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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The World Health Organisation, the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organisations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion have jointly designated June 14 (the birthday of the Nobel Prize winner, Karl Landsteiner who discovered the blood ABO group) each year as the "World Blood Donor Day", to recognise and appreciate blood donors whose generous donations have saved many lives.
With the celebration theme this year being "Giving Blood Regularly", the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service will be holding the annual donor award ceremony to appreciate regular blood donors who have achieved 25-times donations or its multiples cumulatively in the past year.
As a gesture of appreciation and to commemorate this year's "World Blood Donor Day", the Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) will present to those who give blood between June 14-30 with a "You're a Smart Blood Donor¡¨ mobile phone cleaner and a "World Blood Donor Day Commemorative Pin" (see photo enclosed).
Both are ready for donors to collect while stocks last. For details of the promotion, the public can call 2710 1234 or visit the BTS website at http://www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.
With the ageing of the local population, the number of patients who need blood transfusions for treatment is increasing. To cope with this increasing demand, more people are urged to give blood regularly.
Ends/Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:18
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