RedCrescentPenang.org.my

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The Malaysian Red Crescent Penang Branch will be organizing the Founder’s Day 2009 in-conjunction with “World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day 2009” from May 8 to 10, 2009 at 10.00am to 10.00pm at Level 4, Gurney Plaza, Penang.

The main objective of the campaign is to instill awareness and understanding of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and its humanitarian work worldwide. Apart from that, the campaign will also include, but not limited to the followings:

i) Poster Drawing Competition: opened to all Red Crescent Youth members (Secondary schools) in Penang – Final selection will be judged on May 8, 2009 at Gurney Plaza and will be announced immediately.  All entries must reach MRC Penang Branch Headquarters, 26, Grove Road, 11400 Penang by April 30, 2009 at 5.00pm. Late entries will not be entertained.

ii)  Colouring Competition: opened to all Red Crescent Link members (Primary schools) in Penang – Winners will be announced immediately on May 9, 2009 at Gurney Plaza.  All entries must reach MRC Penang Branch Headquarters, 26, Grove Road, 11400 Penang by May 4, 2009 at 5.00pm. Late entries will not be entertained.

iii)  Exhibition on Red Cross/Red Crescent around the world including the Malaysian Red Crescent.

iv)  Blood Donation Campaign.

MANY people were unable to donate blood due to low hemoglobin count during the blood donation campaign organised by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Island Chapter in Penang on Saturday.

Despite the setback, campaign organizer Mr. Kong Shih Hao said the event was met with a generally good response by the public.  “We targeted the non-Muslim donors to support the campaign since the Muslims are fasting,” he said.

However, he said low haemoglobin count had prevented more from donating.

A doctor who wished to remain anonymous said one of the main factors contributing to low hemoglobin count was unhealthy diet.  “Iron is important for maintaining the hemoglobin level in the body. One has to consume food that is high in iron like spinach, liver and lean red meat. Caffeine should also be taken less as it reduces the absorption of iron from food,” she said.

The event was held to replenish the supply at the Penang Hospital blood bank which is usually low during the Ramadan month.  The campaign, themed Mid-Autumn Ramadan Blood Donation was held at Sunshine Square in Bayan Baru, Penang.

Sales representative Lee Boon Hooi, 31, said he had donated 18 pints of blood since he became a donor in 2002. “It’s all for a good cause and I’m glad that I could help,” he said.

Another sales representative Rahim Jusoh, 42, was also seen donating blood during the lunch hour break.

NON-governmental organisations have made it more convenient for people to donate blood by holding campaigns at public places, said Penang Tourism Development and Environment Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow.

“Although hospitals have their own blood bank units, phobias have hampered the government’s efforts to encourage more people to go to the hospital to donate blood,” he said recently.

He was speaking at the campaign held at Prangin Mall organised by the MRCS Island Chapter’s Voluntary Aid Detachment 24.  Organising chairman Fong Kwok Khuen said people started coming as early as 9.30am although the event proper only began at 11.30am.

The Star – 30 May, BLOOD APPEAL: The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) has urged the public, especially those aged 18 to 25, to donate blood to mark International Blood Donation Day on June 4. MRCS national vice-chairman Datuk Dr Bahari Abu Mansor said that apart from helping to fill up the blood bank, donors will become healthier as the zinc content in their body would be reduced and new red blood cells would be generated. For further information, contact organiser Md Adnan Md Hashim at 019-558 4474 or visit www.redcrescent.org.my

This campaign was planned in early to have it annually by MRCS branches in Malaysia on 8th of May in -conjunction with the World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day.  However the federation (IFRC) has decided June 14 of yearly as the official day of World Blood Donors and is apart to simultaneously gather the blood donors all over the world.

The national level World Blood Donors Day campaign will kick off on 12th of June at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.  All chapters under Penang Branch will work together to make it happens on 19th June at Bukit Mertajam, Butterworth and Penang Island.

Public are encourage to participate.  Many door gifts will be given to early birds.  For further information about the World Blood Donor Day, please visit to the official website at http://www.wbdd.org