THE Lions Club of George Town (LCGT), in collaboration with the Penang police, has successfully organised a blood donation campaign at Komtar today.
The life-saving effort was held in conjunction with Malaysia Day.
LCGT president Vincent Yen said the one-day campaign managed to receive an overwhelming response from the public.
“The blood donation campaign is our yearly programme and so far, we have collected about 40 blood packs.
“Hopefully at the end of the programme, we can get 100 packs.
“The blood would then be donated to the Penang Hospital blood bank.
“We hope through this campaign, we can assist those in need,” Yen said in his speech before Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng officiated the blood donation drive at Level 3, Komtar today.
Also present was Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim.
Teh commended the initiative taken by the Lions Club of George Town in collaboration with the Penang police force.
“The role of blood donors and blood donation campaign organisers is vital as their contributions can save other people’s lives.
“Based on the data from the Health Ministry (MoH), an average of 2,000 blood bags donated by Malaysians are used for 1,000 patients every day.
“The total blood collection during the movement control order (MCO) since last March is only 60% and the number is seen to be decreasing when conditional movement control order (CMCO) started on May 4, which is around 57% only.
“Thus, I would like to appeal to the public to donate blood to help those in need and at the same time I hope more NGOs will step forward to organise such campaign to ensure an adequate supply of blood in hospitals,” he added.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal