Lucia Lai
Forty-four Catholics from several churches around Penang gathered at the Church of St John Britto recently to donate blood at the Penang General Hospital’s mobile blood donation unit.
Raymond, a first time donor, said his friends encouraged him to donate blood as it is a good deed and out of curiousity.
College student, Daniel Roy is donating for the fifth time.
“By donating blood, I know I will be helping someone. Each time there is a Blood Donation Campaign, I’m always willing to be a donor.” he said.
Dr Neoh from the Mobile Blood Donation Unit said that the hospital uses up as many as 40 bags of blood every day.
Thus, he said, it is crucial that they go on their rounds to collect blood from donors.
He was glad that the Church had called them on 17 April and informed that in a week, at least 5 days, they were out on their rounds.
“We usually receive calls from associations, factories and even shopping malls to run the blood donation.” Dr. Neoh said.
“The minimum number of donors we received in a round was about 15 or so but the maximum we received was up to 200, especially from factories.”
Blood donation decreases the risk of heart diseases and also curbs high cholesterol, apart from helping in weight loss.
Presently, the blood bank level at the General Hospital is getting quite low; therefore Penangites are urged to donate blood to help save lives.
Interested donors, who are between 18 and 65 years old, and weighing above 45kg, can walk in to the hospital (Jalan Utama) to donate blood from 7.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays except public holidays. For details, call the blood bank at 04-2225161.
Companies, organizations, associations, factories, can organize their own Blood Donation Drive and call the Mobile Blood Donation Unit.
CJMY
