In recent years, the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) has promoted blood donation with “One blood donation saves three lives” as the slogan. Every single bag of blood donated can be processed into different blood products by laboratories, bringing new hope to patients. Many government employees are regular blood donors. With the belief that “helping others is the source of happiness”, they put it into action and donate blood in their spare time. In this issue, three colleagues from different generations are invited to share their experiences as enthusiastic blood donors.

Mr Yuen gained his first experience in blood donation at the age of 18 when the BTS’s mobile blood donation service was provided in his secondary school. Tests showed that he has negative blood type, which is relatively rare. No sooner had Mr Yuen learnt about his blood type than he was encouraged by a nurse to donate blood regularly. He was particularly moved when he was told that his blood type was a perfect match for a patient suffering from thalassaemia and requiring regular blood transfusions. “Whenever I give blood, I strongly feel that my donation counts as I am aware that it will directly help the particular target patient waiting for transfusion,” Mr Yuen said.

Over these years, he has donated blood for over 50 times. His unwavering dedication to helping others has been transformed into a positive impact on his family members. Mr Yuen’s wife has also been inspired to become a regular blood donor. The couple has visited blood donation centres together with their children, providing opportunities for their next generation to understand the significance of giving blood from a young age. “Hopefully, my kids can see for themselves how their parents can offer help to others through practical actions, and join us as regular donors some day,” he said.

Mr Leung first set foot in a blood donation centre at the age of 19. Since then, he has become a regular donor who always hopes to help those in need. With the encouragement of nurses, he started taking part in apheresis donation by donating blood every two weeks. So far, he has made more than 690 donations and received commendation from BTS on a number of occasions. “As police officers, it is our mission to serve the public. I hope to give back to society during my spare time in different ways,” he said. Besides regular blood donations, Mr Leung also actively participates in police volunteer services and encourages his colleagues to become blood donors, promoting a caring culture through actions.

He shared, “Upon learning about the number of blood donations I have made, many colleagues are often curious about apheresis donation and approach me to learn more. I always take the time to explain the entire donation process so as to help them understand how vital it is to patients. Apheresis donation is the collection of platelets or plasma from the blood in the blood taking process, during which other blood components are returned to the donor. As the donated blood components will be quickly replenished in the human body, it is theoretically possible to make apheresis donation at an interval of two weeks and not more than 24 times a year. Inspired by my sharing, quite a few colleagues have also become apheresis donors.” Mr Leung is delighted to see that the caring spirit has been passed on continuously within the Police Force.

Mr Liu has joined the league of blood donors since he was 16, as influenced by his parents who were themselves regular blood donors. After graduating from university, he started working at the Housing Department as a Planning Graduate, where he has gained a deeper understanding of the Government’s commitment to serving the community. “Whenever BTS provided mobile blood donation services at the Central Government Offices or other Government departments, Secretaries of Bureaux and directorate officers would lead by example to actively participate in this meaningful cause, creating a civil service-wide culture of donating blood to help others.”

In his daily life, Mr Liu is also happy to share his blood donation experience with his friends. Gradually, he found that many of his friends have the habit of donating blood. “We often meet up to donate blood, encouraging one another. Over time we have developed a good habit of giving blood regularly,” he said with a smile.