Woman Expresses Dismay After Blood Donation Rejected Due to Policy
A woman who wanted to donate her rare blood type was left disappointed after her donation was turned down because of a rule she didn’t expect.
Recently, Mia Magdalena, a Facebook user, with O-negative blood, shared her experience after her blood donation was allegedly rejected. The post quickly circulated online and elicited comments from the netizens.
Mia went to the Philippine Red Cross ready to donate blood for someone in urgent need. Her blood type, O-negative, is extremely rare in Asia and is known as the universal donor type. It can be used for any blood group in emergencies, but those who have it can only receive the same type, making it very valuable and hard to replace.
However, she was told she couldn’t donate yet. While international standards like those of the American Red Cross allow whole blood donations every 56 days, the Philippine Red Cross follows a three-month rule.
Since her last donation was in early April, she was informed she could only donate again by July 1.
Although Mia understood the importance of rules, she shared that rare blood types should be considered differently, especially when lives are at risk. She pointed out that there are cases where someone with O-negative blood is urgently needed, and having strict guidelines without flexibility may cost lives.
“Please don’t get me wrong. I’ll show up on July 1, no questions asked, if the patient still needs my blood. I’ll give again, willingly. Because when you know your blood can help save a life, you don’t think twice,” she wrote.
Magdalena also recalled moments when her blood had to travel long distances to reach those in need, simply because O-negative supply is so limited.
Luckily, the Philippine Red Cross later responded, showing compassion and promising to look into her concerns. They also connected her with their officer in charge of Rh-negative donors.
The internet users expressed their reactions to the post:
