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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service is inviting people to help create a new Easter record.
According to the Government's statistics, due to the increasing and ageing of the local population, it is estimated that the demand for blood will gradually increase by 25% in the coming 20 years. Recently, there has been a number of patients requiring large amounts of blood for urgent transfusion, as reflected by the significant increase in hospitals' demand for blood supply. To ensure adequate supply and replenish the territory's blood stock, about 1,500 people are needed every day to give blood.
During the Easter holiday which begins tomorrow, the demand for blood will not stop. Patients will still need transfusions. In past years, blood donations over the four-day Easter holiday have never exceeded 2,000 units. This year, the Blood Transfusion Service is inviting people to help make a new record of 3,000 people donating blood during the holiday period. To encourage more people to join our effort, a "Love Thermal Mug" will be presented to those who give blood from March 21-31. The "Love Thermal Mug" comes in three stylish colours - red, orange and purple. The gift is available only while stocks last.
For service hours of Blood Donor Centres, people can call the hotline at 2710 1234 or visit the website at http://www.ha.org.hk/rcbts for details.
Ends/Thursday, March 20, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:31
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