Singapore, 11 December 2019 – The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) urge blood donors and members of the public to come forward to donate blood over the next three weeks.

2          The national blood stock levels for all blood groups are currently low. To raise the blood stocks to healthy levels again, we need 1,500 group O donors, 750 group A donors and 750 group B donors to donate blood over the next three weeks. This will ensure that we have enough blood to support patients’ transfusion needs and medical emergencies in Singapore.

3          In particular, the national blood stock level for group O blood products is only half of what is needed. Being the universal blood group, group O blood is required during emergencies when patients’ blood groups are unknown. Furthermore, nearly half of the patients in Singapore have group O blood and can only receive similar blood.

Blood Donors Urged to Come Forward

4          All healthy individuals between 16 and 60 years of age, with group O, A or B blood and weighing at least 45 kg, are urged to come forward to help. Donors who have not donated in the past 12 weeks are also encouraged to do so. They may visit any of the four blood banks – Bloodbank@HSA (Outram), Bloodbank@Dhoby Ghaut, Bloodbank@Woodlands and Bloodbank@Westgate Tower. The addresses and opening hours of these blood banks are given in the table below.

6          Donors need to bring their NRIC [for Singaporeans], or passport [for non-Singaporeans]. For donors aged 16 or 17 years old, a signed parental consent form is also required. The form can be printed out from here.

7          Donors are advised to eat a light meal and drink plenty of fluids before donating blood. They should also have adequate rest the night before the donation and on the actual day itself.

8          Those who have not donated blood before in Singapore can visit the donor criteria webpage to complete a short questionnaire to check on their eligibility. They can also call 6220 0183 for more information or to make an appointment.

Upcoming community blood drives can be found here

Community and corporate groups which wish to organise group donations at our blood banks can call the Singapore Red Cross at 6220 0183 or email donate.blood@redcross.sg for more details.