Thanks to a successful #iDonateLK blood donation campaign held back in 2014, the Twitter community has rallied once again using social media to bring publicity for the #iDonateLK 2 campaign. An idea that started off with one tweet soon amassed huge support on twitter and eventually led towards the first ever #iDonateLK blood donation campaign organised completely via social media. 

People often fail to realize the importance of donating blood. Blood transfusions are a boon for patients suffering from life threatening conditions, childbirth complications and for victims of accidents. The process of encouraging voluntary donors also leads to safer transfusions devoid of infections, which are likely when next of kin have no choice but to donate due to lack of availability of required blood group. Thus, blood donation campaigns such as #iDonateLK have been paving way and providing opportunities for more people to donate and save a life. 

Gayathri Seneviratne, one of the organisers of the event, had this to say: "I'm really glad that we were able to organize the second #iDonateLK camp this year with the help of a wonderful group of people. #iDonateLK is a blood donation camp that's organized and promoted virtually with the support of online media and PR publications. We got close to 50 donors last time and hoping to reach a 100 this year. Donating blood is perhaps the easiest form of donating a part of yourself. In my experience of helping patients directly, seeing the relief and joy in their faces is the ultimate satisfaction. Thank you to those who'll be there, to those who tried to be there and to all of you who'll go donate whenever you possibly can!" 

So what are you waiting for? If you are eligible, help save a life. #iDonateLK 2 will take place on Saturday the 7th of May from 8.30am to 4pm at the National Blood Transfusion Service - Sri Lanka located at 555/5D, Elvitigala Road, Narahenpita, Colombo 5. 

We have compiled a list of eligibility requirements as well as other info you need to know courtesy of redcrossblood.org to help get you started. 

Eligibility Requirements 

Blood Donors Must: 

- Be In Good General Health meaning you feel well and you can perform normal activities and be devoid of any infectious disease. 

- Be at least 17 years old in most states or 16 years old with parental consent if allowed by state law. 

- Weigh at least 110 lbs. Additional weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school donors. 

Tips for a Successful Donation 

Before Your Donation 

- Maintain a healthy iron level in your diet by eating iron rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals and raisins. 

- Get a good night's sleep. 

- Drink an extra 16 oz. of water or nonalcoholic fluids before the donation. 

- Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods, such as hamburgers, fries or ice cream before donating. (Fatty foods can affect the tests we do on your blood. If there is too much fat in your blood, your donation cannot be tested for infectious diseases and the blood will not be used for transfusion.) 

- If you are a platelet donor, remember that your system must be free of aspirin for two days prior to donation. 

- Remember to bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID. 

During Your Donation 

- Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow. 

- Let the person taking your blood know if you have a preferred arm and show them any good veins that have been used successfully in the past to draw blood. 

- Relax, listen to music, talk to other donors or read during the donation process. 

- Take the time to enjoy a snack and a drink in the refreshments area immediately after donating. 

After Your Donation 

- Drink an extra four (8 ounce) glasses of liquids and avoid alcohol over the next 24 hours. 

- Remove the wrap bandage (if you had one put on your arm) within the next hour. Keep the strip bandage on for the next several hours. 

- To avoid a skin rash, clean the area around the strip bandage with soap and water. 

- Do not do any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day. 

- If the needle site starts to bleed, apply pressure to it and raise your arm straight up for about 5-10 minutes or until bleeding stops. 

- If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness after donation, stop what you are doing and sit down or lie down until you feel better. Avoid performing any activity where fainting may lead to injury for at least 24 hours. 

By Rihaab Mowlana