SOME 300 people started the New Year with a gift of life by donating blood at a campaign organised by Hui Yin Seh Metta Blood Donation Group at Lot 33, Prangin Mall, today.
The organisers are expected to hit their target of 500 donors as 300 of them have turned up as of 1.20pm.
Some of them were regular blood donors while others were new members, who came with friends and family members.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was the guest of honour at the event, said he appreciated the noble effort by Hui Yin Seh Metta Blood Donation Group, alongside Penang Hospital, Island Hospital and Lam Wah Ee Hospital.
“Established in 1996, Hui Yin Seh Metta Blood Donation Group has organised 344 blood donation campaigns with the participation of the three hospitals.
“They have collected 77,212 pints of blood from the 17,830 members. The state would like to record our deepest appreciation to Hui Yin Seh Metta Blood Donation Group for being the most active organisation in organising blood donation drives in the state.
“Donating blood is equivalent to donating one of our body parts to others. It is a blessing of being able to do the good deed as only the healthy ones are eligible to donate blood,” he said in his speech.
Chow said the initiative was in line with the state’s LovePenang slogan which is actively promoted by the government.
During the event, a blood donation mobile application was launched by Hui Yin Seh Metta Blood Donation Group. It can be downloaded in a week’s time.
The mobile application is to let the blood donors register themselves for the upcoming blood donation activities organised by Hui Yin Seh Metta Blood Donation Group systematically.
Hui Yin Seh Metta Blood Donation Campaign Group leader Dr Teoh Yee Ping said the blood donation drive was aimed to replenish the blood in Penang Hospital.
“We hope that more people can come forward to chip in,” she said.
Penang Hospital doctor Dr Yap Pau Yee expressed hopes that people can realise the importance of donating blood.
Towards the end of the event, Chow also gave out awards to frequent blood donors.
Also present were state Environment and Welfare Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, former Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai and Hui Yin Seh chairman Datuk Chuang Keng Kung.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Siew Chia En