Lau calls on more youths to donate blood

SIBU: More young people who are in good health and have never donated blood are urged to come forward in a noble gesture of giving blood and saving lives.

Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau stressed that blood donation by one per cent of the population can meet a nation’s most basic requirements for blood.

He was speaking at the Malaysian Red Crescent ( MRC) Sibu District annual blood donors certificate presentation ceremony at Tanahmas Hotel here yesterday.

Chairperson of the Blood Donor Recruitment Committee, Dr Ngian Hie Ung, was present.

“Besides that, we should think of it as part of our social responsibility as well.

“It is therefore vital to raise awareness of the need to donate blood and regular blood donation to increase supply to save as many lives as possible,” he added.

Lau expressed his big thank you and appreciation to all the associations, NGOs, the corporate sector and everyone who had been very supportive by encouraging their family members or staff to take part in the blood donations.

“MRC Sibu District began its blood donation programme back in the 1940s or 1950s when some long- formed beliefs, generally incorrect, kept older generations from donating blood, especially within the Chinese community.

“Due to cultural beliefs, many elderly Chinese had the perception that donating blood could harm the donors’ health and even give them diseases,” he added.

Lau said due to the misconceptions, blood donation was taboo in the Chinese community.

“As a result, they were very reluctant to donate blood even if the patients were their own family members or close relatives, which drove the patients and their families to buy blood.

“At one stage, blood trading was very rampant in Sibu, yet the blood shortage was serious,” he pointed out.

Lau said through great and painstaking efforts, MRC had been able to completely eradicate the unethical practise of blood trading.