Caring Day

Before I started working at Hemofarm, I regularly went to hospital to donate blood. Even then, I would often encounter comments from doctors and nurses: ‘You are so young, and you have already donated blood so many times.’ For me it was something normal, something that was taken for granted and that I did for humane reasons. Someone desperately needs our blood.

When I started working at Hemofarm in 2005, I joined regular voluntary blood donation campaigns. In addition to the fact that Hemofarm as a company care about the health of its employees, there are also frequent campaigns of helping others. The response in the company is always great, because the company constantly appeals to join them. I am most happy when I see that new colleagues, new blood donors have joined us. Everyone is motivated by that humane moment. People are sometimes motivated by personal stories, but the most important thing is to respond to the invitation.

That's how I got all the support when my father got sick. He was lying in hospital and losing a lot of blood. He needed five units of blood. I had already donated blood at the time and was worried whether the hospital would have enough of this precious liquid. When I realized how much everyone at the hospital sacrificed and strived to find blood, I decided that I would never stop being a voluntary donor as long as I am healthy and able to donate blood. Since then, I have devoted more time to convincing those around me to join voluntary blood donation. People are not aware of the fact that voluntary blood donation is above all healthy for the donor. Before donating blood, the only important thing is that you feel well and that you have had enough sleep. It is also important that you are rested, that you have not taken antibiotics. All this is additionally checked by health professionals. It is also important that people know that it is good to eat before donating blood. That's what I do, and it's proven to be good. After donating blood, it is recommended to rest, drink plenty of fluids, especially water.

As a woman who most often donated blood in Hemofarm, as many as 35 times, I am always happy when people are delighted by my actions and humanity. I hope that, in this way, I motivate them to respond to a campaign. Hemofarm, on the other hand, always finds a way to support us and thank us for the humanity that is woven into the company's DNA. They organize excursions and trips, thank you notes and gifts. However, we get the greatest joy and satisfaction from social gatherings, because that's where we bond.

I continue to donate blood regularly and invite my colleagues to join me. It is important that we become aware of the importance of that act and that we do not wait until someone close to us needs this precious liquid in order to learn what it means to be humane, to care about health of others, because that is how we will take care of ourselves in the future.

Author: Julijana Tolkin, Cleaning Lady, Hemofarm, Vršac

Source: Hemofarm Foundation - Caring Day (fondacijahemofarm.org.rs)