Posted in RedCross on 3 July 2006 | del.icio.us |

Web News – Over 3,000 blood donors join in the World Blood Donor Day celebrations at East Coast Park Area E at East Coast Park turned into a carnival today, as more than 3,000 volunteer blood donors come together to join Singapore in celebrating World Blood Donor Day 2006.

Held every 14 June, the annual event acknowledged and celebrated the contribution and spirit of voluntary non-remunerative blood donation. On this day, international agencies across 192 countries, together with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, marked this special occasion.

A global launch for this year’s worldwide celebrations was held in Bangkok. The Singapore Red Cross was represented by its youth blood donors and staff. Through the slogan for this year’s global celebration ‘I am (occupation) and I save lives’, organisers hope to encourage more people to donate blood voluntarily on a non-remunerated basis.

On the home front, the Singapore Red Cross set its sights on the recruitment and retention of blood donors, through ‘Building Lives, Connecting Communities’ sandcastle building. This was spearheaded by our youth blood donors and many other blood donors and their families joined to create a beautiful sandcastle city. The local organising committee, included personnel from the Singapore Red Cross and the Health Sciences Authority, connect people from all walks of life with a common goal of being blood donors and help save lives.

The sandcastle project started more than a month ago with basic training lessons conducted for the blood donors who had volunteered to participate in the project. More than 60 of them braved the weather over the weekend of 10th Jun to start building the main 6ft monument as well as a series of intricate sandcastles.

“It has been a challenge for us to build the sandcastles under stormy weather in the past few days. However, we were able to keep our spirits strong and complete the task as we want to make a statement that nothing is impossible. Through great commitment and a true sense of generosity, I believe we can touch the hearts of fellow Singaporeans and get them to join us as blood donors.” , said Ms Amy Chen, a youth blood donor and a volunteer.

Mr Heng Chee How, Minister of State for Health, who graced the occasion as the Guest-of-Honour, showed his surprise and excitment that blood donors from all walks of life could come together to complete the magnificent sandcastle project. He also congratulated the Centre for Transfusion Medicine of the Health Sciences Authority for being the first national blood service in the Asia Pacific region to achieve accreditation from the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).

As part of the celebrations, the Singapore Red Cross created a “Wall of Life Savers” with some 200 photos of blood donors making their commitment to saving lives. Participants at the event were treated to various activities which included circus workshops and performances, carnival activities as well as a spectacular fireworks display.

Posted by:
S. P. T. Krishnan,
Chairman, donorweb.org
On behalf of Ms. Elaine Tham,
Singapore Red Cross Blood Donor Recruitment Programme