood donation takes approximately half an hour, apheresis blood donation takes three times longer, or about 1.5 hours. Hence, Trong would plan her work schedule effectively around blood donations by taking work calls and meetings during the procedures. Given her competitive nature, she made good use of her time despite apheresis blood donations being more time-consuming. 

However, it was only through those monthly visits to the Blood Bank and time spent engaging with the nurses there that Trong realised the huge impact blood donation has on saving lives. 

"Once you believe in the cause and are motivated to donate blood regularly, you will want to make it work," she states. 

As such, Trong makes an effort to maintain healthy haemoglobin levels in order to continue donating blood every month, such as consuming iron-rich food. 

"As a frequent blood donor, I am familiar with the questionnaire (given to blood donors) and I will take extra care to ensure I don’t do things that will jeopardise my blood donation," she says. 

Circumstances that would jeopardise blood donation attempts include taking medication, consuming herbal remedies or supplements.

Twenty eight years of commitment to the cause have paid off for Trong, who is the only female recipient of the Medal for Life Award¹ this year, having made 156 blood donations as of end 2021.

A passionate Trong urges everyone who can donate blood to take a step forward and give it a go. Perhaps companies could encourage their employees to give the gift of life by giving them time off to donate blood, she suggests.

Medal for Life¹ - To qualify for the Medal for Life Award, one would have to make at least 150 blood donations for females and 200 blood donations for males.

By Sharlene Neo 
Copyedited by Lisa Kong, Volunteer