KUCHING: The blood donation campaign organised by the Kuching Hokkien Association Youth Section yesterday was a huge success.
159 pints of blood were collected for the blood bank at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) instead of the targeted 150 pints. This was revealed by vice chairman II for MRC Kuching branch John Jong.
“The actual date for the World Blood Donor Day is actually on June 14 (Tuesday) but we are celebrating it today since it’s the weekend.
“As much as 181 donors successfully registered in today’s drive and we managed to collect 159 pints of blood. This was beyond our expectations because we targeted for 150 pints,” he said.
The Kuching Hokkien Association collaborated with the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Kuching branch and the Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations Youth Section in hosting the blood drive.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who attended the blood donation campaign at Aeroville Mall, praised the state’s success in collecting blood for the blood banks
He said this showed Sarawakians loved to do good deeds.
“In Sarawak, we are very fortunate that our local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the MRC together with the Sarawak Blood Bank have been very good in organising blood donation drives.
“Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the blood stocks have never fallen below the critical level.
“As a result, in Sarawak, we never have to pay people to donate their blood compared to other places,” he said.
The Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee said the federation would work hard to maintain the state’s record as the one of major blood donors in Malaysia.
“All the people have willingly donated their blood and I think we would like such a programme to continue,” he said.
Dr Wong Yi Shen, transfusions specialist from Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), added thanked all those in the state who had helped sustain the blood stock in the state’s blood banks.
The blood donation campaign kicked off at 9 am and ended at 1.20 pm.
