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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) held the annual Donor Award Ceremony today (June 14) to present awards to those who have achieved 50-times donations or above (multiple of 25) during the past year. Today is also the "World Blood Donor Day (WBDD)", a special day for all countries in the world to appreciate their blood donors. This year's WBDD theme is "Voluntary Non-remunerated Blood Donations" and it is therefore specially meaningful to hold the annual Donor Award Ceremony today to publicly acknowledge our regular blood donors.
In 2008/09, the total number of donors who have achieved 25-times donations or its multiples cumulatively has reached a new high of 2,161. In view of the large number of award recipients, the BTS decides to organise one ceremony today and another one on June 21. A total of 754 donors who had achieved 50-times or above blood donations were invited to receive awards at today's ceremony, a 6% increase compared with previous year. The record keeper of blood donation in Hong Kong, Mr Li Kam Keung, had broken his record again with 425 donations. Special awards were also presented to outstanding donors in categories of Rh negative blood, whole blood (male and female) and apheresis & whole blood (male and female) donations. In addition, awards were presented to the schools and organisations that contributed outstandingly in organising blood donation programmes:
- Jean Cassels Trophy - presented to the Top 10 schools with the highest percentage of participation in blood donations in 2008/09 (App. I);
- BTS Trophy - presented to the Top 10 schools with the highest number of donations in 2008/09 (App. II); &
- Special Merit Award - presented to the Link Management Limited.
Addressing at the ceremony, officiating guest Mr Ambrose Lee Siu Kwong, the Secretary for Security, highly appreciated blood donors for their long-standing contributions to help patients. He urged blood donors to continue their regular donations and encourage more people especially the youth to join blood donation. Some patients who had received blood transfusion therapy were invited to share their personal experiences and acknowledge blood donors for their generous gift of life. In addition, students of Maryknoll College (Senior Form) gave wonderful music performance to appreciate blood donors on behalf of the BTS.
To celebrate the WBDD and as a gesture of our gratitude to blood donors, a limited edition "Q-Blood Donation Measuring Tape" (see photo enclosed) is being presented to those who give blood today until June 24, 2009. For details of the above, the public can call our hotline at 2710 1234 or visit our website at http://www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.
Ends/Sunday, June 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:04
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