I trawl http://www.whatshappening.sg/events/ regularly to check out whats happening in SG. (Usually buffets in your area seem to be the norm) But once in a while the rare gem comes along. I discovered the Singapore Futurists Societylast week; this week I was going to catch a Singapore Slingers (yup, Singaporean national basketball, I’m bored) thing as well as work on an essay competition, but both plans fell apart. I got really excited, however, when I saw a listing for a blood donation drive. Its easy and people really don’t do enough of it.
Can't really do any wrong there
Check out the drive as well as a list of its locations here: http://www.whatshappening.sg/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=27235&month=01&year=2009
As well as regular schedules here: http://www.donorweb.org/singapore-bloodmobiles/ in all areas of Singapore.
However I was fully disappointed when I did some due diligence (oh how wharton has consumed me) and found that:
“You SHOULD NOT donate blood: If you have taken anti-malarial medication – you must wait at least three years upon your return to Singapore before you can give blood.
THREE YEARS?!
According to google results, Red blood cells have an average life of 120 days, white cells have an average of 80 years. What does three years accomplish? No reason given. =( I would donate my blood anyway in rebellion but that’s probably not going to be productive.
that is probably because the medicine or the antibodies triggered could stay in the blood for up to 3 years.
on the other hand, the medicine is damn good….