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The following is issued on behalf of Hospital Authority:
The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) held the first of its annual Donor Award Ceremonies today (June 1) at the Kowloonbay International Trade and Exhibition Centre to recognise 1 849 blood donors who have cumulatively achieved 25 times of donations in 2013-14.
At the ceremony as an officiating guest, the Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Professor John Leong, remarked that there is no substitute for blood and it also has an expiry date, so the blood for treating patients remains dependent on donors' regular and voluntary donations. He said lives would still be lost even with the most professional health-care workers and advanced equipment without blood supply. Professor Leong also expressed his heart-felt gratitude to blood donors for their dedication to the city and patients.
When delivering their speech, the Deputy Chairman of Hong Kong Red Cross, Mrs Ivy Wu, and the Chairman of Blood Transfusion Service Governing Committee, Mr Philip Tsai, both recognised all the donors who received awards today. Mr Tsai said, "It is truly commendable for blood donors to have donated blood voluntarily and regularly over the years to help unrelated patients or injured individuals. They are indeed the pride of Hong Kong."
A leukaemia patient undergoing a bone marrow transplant treatment illustrated how her life restarted due to blood transfusion. A surgeon of Kwong Wah Hospital, Dr Au Yiu-kai, was also present to share his experience in treating patients with blood transfusion, bringing out the important message that blood donation changes lives.
The second Donor Award Ceremony will be held on June 8 to recognise blood donors who have donated 50 times (or multiples of 25) and outstanding mobile drive organisers including schools and organisations.
To celebrate the World Blood Donor Day on June 14, BTS will hold a series of promotional programmes including "Supporting Mum" Blood Donation Fortnight Promotion and World Blood Donor Day Online Quiz. A celebration event will be held at Ma On Shan Plaza on June 14 with inviting the World Blood Donor Day Ambassador, Kelly Chen. For further details, please visit BTS website and World Blood Donor Day Facebook Fanpage.
Ends/Sunday, June 1, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:41
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