The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) thank all donors who responded to our call and came forward to donate blood last month. The blood stocks have improved to moderate levels. More than 10,000 donors across all blood groups have come forward. Among them, about 21% were first-time donors; and about 15% were youth donors.
“On behalf of all patients, thank you for saving lives. We are encouraged by your spirit of solidarity. We hope this will be the start of a lifelong journey for first-time and youth blood donors. Blood donation is a shared responsibility and must be a part of the national psyche. It is crucial that we have a constant stream of donors to ensure that patients can receive a blood transfusion whenever they need one,” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of SRC.
“We are grateful for your patience and understanding as the Bloodbanks had to handle larger than usual crowds. Your donations are crucial in securing the nation’s blood supply. We would like to encourage all healthy individuals to start donating and to donate regularly, at least twice a year. We look forward to your continued support for the National Blood Programme as your regular donations will ensure a sustainable and resilient blood supply,” said Dr Mimi Choong, CEO of the HSA.
“Your blood donations have saved many of us. Every pack of blood makes a difference, and I thank all donors, regardless of your blood group,” said Ms Amirah Arman, 27, who receives a blood transfusion every 3 weeks. Born with Beta Thalassemia Major, a genetic blood disorder where the body is unable to reproduce red blood cells, she started receiving monthly blood transfusions since she was 7 years old.
We need to collect about 400 units of blood every day to meet daily needs. Reduced donations during long weekends, school holidays and festive holidays, as well as sudden increases in blood usage, can cause the blood stock to dip. The SRC works closely with community partners and blood mobile organisers to organise blood drives and group donations to mobilise people to donate together. The SRC also leverages different media channels to engage and remind donors the importance of regular blood donation, as well as recalls donors via SMSes and social media posts when there is a dip in specific blood groups.
Regular blood donation is the key to a stable blood supply, and it reduces the need for such recalls. As blood has a short shelf life of six weeks for red cells and seven days for platelets,we would like to seek the continued support of blood donors