Like Father, Like Daughter

As she prepares to accept her Youthphoria medallion, Ms Candice Tan Hui Jun reflects on her journey from a young observer of her father's commitment to becoming a dedicated blood donor in her own right. 

Growing up, Ms Candice Tan remembers the small puncture mark on her father's arm after he returned from donating platelets.

“Every time my dad removed the bandage on his arm, there would be a little hole — and it honestly made me wince. I couldn't imagine how painful it must be. That image really stuck with me and made me a bit scared of the whole blood donation process.”

Yet years later, at the minimum eligible age of 16, Candice found herself nervously sitting at the same blood bank her father had frequented for years. 

Walking In Her Father’s Footsteps

Her dad never pressured her to donate. Instead, he would share stories about why he started and why he kept going back. As she listened to these stories, something shifted in Candice's perspective. 

She started reading more about blood donation and learnt that just one donation could potentially save three lives. Suddenly, her fear of a small needle prick seemed so insignificant compared to what others were going through.

“Knowing that I can be a small part of someone’s second chance, or even their survival, is what drives me to keep showing up to donate blood.”

Overcoming Obstacles with Support

“The most challenging part about donating blood regularly is maintaining a healthy iron level. Even though I’ve tried taking iron supplements and adjusting my diet to include more iron-rich foods, my levels still sometimes fall short.”

Thankfully, Candice's family has been supportive throughout her donor journey, especially her father. And as the only one in her family inspired by her father to become a donor, Candice feels a special responsibility to carry on his legacy.

Thank You, SRC Volunteers

While the journey wasn’t easy, especially at the start, what kept her coming back time after time are the meaningful connections she's formed and the other individuals who she met who inspires her to keep giving. 

“Small interactions with the staff at the bloodbank. They’re always so kind, welcoming, and easy to talk to. It’s not just donors making an impact, but the whole team — playing such a big role in helping lives behind the scenes.”

Youthphoric About It

Her commitment hasn't gone unnoticed. This year, Candice will receive the Youthphoria medallion recognising her consistent donations as a youth. It's not something she ever expected when she first started — she just wanted to help in whatever small way she could. However, receiving this recognition makes her reflect on the journey and the impact each donation might have had.

Her example has created ripple effects among her peers. Some of her friends have been inspired to start donating after seeing her do it. They've even started scheduling donation dates together, making it a social activity with purpose.

“If you’re thinking about donating but feeling nervous, I totally get it. I felt the same way before I started. But honestly, the process isn’t as scary as it seems. Taking that first step might feel intimidating, but once you do it, you’ll realize how much of an impact you can have. Plus, it’s a great feeling knowing you’re helping others, and it’s not as tough as you might think.”

Written by Eunice Sng, Marketing & Communications