By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Oct 13: The public should not be afraid of being regular blood donors and bleed for a good cause, as the blood bank is always in need of regular supply.
Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen encouraged the people to regularly donate blood as population increase would lead to the need to increase a sustainable blood supply.
“The state blood bank is always in need of regular blood supply as there are more users than before, due to populace increase. It is mainly to save lives.
“Let us share what is useful and important to use especially in saving lives,” he said before officiating the 5km and 10 km “38 Blood Run 2018” here today.
The Stampin MP agreed that more blood drive campaigns and blood donation awareness programmes should be held to attract blood donors.
The run was held in conjunction with the state-level World Blood Donation Day 2018, with the theme “Be there for Someone Else, Give Blood, Share Life” and National Sport Day 2018 organized by 39 Media with the support of the Health Ministry, the National Blood Bank and the state government.
Chong urged the public to be generous and become blood donors, as this also helps in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“I am a blood donor. I promise that I will continue to bleed for a good cause in the future,” he said.
State Health deputy director Dr Kamaruddin Lajim commended the event as a means for various private and public sectors to join forces in an effort to inculcate a healthy lifestyle and make it a community responsibility.
Chong and Dr Kamaruddin both joined thousands other enthusiastic participants in the run.
Also present at the event were National Blood Centre director Dr Noryati Abu Amin, Kuching Youth and Sport officer Mohammad Shukeri Drahman and 38 Media manager Ted Vong. — DayakDaily
