The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (June 10) held its Annual Donor Award Ceremony to commend outstanding blood donors. BTS also announced that a total of 3 855 donors gave blood 25-times or in its multiples in 2022/23, which hits the BTS record. BTS thanks for the enthusiasm of the donors in contributing to a sustainable blood supply to the city.
The officiating guests of award presentation included the Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Mr Henry Fan; President of Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) Mr George Joseph Ho, Deputy Chairperson of HKRC, Ms Wendy Tsang; Chairman of BTS Hospital Governing Committee, Mr Ignatius Chan; Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko and Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster, Dr Eric Cheung etc.
In her opening remarks, Dr Lee pointed out that there’s no substitute for blood, and the shelf life of blood is limited. The BTS would need regular blood donation by the public in order to ensure a sufficient and stable blood supply for the city. She hoped the spirit of mutual support and care to spread across the society and added that the government would continue to give its full support to blood donation.
Mr Fan reiterated that a sustainable and stable blood supply is an integral part of the health system. He also expressed his deep gratitude to all blood donors on behalf of HA. He also presented awards to representatives from awarded secondary schools to commend their efforts and commitment in promoting blood donation to the young generation.
Ms Tsang called on the public to support World Blood Donor Day on 14 June. There is no substitute for blood despite advance in medical technologies. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure all patients could have access to safe blood in time for clinical treatments.
With the strong support from the community, 123,823 donors managed to come forward and donated 210,532 units of blood, turning into over 330,000 units of blood products for clinical treatment this year. They have brought warmth, hope and light to patients and their families.
In addition to individual donation awards, Elite Partnership Awards were presented to following corporate, community and academic partners, in recognition of their enthusiastic support and remarkable achievements for blood donation. The respective winners are:
Elite Partnership Award - Corporate Partners
Sino Group
Nan Fung Group
Swire Properties Limited
LAWSGROUP - D2 Place
Prudential Hong Kong Limited
Elite Partnership Award - Community Partners
Lions Clubs International District 303 - Hong Kong and Macao, China
Rotary International District 3450
Tsz Shan Monastery
Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ)
Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation Hong Kong Ltd
Elite Partnership Award - Community Partners (Blood Donation Vehicle)
Whampoa Garden Management Limited
Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation
Lung Mun Oasis
Discovery Bay Services Management Limited
Savills Property Management Limited - The Center
Elite Partnership Award 2023 - University
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hong Kong Baptist University
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Lingnan University
Elite Partnership Award - Secondary School
Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School
Tung Chung Catholic School
Po Leung Kuk Wu Chung College
Heung To Middle School
Jockey Club Ti-I College
Heep Yunn School
Hong Kong and Kowloon Kaifong Women's Association Sun Fong Chung College
Buddhist Hung Sean Chau Memorial College
Carmel Pak U Secondary School
Pui Ching Middle School
The BTS invites members of the public to keep donating blood and maintain a stable blood supply for clinical transfusion to patients. To prevent crowds from gathering and long waiting times at the donor centres, donors are advised to make appointments by calling the BTS’ donor centres or via “HK Blood” mobile app. For details, please visit www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.