SIBU: A total of 750 blood donors attended the World Blood Donor Day cum Recognition 2022 here yesterday (July 16).
Speaking at the ceremony, Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sibu adviser, Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau hoped all the donors will continue giving blood.
“Encourage your family members and friends who are in good health to take part in this noble gesture of giving blood and saving lives,” he said.
Lau also urged more people in good health who have never given blood to begin doing so, particularly the young generation.
“Blood donation by 1 per cent of the population can meet a nation’s most basic requirements for blood and we shall think of it as part of our social responsibility too.
“On that note, I also wish to acknowledge the many associations, non-governmental organisations, corporate and private sectors, all have been very supportive and encouraging their members or staff to take part in the blood donations,” he said.
Earlier, MRCS Chairman, Penghulu Chua Hiong Kee said that despite the rapid and remarkable progress in medical science today, human blood still cannot be manufactured or substituted.
Chua noted that blood can only come from generous blood donors hence donating blood and saving lives is still crucial these days.
“The supply chain of blood cannot be stopped. We need to recruit more new blood donors, especially the younger generations.
“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to our Sibu community, if you are eligible, please join the queue, roll up your sleeve, this world needs more unknown heroes like you,” he said.Meanwhile, the organising chairman of the ceremony, Dr Rachel said that during the pandemic between 2020 and 2021, MRCS saw the number of walk-in blood donors increase by about four per cent.
“Our data shows an increase of three per cent of regular donors in 2021 compared to 2020.
“The majority of these donors came from the age group of 25-45, and about 62 per cent of the donors are Chinese followed by Malays and Iban.
“Although we are highly optimistic that the total number of donors in 2022 will surpass our previous year’s record, we still have to continue to be committed and work hard to achieve our goals,” she said.
Also present were Sibu MP Oscar Ling Chai Yew, and MRCS Sibu Branch advisor Datuk Lau Ngie Hua.
