Michael Octaviano, Blood for Brotherhood

Zulkarnaini

· 5 minutes read

The Blood for Life Foundation in Aceh aims to overcome blood scarcity and connect donors with patients. This blood donor movement brings together donors and patients’ families, from which brotherhood is established.

In early 2010, Michael Octaviano, a resident of Banda Aceh, Aceh province, lost a friend to dengue fever. In the treatment process, the friend needed a lot of blood. However, his family found it difficult to find donors.

The incident continuously disturbed Michael’s mind. He thought, if at that time the need for blood could be fulfilled, his friend might have been saved. He was surprised by the fact that in such a densely populated city, it was difficult to get a few bags of blood.

“I’m sure many people have experienced a similar situation,” Michael said on Friday (March 22, 2019) in Banda Aceh.

A few months after the death of his best friend, Michael visited Aceh General Hospital and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in Banda Aceh. He wanted to learn of the procedures a family of a patient had to go to get blood.

What he found in the field made him sad. For some families, getting a bag of blood is not easy. At that time, there was a rule requiring the family of a patient to bring a substitute donor before taking blood from the PMI.

Once, he met a father sitting all night on the terrace of the PMI hoping for a bag of blood for his wife, but he failed to find a replacement donor.

He also found someone who sold his blood for Rp 500,000 per bag. For the sake of health medication, the patient’s family was forced to buy it. “In here [Banda Aceh], they have no relatives so it is difficult to find donors,” Michael said.

In this region, Michael said, many identity cards (IDs) belonging to the patients’ families were kept as guarantees when they took blood and would be returned if there was a replacement donor. “There are some IDs that are still in the hospital because they have yet to bring a replacement donor even though the patient has died,” said Michael.

Driven by that situation, Michael took the initiative to start a blood donor movement so that blood shortages could be overcome. Michael believes that if blood donations become the norm, there will be no case of patients having difficulties in getting blood.

Build movement

In 2010, Michael worked at the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) in Aceh. He served as head of the office section. Michael discussed the concept of blood donors with staff. Michael’s idea was welcomed with enthusiasm. The first movement is to organize regular blood drives every three months at the office. The interest of staff members is quite high, with staff from other agencies also participating. A blood drive was once able to collect 300 bags.

Michael is excited. Donor participants are recorded in full name, place of residence, and contact number. Donors are generally willing to become donors to help patients who need blood.

In order to make it more organized, Michael established the Blood for Life Foundation (BFLF), which means blood for life. BFLF is a bridge to find donors with families of the patients. At present BFLF has been established in 18 regencies/cities in Aceh.

The BFLF now has around 5,000 active donors spread throughout Aceh.

If there are people who need blood, they can contact BFLF volunteers in the local area. The message was then passed on to the donor through volunteers’ WhatsApp group and residents.

BFLF works with hospitals. When patients have difficulty in getting blood, the medical team directs the patient’s family to contact BFLF. Then the volunteers will find donor whose place of residence is closest to the patient.

After volunteers find a would be donor, the family of a patient is asked to meet with the donor at PMI or at the hospital. If the donor is constrained by transportation, the patient’s family can pick up the donor at his or her home.

Michael said the two sides need to know each other so that social relations are built. At the very least, the patient’s family can thank the donor directly. “A drop of blood means a lot to patients because blood cannot be replaced with anything,” Michael said.

If at any time the donor and the patient’s family meet again, brotherhood is getting tighter. Imagine if the brotherhood is maintained, the potential for conflict between citizens is reduced. That is the reason why the BFLF requires patient families to meet with donors. “Blood donation is a field of charity and brotherhood,” Michael said.

Volunteers move on the basis of humanity. They are not paid. There is a message that is always conveyed to those who become donors, namely the need for blood is like arisan (social gathering). Everyone will get a turn. “Today, we are the donors, tomorrow would be the turn of other people who become donors for us,” Michael said.

This blood donation movement began to be extended to several regions in Indonesia. At present BFLF branches in Lampung, Makassar, West Nusa Tenggara, Central Sulawesi, Jakarta and East Nusa Tenggara have been formed. Michael said if a donation like this is implemented throughout Indonesia, he believes the need for blood is fulfilled.

“I am ready to share experiences with anyone so that this will become a humanitarian movement in Indonesia. I am sure that blood donation can strengthen national unity,” he said.

Another BFLF activity is providing shelter for patients who have to undergo routine care, provide free ambulance services for underprivileged patients and socialize blood donation movements.

In 2014, the BFLF Aceh received an award from the Ministry of Social Affairs as the best social organization at the national level.

Michael Octaviano

Born: Medan, Oct. 10, 1980

Wife: Sari Haslinur

Job: Civil servant at the Social Affairs Office in Aceh

Activity: Chairman of BFLF

Email: bloodforlifefoundation@gmail.com

Editor:

kompascetak