The Gift of Blood Donation

A hand and arm on a pink background.
Photo by Aris Leoven from baseimage

 

By Kelly Patten

 

As I’m sure you’re well aware, giving birth and raising babies isn’t for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Explosive diapers, projectile vomit, and no one warns you about the variety of snot-sucking devices you’ll encounter. Not to mention the leaky boobs and the diaper-like pads you need postpartum. I knew that blood was a part of birthing, whether by C-section or vaginally. What I didn’t realize was that my blood type, A-, is incredibly rare in Thailand, with less than 1% of the Thai population having Rh- blood.

 

I recently spoke with Nancy, a blood donation advocate who helps run the Thailand Rh- Blood Donation group on Facebook. Five years ago, Nancy, who is O-, was living on Koh Samui. She donated blood regularly when she returned home to Germany but never considered donating in Thailand. One day she received an urgent call from a hospital in Surat Thani asking if she could come in to donate. At the time, Nancy shared that she didn’t really understand the urgency. She dropped her daughter off with a neighbor and took an early ferry the next day. At the hospital, Nancy learned that there was no blood available for an American man who had been in an accident in Krabi. This experience highlighted the dire nature of Rh- blood resources in Thailand and started her down the path towards advocacy. 

 

If you are in any number of Thailand Facebook groups, I’m sure you’ve seen the calls for blood donation. A man in a bike accident needs B- or a pregnant woman needs blood following an emergency C-section. Blood donation plays a crucial role in saving lives and improving public health in Thailand. While only about 0.3% of the Thai population has Rh- blood, it is present in approximately 15–20% of Western populations. Thai donors are incredibly generous with their time and blood, and as guests in this lovely land we call home, it is our responsibility to step up and donate!

A common misconception is that a person can only donate once a year, when in reality healthy individuals can donate every ninety days. Blood donation only takes about 30 minutes, which is quicker than a trip to the hair or nail salon. Thailand has also recently welcomed back UK blood donors at the National Blood Center on Henri Dunant Road.

 

So what can we do? Nancy says that the best-case scenario would be more regular donors, Rh- or not. All blood is utilized and crucial to support multiple people in critical situations, ranging from surgery to trauma care. Maintaining a blood supply allows healthcare professionals to respond immediately in emergencies, rather than waiting for a call to donate through social media.

 

Educational campaigns help to raise awareness in communities and encourage generosity and social responsibility. International schools often work with the Thai Red Cross to host blood drives, educate the school community and provide outreach. School blood drives also bring in first-time, younger donors who ideally will become regular donors.

 

January is Blood Donor Awareness Month and is dedicated to the selfless individuals who give blood to those in need. Before my pregnancy in Thailand, I never thought twice about my blood type. Now that I have two daughters who are also Rh-, the availability of blood and the generosity of strangers is constantly hovering in the back of my mind. So please, if you are able, regardless of your Rh status, give the gift of blood to start off the new year!

About the Author

Kelly is mom to Freya and Daisy and recently went back to work as an early years teacher. She previously worked as a primary educator and literacy specialist. Kelly loves reading fiction books, listening to true crime podcasts, and watching Disney princess movies.