******************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of Hospital Authority:
The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS)' new blood donation advertisement with the slogan "Be a regular blood donor, save lives" will be launched on all local TV and radio stations on Monday (September 17).
The BTS was very grateful to youth idols, Charlene Choi, Law Chi Cheung and Mandy Chiang for their excellent performance and hoped more people would be motivated to become regular blood donors. In addition to TV and radio stations, the advertisement and its making would also be available for viewing at the BTS website at http://www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.
A BTS spokesman said that about 200,000 blood donations were needed in Hong Kong each year to meet hospital demands. With the growing and ageing of the local population, it was estimated that demand for blood would gradually increase by 25% in the coming 20 years.
"To continue meeting the increasing demands, the BTS will need more people to join and make regular blood donations. People who are aged 16 to 65, weigh more than 41 kilogrammes (about 90 pounds) and in good health are welcome to give blood. Males can give blood every three months while females can donate every four months; youngsters aged 16 -17 every six months with parents' consent for the first blood donation," the spokesman said.
As an incentive, a specially designed Regular Donor Badge (see photo attached) will be presented to male donors who have achieved three donations and female donors or donors aged 16-17 who have achieved two blood donations during a one-year period from April 1 this year to March 31 next year.
"The BTS sincerely invites more people to become regular blood donors. Every drop of blood means new hope for those who are in need of blood transfusion. For information about blood donation, people are welcome to call the hotline at 2710 1234 or visit the BTS website," the spokesman said.
Ends/Saturday, September 15, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:01
NNNN
