Urgent appeal for blood donation amid alarming inventory level (with photo)
***************************************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (November 14) appealed to members of the public to donate blood as the inventories of all blood types have been depleted to an alarming level amid persistent high demand from local hospitals. In the coming week, more donors are needed to donate and replenish the blood bank immediately so that a stable blood supply can be maintained for clinical transfusion treatment of patients.

     The spokesperson stated that even though the BTS had made an appeal at the end of October, the daily number of blood donors in the past few weeks has not reached the daily target of 1,100 and the blood supply and demand are now under great pressure. The BTS urges all sectors in the community to support blood donation.

     The service hours of the Shatin and Kwun Tong Donor Centres will be extended to 8pm from November 17 to 19 (Friday to Sunday) to facilitate blood donation by members of the public:

* Shatin Donor Centre
Address: 1/F, Hong Kong Red Cross Bradbury Shatin Centre, 1A Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin
Service hours: 11am to 8pm

* Kwun Tong Donor Centre
Address: Units 2301 and 2316, 23/F, Millennium City 5, 418 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong
Service hours: 11am to 8pm
 
     All donors who donate blood from tomorrow (November 15) to November 26 will be given an "I'm a Blood Donor" travel pouch (see picture) while stocks last.
 
     Please visit the BTS website www.ha.org.hk/rcbts or call 2710 1234 for details of donor centres.

Ends/Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:40

NNNN