Mobile blood drives at government departments commence (with photo)
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The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (April 17) announced the commencement of this year's annual mobile blood drive relay at various government departments to recruit donors. The Central Government Offices took the lead to support the mobile blood drives with a total of 120 civil servants participating last Friday and yesterday (April 13 and 16).
The BTS Chief Executive and Medical Director, Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong, expressed appreciation for the full support of the Government as the blood collected from donors would benefit many patients. He said the Government was one of the organisations collaborating in blood donation drives when the BTS started the service in its early years. Since then it has become a close partner of the BTS in recruiting donors. Over the years, more than 150 government departments have encouraged their staff to donate blood, including those at the Central Government Offices and all disciplinary forces.
"We hope our partnership with the Government could act as a role model for more corporate organisations and the public to actively donate blood and help patients in need. The BTS will later arrange for some of the public mobile drives hosted at the government departments to be open to members of the public as well to give blood. We welcome people from all walks of life to participate. The detailed arrangements will be announced in due course," Dr Lee said.
The BTS is the only organisation that provides blood supplies for all public and private hospitals in Hong Kong. It needs a daily turnout of 1 100 donors to ensure that sufficient supplies of safe blood are available for clinical transfusion in all hospitals. To maintain a stable blood supply, the BTS is hoping that different sectors of the community will collaborate to enhance public awareness on the importance of blood donation and thus encourage more people to become blood donors.
For more information about blood donation, please visit the BTS website www.ha.org.hk/rcbts or call 2710 1234. Members of the public can also make online appointments for blood donation.
Ends/Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Issued at HKT 14:15
Issued at HKT 14:15
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