The story of a first-time blood donor who tried 3 times before she was accepted for donation.

Mrs Soniya Vashdev Chandiramani, first registered to donate blood in 1996 when she met her husband Mr Vashi Chandiramani a Champion Blood Donor and a veteran Bloodmobile Organiser for the Singapore Sindhi Association. However, she was unable to donate blood then, due to low haemoglobin levels. One her third attempt in January 1997, she gave her first unit of blood. “I was so happy that I can join my love in saving lives” said Soniya who has donated 15 units of blood since then.

Now, a mother of 2 beautiful girls, Soniya said: “I would like to donate blood regularly, 3 to 4 times a year if possible. But, as women, it is not always possible as we have to take care of ourselves during our menstrual period and also with pregnancy and childbirth. Even though my Hb level is always on the low side, I feel perfectly fine. I do not feel tired or weak, even after blood donation. The doctor has advised me to take the iron tablets after my menstrual period and also after blood donation as the absorption of iron is doubled during these times.”

Soniya could not donate blood this January because her Hb level was a little low. With her never give up attitude, she ensures her daily intake of food includes iron-rich food like dark green leafy vegetables, especially spinach. Month after month, she visited bloodmobiles with her husband and finally donated blood at the bloodmobile organized by the Bedok CDEC in April.

Photographs

Another report by:
Shirley Ng
Blood Donor Recruitment Programme
Singapore Red Cross Society