Hong Kong Red Cross Honors Record Blood Donors at Annual Award Ceremony

Record-breaking of over 4 000 blood donors commended at Annual Donor Award Ceremony

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (June 14) held its Annual Donor Award Ceremony to commend outstanding regular blood donors. The BTS also announced that a total of 4 081 donors gave blood 25 times or in its multiples in 2024/25, which breaks the BTS record for three consecutive years. This highlights the growing awareness and embrace of blood donation culture in Hong Kong. The BTS expressed its sincerest gratitude to all the enthusiastic blood donors.

The officiating guests of the award presentation included the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee; the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Mr Henry Fan; the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko; the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Red Cross, Dr Lau Chor-chiu; and the Chairman of the BTS Hospital Governing Committee, Mr Ignatius Chan, etc, presenting awards to the awardees.

Dr Libby Lee said, "The BTS has adopted a multipronged approach to promote blood donation as a habit to ensure a stable blood supply in Hong Kong. I would like to urge blood donors to inspire their family and friends to become fellow blood donation champions, to help patients through their life-threatening moments. I would also like to encourage everyone to register as a bone marrow donor to save lives. I look forward to seeing more young people recognised at the Donor Award Ceremony as key players in this lifesaving effort in the future."

Dr Tony Ko added that, a stable blood supply ensures the healthcare system functions effectively to safeguard the health of in Hong Kong people. The HA has always supported blood donation activities. In the past year, HA staff donated more than 1 800 units of blood. Many colleagues dedicate themselves to protecting patients both within and beyond their workplace. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all staff members and blood donors across the city for their invaluable contribution.

Dr Lau Chor-chiu said, "To strengthen our network with universities, the BTS has collaborated closely with the Hong Kong Red Cross Youth Development Service. Following the establishment of the Hong Kong Red Cross University Club (Hong Kong Baptist University) last year, this year BTS has also engaged in the establishment of the Club of Chinese University of Hong Kong. The BTS will actively engage in the campus blood donation activities."

Mr Ignatius Chan stated that, "BTS has paid our utmost effort recruiting young donors over the years, aiming at strengthening the team dedicated to saving lives through blood donation. This year, the BTS organised a University Blood Donation Marathon and visited 13 universities and tertiary institutions. During the event, the BTS collected over 2 800 units of blood, among which 1 200 people were first-time donors. Besides, the BTS continues to collaborate with the Education Bureau to promote blood donation education in secondary schools, ensuring that the culture of blood donation is rooted in campus."

This year, a total of 127 800 enthusiastic blood donors donated nearly 219 200 units of blood, turning into over 372 100 units of blood products for clinical treatment in Hong Kong hospitals after they underwent processing and testing at various laboratories of the BTS.

In addition to individual donation awards for enthusiastic blood donors, Elite Partnership Awards were presented to the following corporate, community and academic partners, in recognition of their enthusiastic support and remarkable achievements in blood donation. The respective winners are:

Elite Partnership Award - Corporate Partners

Prudential Hong Kong Limited

Sino Group

Nan Fung Group

Link Asset Management Services Limited

Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited

Elite Partnership Award - Community Partners

Tsz Shan Monastery

Rotary International District 3450

Scout Association of Hong Kong

Evangelical Free Church of China - Yan Fook Church

Elite Partnership Award - Community Partners (Blood Donation Vehicle)

Whampoa Garden Management Limited

Lung Mun Oasis

Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation

Elite Partnership Award - University

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

The University of Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Hong Kong Baptist University

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Elite Partnership Award - Secondary School

Shatin College

West Island School

Po Leung Kuk Wu Chung College

Discovery College

Buddhist Hung Sean Chau Memorial College

F.D.B.W.A. Szeto Ho Secondary School

Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School

King's College

PHC Wing Kwong College

Lai Chack Middle School

The BTS invites members of the public to support blood donation activities continuously and become regular blood donors. Donors can make appointments via "HK Blood" mobile app or by calling the BTS' donor centres. For details, please visit www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.

Record-breaking of over 4 000 blood donors commended at Annual Donor Award Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Record-breaking of over 4 000 blood donors commended at Annual Donor Award Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Record-breaking of over 4 000 blood donors commended at Annual Donor Award Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Record-breaking of over 4 000 blood donors commended at Annual Donor Award Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Record-breaking of over 4 000 blood donors commended at Annual Donor Award Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Record-breaking of over 4 000 blood donors commended at Annual Donor Award Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Kai Tak today

The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Kai Tak this afternoon (January 12). While a male worker was detaching the lifting gear connected to the top of a water tank, the water tank displaced suddenly, trapping the worker between the water tank and a bored pile casing nearby. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.

The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the use of mobile cranes for lifting operation at site concerned. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."

To prevent workers from being struck or trapped by loads when engaged in unrigging process, the LD reminds employers to (i) ensure that the place supporting the loads is secure; and (ii) formulate proper unrigging methods for detaching lifting gear so as to prevent displacement of the objects in the course of unrigging operations.

The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

Source: AI-found images