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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) has launched an Easter promotion from today (March 21) to April 6 to encourage the public to support blood donation. During the period, every successful blood donor will be awarded a luggage tag printed with blood donation promotional messages while stocks last.
The BTS spokesperson said that since this year's Easter holidays will last for four consecutive days, many holidaymakers are expected to go out of town and hence the number of donors and amount of blood collected will drop. Also, hospitals are used to building up adequate blood stocks before long holidays to provide clinical transfusion services.
The BTS appeals to the public to give blood before the coming Easter holidays. At least 1,100 blood donors are needed to come forward to donate blood every day to cater for the blood demand of all hospitals in Hong Kong.
Blood donation is a safe and simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Anyone who is aged between 16 and 60 (donation is possible up to the age of 70 if predetermined conditions are met), weighs over 41 kilograms and is in good health is eligible to give blood. Male and female adult donors aged 18 or above can donate every 75 days and every 105 days respectively. Youths aged 16 and 17 can donate every 150 days.
The service hours of donor centres during the Easter period (March 25 to 28) are stated below:
- The Causeway Bay, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long Donor Centres will open from 11am to 7pm from March 25 to 28;
- The West Kowloon Donor Centre will open from 9.30am to 6pm on March 25, 26 and 28; and
- The Central District Donor Centre and the Headquarters Donor Centre will be closed during the holidays.
Ends/Monday, March 21, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:37
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