Blood donation is close to Liauw Yong Sheng's heart because of a blood deficiency condition his mother has. Understanding the importance of blood in sustaining one's life, it sparked his passion for blood donation. Now, he strongly advocates blood donation among his friends. 

Liauw Yong Sheng, 23, understood early on the vital role blood plays in sustaining life. He grew up watching his mother struggle with a blood deficiency condition, and his sister’s unsuccessful attempts to donate her blood because of low iron levels. Thus, at the tender age of 14, it ignited in him a desire to become a regular blood donor. When Yong Sheng finally came of age at 16, he took the first steps on his blood donation journey. 

In his commitment to his goal of being a regular blood donor, Yong Sheng would pencil in his next donation date on a whiteboard display in his room to keep track of his donation schedule.

“Blood donation is something you can do at your own convenience and at the same time, it is a simple way to give back to the community,” he said.

Yong Sheng had previously made three apheresis donations. However, as it was a challenge for him to keep his weight steady at 50kg (one of the minimum requirements to make apheresis donations), he continued with whole blood donations instead.

Blood is vital to life

Even as the pandemic raged around Singapore, Yong Sheng was not deterred from donating blood. 

“I did not think it would be dangerous, as everyone was masked up. Furthermore, the demand for blood is always there. Blood is indispensable for saving or sustaining lives,” he explained.

On top of that, Yong Sheng also looks forward to collecting new stress balls at every donation; having amassed a collection of over 20 stress balls thus far. 

“I appreciate how the stress balls always represent different groups of people; my personal favourite being the Army stress ball,” he shared.

Using social media to encourage blood donation

The bigger challenge would be convincing his friends to donate blood, particularly since many are fearful of needles. Over the years, Yong Sheng has made it his personal mission to motivate his friends to donate blood at least once.  He has inspired 20 friends to make their maiden blood donations so far, with two of them becoming regular blood donors.

“Taking that first step, instead of not trying at all, is the easiest way to overcome a phobia of needles. Besides, the entire process is painless and the experienced nurses will take extra care of first-time donors,” said Yong Sheng.

Yong Sheng cleverly makes use of Instagram Stories to remind his friends to donate blood too. When he uploads a photo or video of himself donating blood on social media, it piques interest, with friends keen to know more out of curiosity. Yong Sheng and his friends are each other’s support and motivation in their continual efforts to donate blood.

He raised a good point, “Imagine if a family member needs blood, and does not get it. What will happen then? I encourage people to take the first step and donate blood if they can.”

More than an achievement

His commitment to regular blood donations has definitely been recognised. Yong Sheng is one of the youngest Bronze award winners at this year’s World Blood Donor Day, having made 29 blood donations in his young life. 

On receiving the Bronze Award this year, Yong Sheng shared, “Blood donation has become a part of my lifestyle. I gain satisfaction in the knowledge that I am helping others by donating blood and that my blood can save another's life. These keep me motivated to continue giving blood even when I go through rough patches in life."

Yong Sheng hopes to inspire others to make donating blood a part of their lives. He brings up the multiple blood banks and mobile blood drives located conveniently around the island, points out that the process is simple and painless, and reassures anyone interested in blood donation that it is truly hassle-free.

By Clara Lim 
Copyedited by Heidi Boon, Volunteer