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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) held an official opening ceremony today (August 31) for the Yuen Long Donor Centre (YLC). The centre has collected a daily average of 70 bags of blood since it began operation in late July, meeting the BTS's expectations.
Officiating guests at the ceremony included the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow; Deputy Chairman of Hong Kong Red Cross, Mr Vincent Lo; Chairman of Yuen Long District Council, Mr Leung Che-cheung; Chairman of the Blood Transfusion Service Governing Committee, Mr Philip Tsai; and Kowloon Central Cluster Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Hung Chi-tim.
At the ceremony, Dr Chow commended the new centre on its very convenient location, adding that the interior environment was elegant and comfortable. He appealed for more local people in the district to use the facility to give blood. Since there is no substitute for blood, many lives might be at risk if there were not enough blood donations.
Two regular blood donors, Mr Kong Yuk-man and Mr Yeung Chun-hung, who live in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun and have donated blood 50 times and 76 times respectively, welcomed the new centre in their neighborhood as it would make it easier for them to give blood. They shared their personal experiences of giving blood donations and encouraged others to join them.
To celebrate the official opening and as a gesture of appreciation, donors giving blood at the new centre during the opening period will be presented with a Blood Donation Phone Accessory and a limited edition Champagne Towel (see photo attached) while stocks last. The public can call our hotline at 2710 1234 or visit our website at www.ha.org.hk/rcbts for details.
Ends/Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:34
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