Urgent appeal for blood donations as all blood groups are in acute shortage
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The spokesperson for the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) urgently appealed to the general public today (May 4) for immediate blood donations as the blood inventories of all blood groups are now in shortage and can only sustain four days of normal blood supply. Public support will ensure the necessary blood supply and clinical transfusion treatment for patients.
The BTS sincerely urges people from all walks of life to join in. The BTS hopes to have at least 1 100 donors daily in the coming days. The BTS appeals to eligible citizens to come forward to donate blood in the coming two weeks or as soon as possible to increase the blood inventories in order to satisfy the blood demand from hospitals to treat chronically and critically ill patients in need of transfusion. To encourage blood donors to respond to this appeal by action, all donors who donate blood at donor centres successfully from today to May 14 will receive souvenirs while stock lasts.
Anyone who is aged between 16 and 60 (donation is possible up to the age of 70 if predetermined conditions are met), weighs over 41 kg and in good health is eligible to give blood. Male and female adult donors aged 18 or above can donate every 75 days and every 105 days respectively. Youths aged between 16 and 17 can donate every 150 days.
For location and service hours of donor centres, please call 2710 1234 or visit the BTS website www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.
Ends/Thursday, May 4, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:22
Issued at HKT 11:22
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