The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) has held its Annual Donor Award Ceremony 2019 today (June 9) and last Sunday (June 2) to present awards to 3 378 blood donors who have achieved 25-times donations and above (multiple of 25) in 2018/19.
      
     The officiating guests of award presentation included the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; the Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Professor John Leong; the Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Red Cross, Mr Philip Tsai; the BTS Governing Committee Chairman, Mr Ambrose Ho; the HA Director (Quality and Safety), Dr Chung Kin-lai and the HA Kowloon Central Cluster Chief Executive, Dr Albert Lo.
      
     In her opening remarks, Professor Chan pointed out that facing our ageing population and the increasing demand for medical services by citizens, the selfless commitment of blood donors play an important role in public health. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to donors and made an appeal to the public for more participation in blood donation to stabilise the blood supply. She also thanked the support of corporates and community groups for hosting blood drives, and encouraged the Government, especially civil servants and disciplinary forces to take the lead in supporting the life-saving mission.
      
     Also speaking at the ceremony, the HA Chairman, Professor Leong, 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 the Hospital Authority.
      
     The Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Red Cross, Mr Tsai urged members of the public to support World Blood Donor Day on June 14. This year the, slogan is 'Safe Blood for All'. 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.
      
     In addition to individual donation awards, Special Merit Awards were presented at the Ceremony to the Civil Aid Service and Tsz Shan Monastery in recognition of their enthusiastic support for blood donation. Po Leung Kuk Ma Kam Ming College was awarded the Jean Cassels Trophy and Commendation Shields for highest percentage participant school while the BTS Trophy and Commendation Shield was presented to the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Kwai Chung) for highest number of school donations.
      
     To celebrate the World Blood Donor Day and thank blood donors for their selfless donations, everyone who donates blood successfully from today to June 14 will be presented with a World Blood Donor Day Packing Cube (see attached photo) as souvenir while stock lasts.

Ends/Sunday, June 9, 2019
Issued at HKT 18:02

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