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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) said today (May 28) that a "Thank you for saving my life" blood donation promotion will be launched to celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) on June 14. The promotion will entitle anyone who gives blood between June 1 and 14 to receive a sport wristband and a bandage gift pack while stocks last. WBDD-themed photo props will be available at donor centres and mobile donation sites for donors to take pictures with during the promotion period.
In addition, the BTS is inviting the public to join in its "Hong Kong Red Action" initiative, which calls on people to wear red clothes in support of blood donation and to thank blood donors openly on June 14. The spokesperson said, "The red colour represents the blood that donors selflessly give to patients. The action is to pay tribute to blood donors, and to rouse the community's greater support for blood donation so that a strong culture of blood donation can be cultivated in the city."
Moreover, starting from June 1, the donor centres (except for the Headquarters Donor Centre) will unify their opening time at 11am while the closing times of the individual centres will remain the same. The service hours on Sundays and public holidays will be changed to 11am to 7pm (except for the Headquarters Donor Centre, which will continue to be open from 9am to 5pm on public holidays, and the Central District Donor Centre, which will continue to be closed). For the locations and the latest service hours of donor centres, please call the BTS hotline on 2710 1234 or visit its website at www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.
Members of the public who are aged between 16 and 60, weigh over 41 kilograms and are in good health are eligible to be blood donors. Donation is possible up to the age of 70 for regular donors if predetermined conditions are met. Male and female donors aged 18 or above can give blood every 75 days and every 105 days respectively. Youths aged 16 and 17 can donate blood every 150 days.
Ends/Thursday, May 28, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:04
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