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While many people are busy planning their summer activities, many patients are still waiting for blood - in particular type O blood which recently has a higher demand from hospitals. The Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) appeals to people who are O blood group to donate as soon as possible.
This summer, with the generous support from the Reader's Digest Association Far East Limited, the BTS has organised the "Welcome Back – Let's Give Blood in Summer" activity. Donors who give blood between July 24 and August 31, 2006, will be presented with a complimentary copy of Reader's Digest.
People aged from 16 to 65, weighing more than 41 kgs (around 90 pounds) and in good health are welcome to give blood. The BTS highly encourages donors to donate regularly. Males aged 18 or above can give blood every three months and females can donate every four months. Youngsters aged 16 to 17 can donate every six months and need their parent’s consent for their first donation. For enquiries about blood donation, the public can call the BTS hotline at 2710 1234 or visit the BTS web-site at http://www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.
Regular blood donation saves lives. There is no substitute for blood; patients entirely rely on the generous donation from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors.
Ends/Thursday, July 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:03
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