Give Back, Give Blood donation day announced

Macau’s six Rotary Clubs yesterday announced the launch of the 14th “Give Back Give Blood” donation day, which will be held on Sunday, November 22.
The event is co-organized by the Rotary Clubs of Macau, Hou Kuong, Macau Central, Guia, Macau Islands and Amizade, together with the Macau Blood Transfusion Centre.
This year’s campaign aims to further raise public awareness of blood donation, following years of ardent support from Macau’s communities.
The organizers added that blood usage across the hospitals has not substantially increased in recent years, and that the Macau Blood Transfusion Center will therefore focus on promoting blood donation by inviting schools, associations and organizations to visit their center.
The center regularly holds blood donation talks. In 2014, eight schools and 19 associations or organizations participated in the Macau Blood Transfusion Center’s visit and attended talks.
This year’s donation day will also be accompanied by a promotional campaign in the peninsula’s northern district. The Macau Blood Transfusion Center said in a press release that it plans to reach out to new migrants  as potential donors, and that this year’s Rotary Blood Donation Day was moved north so as to better reach this group.
As per regulations established in 2012, local residents can visit the Macau Blood Transfusion Center to register as a Bone Marrow/Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donor. Interested donors need only register at the center and give a blood sample to be added to the Hong Kong Bone Marrow donors’ data bank.  Since December 2014, 703 residents have registered, with 667 fully qualified Bone Marrow/Hematopoietic Stem Cell donors.
The 14th “Give Back, Give Blood” day will be held on Sunday at Edif Lok Yeung Fa Yuen Leisure Area from 11 a.m. until 4.30 p.m.