"I heard people avoid blood donation due to COVID-19, but please participate in blood donation"
On the morning of October 26, a citizen is heading to the injection room for vaccination at the COVID-19 vaccination center set up at the Mapo-gu Community Sports Center in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] The parents of a sixth-grade elementary school girl who was diagnosed with acute leukemia just five days after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine have appealed for people to participate in blood donation of 'RH+ A type platelets' needed for her treatment.
According to a media report on the 6th, A, who lives in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongbuk, completed her second Pfizer vaccination at a local clinic on the 22nd of last month. Two days later, on the 24th, she suddenly collapsed at school, experiencing difficulty breathing and dizziness.
The day after she collapsed, on the 25th of last month, she visited a hospital in Gumi for blood tests and other examinations, which revealed poor platelet levels. Consequently, A was transferred to Gyeongbuk National University Hospital in Chilgok and was diagnosed with acute leukemia on the 27th of last month.
Since the diagnosis, A has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment starting from the 1st of this month. According to her parents, she is struggling with symptoms such as vomiting following the chemotherapy.
Furthermore, to slow the progression of the disease and continue effective treatment, a steady supply of RH+ A type platelets is essential, but there is a significant shortage. A’s mother appealed, "We are urgently seeking platelets for treatment. I have heard that people are reluctant to donate blood due to COVID-19, but please participate in blood donation."
Those willing to donate blood for A can contact Gyeongbuk National University Hospital in Chilgok or the Blood Donation Center. Donors must bring their ID and a designated blood donation referral form when going to donate.
However, according to the Korean Red Cross, individuals who have received a vaccine cannot donate blood for seven days from the date of vaccination. If there are adverse reactions after vaccination, blood donation is not allowed for seven days from the day symptoms disappear. Blood donation is possible from seven days after the first vaccine dose until before the second dose, and after the second dose, donation is allowed again seven days from the vaccination date.
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