RedCrescentPenang.org.my

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