The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (September 14) appealed to the general public to support blood donation as the current inventories have fallen to an alarming level. To facilitate blood donation by the public, the service hours of four donor centres will be extended from tomorrow to Sunday (September 15 to 17). During this period, the BTS will operate an enquiry hotline (2710 1202) to answer public enquiries relating to blood donation services on a daily basis from 9am to 5pm.

     "Furthermore, all members of the public who successfully donate blood at the donor centres or university campus donor centres in this period will receive a set of 'Stay on Nutritious Diet, Start with Iron' heat-resistant coasters while stocks last," the spokesperson added.
 
     The extended service hours of the four centres are as follows:
 
Central District Donor Centre
1/F, Tung Ming Building, 40-42 Des Voeux Road Central, Central
Service hours: 11am to 8pm (except Sunday)
 
Kwun Tong Donor Centre
Units 2301 and 2316, 23/F, Millennium City 5, 418 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong
Service hours: 11am to 8pm
 
Shatin Donor Centre
1/F, Hong Kong Red Cross Bradbury Shatin Centre, 1A Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin
Service hours: 11am to 8pm
 
Yuen Long Donor Centre
Units 704-705, 7/F, Yuen Long Landmark, 115-127 Yuen Long Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long                                                             
Service hours: 11am to 8pm
 
     The service hours of other centres will remain unchanged.
 
     The spokesperson said that although the daily service hours of the Causeway Bay and Tsuen Wan donor centres have been extended to 8pm since August 7 this year, the daily target of 1 100 blood donors has not been achieved. Also the frequently unstable weather in the past few months, including several typhoons, has continuously impacted the amount of blood collected.
 
     "At present, the blood inventories of all blood types, including O positive, A positive and B positive, have already depleted to an alarming level. The BTS urges citizens to join in and support blood donation. Hong Kong needs more of its citizens to be ready to get involved in supporting and taking part in blood donation to ensure adequate blood supply," the spokesperson said.
 
     Anyone who is aged between 16 and 66 (donation is possible up to the age of 76 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.

Ends/Thursday, September 14, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:40

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