LIKE many businesses that have been hit by the current Covid-19 crisis, blood donation has also been significantly impacted.
But thanks to the Lions Club of Penang Outreach (LCPO) and the Lions Club of Penang Rising Star (LCPRS), they jointly held a blood donation drive in collaboration with the Penang Hospital at St Joseph Square in Gurney Paragon Mall today.
Anjugam Thangaveloo, 43, was of one those who came to donate blood, sacrificing a bit of her time on Sunday for a good cause.
“This is the third year I am donating blood. Blood is valuable for a patient who needs it and can help save a life. Also, I came to support my friend who is in the organising committee,” Anjugam said, referring to LCPRS organising chairperson Dr Sivasangari Subramaniam.
Another donor, Phua Chun Haw, 28, made a beeline to the airy blood donation area after doing his shopping at the mall.
“It’s by sheer chance that I came across the blood donation campaign at the mall. I am a regular blood donor. Whenever I see there is a blood donation drive going on, I will mostly likely take part.
“I’m just happy to donate blood to help save lives,” said Phua, an engineer with NI, formerly known as National Instruments Corporation, in Penang.
Dr Sivasangari, who herself donated blood today, said to ensure that it is safe to donate blood, females must have a minimum haemoglobin level of 12.5g/dL and males 13.0g/dL. The donor’s haemoglobin cannot be higher than 20.0g/dL.
“I’ve been donating blood regularly since my student days at Universiti Sains Malaysia and the last time I donated blood was in May,” said Dr Sivasangari.
Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit praised both Lions clubs for coming together to organise the event.
“We sometimes take things for granted, and only feel it when people close to us suffer and are in need of help,” said Lee, who himself donated blood for a friend’s father three months ago.
“We do not wish for bad things to happen. But we’ve to prepare for emergency. In times of need, we can be there for others. And there are a lot of people out there with different needs.
“I would like to thank the Lions Club of Penang Outreach and Lions Club of Penang Rising Star and all the blood donors. We may not know who the recipient of the blood is but the important thing is it is likely to save a life.”
LCPRS president David Seow Chee Hoe said his club is doing a blood donation campaign once every month.
“I understand the Penang Hospital needs 40 packets of blood per day and is not having enough of supply. So, we’re one of the bodies doing our part,” said Seow, a former national shuttler.
Seow added that his club is now in the process of making 35 short pants to donate to the old folks at Persatuan Syukur Penyayang Pulau Pinang.
Also present at the blood donation campaign were Region 1 Zone 2 chairperson Amy Yeoh Kheng Ngoh, LCPO president Gan Chee Wei, organising chairman Soon Chin Kim and secretary Irene Ooi.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan