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The following is issued on behalf of Hospital Authority:
The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) staged its second annual Donor Award Ceremony today (June 9) at the Kowloonbay International Trade and Exhibition Centre, at which 917 blood donors were commended for achieving 50 donations or more (multiples of 25) during the last year.
Addressing the audience at the ceremony, the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, said that in addition to healthcare professionals and advanced equipment, Hong Kong also relies on voluntary non-remunerated blood donations, which is indispensable in the course of treatment.
"Some 170 000 blood donors gave 244 594 units of blood last year, a 4.4 per cent increase year on year. The blood collected was processed into 616 293 units, which were supplied to hospitals. While we have achieved self-sufficiency in blood supply, we are at the same time facing an ever increasing blood demand due to the ageing of the local population. We must thus continue our efforts in promoting the importance of blood donation to save lives in the local community," said Dr Ko.
The ever increasing blood demand due to the ageing population has already brought about a 17 per cent rise in blood demand during the past five years. According to the Hospital Authority and BTS data, medical and geriatric patients account for half of annual blood utilisation. Currently, some 5 million local citizens are within the blood donation age bracket, but only some three per cent of them have taken part in this meaningful act, said Dr Ko.
Dr Ko hoped more people can donate blood to maintain a stable blood supply and that the awardees could encourage their friends and family, notably the young generations, to give blood regularly. Many youngsters give blood for the first time at school. He expected they would maintain giving blood regularly as a habit after leaving school.
At today's Ceremony, the Chairman of the Blood Transfusion Service Governing Committee, Mr Philip Tsai, also commended the donors receiving awards, saying that they are indeed the pride of Hong Kong. With today's fast pace of life, it is truly a commendable act for those who donate blood voluntarily to help unrelated patients or injured individuals, he said.
Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Leung Pak-yin; Deputy Chairman of Hong Kong Red Cross, Mrs Patricia Ling Wo Sau-hau; Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster, Dr Hung Che-tim; and Deputy Chairman of the Blood Transfusion Service Governing Committee, Mr Ambrose Ho.
A patient who suffered from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and had received large quantity of plasma for exchange therapy, and his attending physician, also attended the ceremony to give an account of blood transfusion therapy, voicing the important message that blood donation changes lives.
Awards to recognise outstanding donors in the categories of Rh negative blood, whole blood and combined apheresis, and whole blood donations were also presented at the ceremony. The schools and organisations that have made extraordinary contributions in organising blood donation events in the past year were also recognised. They include:
* Jean Cassels Trophy - to the 10 schools with the highest percentage of participation in blood donations (Appendix I);
* BTS Trophy - to the 10 schools with the highest number of donations (Appendix II); and
* Special Merit Award – to the Hong Kong Police Force.
In addition, the winners and runners-up of the poster and souvenir cover design competitions held last year also received their trophies.
To celebrate World Blood Donor Day, the BTS will launch the "Gift of Life" Blood Donation Week from June 10 to 18. A special gift will be presented to all the donors (while stocks last) as a gesture of appreciation for their gift of life to patients. For further details, please visit World Blood Donor Day Facebook page (www.facebook.com/worldblooddonorday2013) or call BTS hotline 2710 1234.
Ends/Sunday, June 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:37
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