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Blood has no substitute - patients entirely depend on donations by voluntary and non-remunerated donors for transfusion therapy.
In Hong Kong, we need some 200,000 blood donations a year to meet hospital demands. With the growing and ageing of the population, demand for blood will continue to increase. To ensure an adequate supply, we need more people to donate blood regularly. "Regular Blood Donations Save Lives - Love to Come Back" is our 2006 blood donation slogan.
Based on that theme, a brand new TV and radio advertisement has been produced and will be premiered at all local TV and radio stations on Monday (August 14), featuring popular youth idols Alex Fong and Stephy Tang. We hope that more members of the public, especially youths, will respond to our call by regularly donating blood. The new TV advertisement will also be available for viewing at the BTS website (http://www.ha.org.hk/rcbts).
Members of the public who are aged 16 to 65, weigh over 41 kgs (around 90 pounds) and are in good health are welcome to donate blood. Youngsters aged 16 - 17 can donate every six months with their parents' consent for the first donation. Adult males can give blood every three months whereas females can donate every four months.
As an incentive, the BTS has launched the Regular Donor Retention scheme to attract more blood donors. A specially designed Regular Donor Badge will be presented to those who have achieved the following number of donations during the one-year period from April 1 to March 31 next year:
Youngsters aged 16 - 17: 2 times
Females aged 18 or above: 2 times and above
Males aged 18 or above: 3 times and above.
Regular blood donation saves lives. The BTS calls on the public to make regular blood donations. For enquiries, the public can call our hotline, 2710 1234 or visit the BTS website, http://www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.
Ends/Friday, August 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:25
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