Who would have thought that a friendly dare would turn out to be a lifelong commitment? At the age of 37, Chester Ong achieved the Medal for Life award for making more than 200 blood donations, making him the youngest blood donor to be awarded the highest accolade in 2021.

A Dare Along Orchard Road

Chester was strolling along Orchard Road with his friends when they were approached to donate blood at a mobile drive. His friends challenged each other to donate blood. As it turned out, Chester, then aged 16, was the only one among his friends eligible for blood donation that day. That marked the beginning of his blood donation journey. 

Regular Donor with a Fear of Needles

"With my fear of needles, I've never looked at the needles during my blood donations. But with the Covid-19 vaccinations these two years, I’m more comfortable now,” he shares.

Besides the fear of needles, Chester feels that time plays a big part in blood donation too. 

Though Chester started out making whole blood donations, he subsequently made the switch to apheresis donations. As apheresis donations are typically more time-consuming (approximately 90 minutes each donation) than whole blood donations (about 30 minutes), he has to set aside more time for each donation.

Currently working as a public servant, Chester sets aside time for blood donation and family by taking leave from his work during weekdays for the donation so that he can spend time with his family on weekends. 

When asked about how he makes the effort to donate blood, he chimed, “After each appointment, I just make the next one and show up. I have a supportive wife and family, who will take care of my kids whenever I donate blood, especially during the weekends.” 

212 Donations and Counting

His perseverance paid off as in 2021 he was awarded the highest accolade for blood donation. Awarded to donors who have achieved the milestone of 150–200 donations, Chester was the youngest recipient of the Medal for Life award in 2021. 

“I’m honoured to be recognised together with the other award recipients. All blood donations are equally important. I look forward to seeing more people step forward as blood donors,” he says.

Providing Youths Early Exposure to Blood Donations

Having first embarked on his blood donation journey when he was a youth, he felt it is imperative to expand the blood donor pool by inculcating the importance of blood donation early on among the younger generation. 

When Chester learnt that only 22 percent of blood donors are youths (aged 16 to 25 years old), he proposed adding a blood donation-themed play area for children at the blood banks. 

“It provides the assurance to parents like me that the children are engaged while they are donating blood. The blood donation-themed area will provide exposure to children on blood donation. Our youth are passionate, and they want to make a positive difference. I’m sure if we find the right way to engage them, more will eventually step up,” he explains.

Passionate about blood donation, Chester will continue donating blood until he is unable to do so.

“My blood donation journey is most rewarding when I know that I have made a positive difference in people’s lives. While I do not have much to contribute in other ways, I have blood! I cannot think of another easier way to contribute to society and save lives, [than] just by sitting down for two hours every month,” he quips.

By Queenie Ho
Copyedited by Michael Gutierrez, Volunteer