In Kamuzu Central Hospital, I met a woman who had a child in need of blood transfusion. She was just asking every passers-by to help her by donating blood to her sick child. No one responded. I began to think that if there were many blood donors or many people coming forward to give, the woman would not be in such a condition.
When 23-year-old Conipher Pipe began donating blood with Malawi Blood Transfusion Service in 2005 at Chipasula Secondary School in Lilongwe, little did he know that he had embarked on a journey that would see him being recognised for donating blood 28 times during the World Blood Donor Day commemorations.World Blood Donor DayThe day is commemorated annually and is promoted by World Health Organization, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Society of Blood Transfusion, International Federation of Blood Donor Organisations and other international organisations involved in blood donation activities to honour and thank those people who donate blood on a voluntary non-remunerated basis, without any reward except that of personal satisfaction of having helped to save someone's life.This year, 2013, Malawi Blood Transfusion Service in conjunction with the Blood Donors Association of Malawi and the Ministry of Health will commemorate the World Blood Donor Day under the theme: Give the Gift of Life: Donate Blood.More than twenty-five people, among whom Pipe is included, will receive certificates of recognition for donating blood for a minimal 20 times.Pipe, the father of two boys and a taxi driver plying trade in the streets of Lilongwe has donated blood 28 times since 2005.He hails from Kamwendo Village, Traditional Authority Mkanda in Phalombe. He moved to Lilongwe in the late 90s with his father, who works at one of the commercial banks in the city, to continue his primary school education."For me to start donating blood, it was out of compassion," he says, and continues, "in 2004, while I was at Chipasula Secondary School, I went to Kamuzu Central Hospital to see my aunt who was admitted there."While moving along the corridors of Kamuzu Central Hospital, I met a woman who had a child in need of blood transfusion. She was just asking every passers-by to help her by donating blood to her sick child. No one responded."Pipe says he passed by the woman, stopped and thought about the state in which the woman's predicament.What if there were many blood donors?"I began to think that if there were many blood donors or many people coming forward to give, the woman would not be in such a condition," he said.Pipe went back to the woman and helped by donating the blood to her sick child."Luckily, my blood group matched with that of her child," he said, and added: "I donated out of compassion and did not expect anything as the woman was not in a position to have the money to give anyone for donating blood to her child."That was 2004 when Pipe went to the referal hospital to see her aunt.Since that time the experience has been resonating in his mind, thinking: "If there can be a way that many people can start giving blood, many lives would be saved. Where can I give blood? Is it only at the hospital or somewhere else?"Pipe says his questions were answered when in 2005 the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service visited his school to conduct blood donation session. "I was not afraid after going through such an experience at the hospital, seeing a woman begging people along the hospital corridor so that she can save her child's life," he added.Now Conipher Pipe is a regular blood donor. He says he is proud to be one of the people who donate blood and also those who would be recognised.Each time he donates blood, he says, he feels relaxedHe describes blood donation as a wonderful experience. Each time he donates blood, he says, he feels relaxed."One time I asked the nurse about this and she told me that it is because I am now used to donating blood. So I am very happy," he said.Pipe adds that things have changed now than when he first started. "So many things have improved at the moment. I love the link that is there between the nurses and me. They receive me warmly when I visit the centre to give blood, they greet me and make me relax while giving blood. I do not know whether it is because I have been donating blood for long," he says.He says until age catches up with him, he will continue giving blood to save lives. "Sometimes I wish there were many people to donate blood as this could reduce blood shortage in the hospitals. Sometimes I talk to my friends encouraging them to donate."If there was a way of using drama to encourage more young people to donate blood it would make a bit of a difference," Pipe muses.To fellow Malawians, Pipe says it was time people start visiting hospitals to understand the blood shortage situation. This, he believes, would encourage many to become blood donors and save more lives."It has been a long journey but one I hardly noticed," he says, savouring the experience that after 28 donations, he will now be recognised.The author, Allen Kaombe, is Public Relations Officer for Malawi Blood Transfusion Service