Urgent appeal for blood donation as blood inventory drops below normal level
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The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) urgently appealed to members of the public today (September 21) for blood donation of all blood types immediately to maintain a normal blood supply.
The BTS spokesperson said that many residents travelled abroad during the Mid-autumn Festival holidays last week. Therefore, while blood donation activities in schools have just resumed in the new academic year, the daily target of 1 100 donors has not been achieved recently. With consistently high blood demand from hospitals, the general blood inventories have been depleted to a new low level.
The spokesperson also pointed out that the upcoming National Day and Chung Yeung Festival holidays will likely lead to a lower level of blood collection. The BTS urges those who have never donated blood or are suitable to donate again to support blood donation. The BTS hopes that an additional 100 blood donors each day will come forward to donate blood to replenish the blood inventories. Only when more people form a habit of regular donation can the BTS steadily provide sufficient blood for chronically and critically ill patients throughout the year.
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 kilograms and is 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 16 to 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/Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:22
Issued at HKT 18:22
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