Visual nudge for motorists to give blood
GEORGE TOWN: All it took was a gentle reminder and motorists gladly stopped by and donated blood.
Volunteers from Sathya Sai Baba Penang spent yesterday morning standing by the roadside along Jalan Utama holding up placards to remind drivers that Penang Hospital had a blood donation drive going on in Caring Society Complex.
Their bright red, white and black placards stood out within Jalan Utama’s streetscape of big old trees.
“In three hours, we got 53 people to stop by. Penangites are receptive to blood donation drives but sometimes we need to be reminded.
“If we hang a banner outside the Caring Society Complex, most people will drive by without seeing it.
“But when people hold placards by the roadside, everyone gets curious. And if they have time they will donate blood. It works,” volunteer Nicholas Fletcher said.
Sathya Sai Baba state coordinator
L. Saravanan said volunteers would use those placards during Thaipusam to remind devotees to drop by the blood donation centre after their prayers at the temples in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
The blood donation centre at Caring Society Complex was set up shortly after the movement control order (MCO) was issued.
Supply at the blood bank fell critically low and the state Health Department called out for help on social media.
Special passes were emailed to regular donors to allow them to travel to the blood donation centre.
Donated blood is always separated into three components to maximise the number of patients benefitting from it.
Red blood cells (to carry oxygen in the body) last for 42 days.
Plasma (yellow liquid that carries nutrients and takes away waste matter in the body) can last two years.
Platelets (vital for blood clotting in surgery patients and severely injured accident victims) only last for five days in storage.