Abg Jo launches annual Flag Day sales for MRC Kuching Chapter
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday launched the Malaysian Red Crescent ( MRC) Kuching Chapter Flag Day sales.
Abang Johari, who is also Chapter patron, purchased the first paper flag with a personal donation when a delegation led by MRC Kuching Chapter chairman Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen called on him at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here.
Chapter deputy chairman Dr Chou Chii Ming said MRC youth and link members from secondary and primary schools would help to sell the paper flags to the general public from April 15 to May 15.
He appealed to Sarawakians to generously support the sales as the money collected would be utilised for the Chapter’s humanitarian, community services and training programmes.
MRC Kuching has an outstanding record in helping to recruit volunteer blood donors for over the past four decades, and in providing training for MRC youth and link members as well as first- aid training to government agencies, companies and the general public, while also providing ambulance services and natural disaster aid.
As an incentive, the Chapter will channel between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of the money collected from the paper flag sales to participating schools to finance their MRC activities. The percentage will be based on the amount collected during the month-long sales.
“We hope to collect about RM20,000 from the Flag Day sales,” said Chou.
Meanwhile, the Chapter is organising ‘Run To Save Lives’ on Oct 27 in aid of its blood donors’ recruitment campaign.
According to Chou, MRC Kuching has helped to collect about 22,000 pints of blood yearly for use of Sarawak General Hospital, Normah Medical Specialist Centre and other private hospitals.
Last year’s collection was 22,911 pints.
The Chapter has a pool of some 63,000 blood donors, of whom about 70 per cent are active donors who give at least one pint a year.
Chou said MRC Kuching needed about RM100,000 to fund its blood donors’ recruitment campaign yearly.
In recognition of their selfless contribution in giving blood to save the lives of others, the Chapter hosts an annual Blood Donors’ Awards presentation.
He also urged more corporate companies to support the campaign by becoming corporate sponsors for the noble cause.
MRC Kuching vice- chairman Titus Chuo, who also chairs the fundraising sub- committee, was among those in the visiting delegation.