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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (February 1) organised the Community Spring Blood Donation Campaign kick-off ceremony to recognise organisations with outstanding participation in blood donation last year and to appeal to the various sectors in the community to support blood donation during Lunar New Year to ensure adequate supply.
Officiating at ceremony, Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said the demand for blood will increase by 25% in the coming 25 years, mostly for elderly patients who account for the bulk of blood utilisation. To assure blood supply, the BTS needs more people to join in regular donation. As fewer people will donate blood during the Lunar New Year period, Dr Chow appealed to the public to give blood during the festive period to help save patients in need.
The organisations attending the ceremony have all achieved outstanding participation in blood donation last year. They included the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (banking sector), Hong Kong Police Force (disciplinary force sector), the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (educational sector), Television Broadcasts Limited (media sector), Manulife (International) Limited (insurance sector), PCCW Limited (telecommunication sector), Hong Kong Housing Authority (government department sector), Harbour Plaza North Point (tourism sector) and Kai Shing Management Services Limited (property management service sector). In addition to receiving recognition, representatives of these organisations also joined in blood donation with Dr Chow at the ceremony.
To show appreciation, donors giving blood during Lunar New Year will be presented with a gift "fortune crystal blood drop" (see photo attached) from today to February 21. Additional gifts, the "sweet fortune bag" and the "fortune tiger key chain", will also be presented from February 10 to 13 and on February 15 respectively. All blood donor centres have been decorated for the Lunar New Year. Donors may be able to meet the God of Fortune there to wish them "kung hei fat choi".
For the service hours of blood donor centres during the Lunar New Year holiday, the public can call the hotline at 2710 1234 or visit the website at www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.
Ends/Monday, February 1, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:22
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