By: Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Community Development and Sports and Minister-In-Charge of Muslim AffairsEmbargoed Till After Delivery
Check Against Delivery
Lt General Winston Choo, Retd.
Chairman,
Singapore Red Cross
Dr Tan Chor Hiang
Chief Executive Officer,
Health Science Authority
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
1. I am happy to be here with you today to acknowledge the contributions of our Champion Blood Donors. These are people who have voluntarily offered the precious gift of life to people whom they have never met. They have given blood regularly to help fellow human beings in need.
2. Blood donation saves lives. This is a simple statement, yet it captures the altruism of donating blood. To donate blood, one must have a genuine, unselfish concern for others. It is all about helping fellow human beings when it matters most.
3. The people who have been helped with this blood include women with pregnancy complications, trauma victims, patients with blood disorders or undergoing surgery, and children with life-threatening anemia.
4. I am heartened that blood donors come from all segments of our society. The common act of donating blood creates a strong community bonding - whatever our social status, ethnic group, religious affiliation, or gender.
5. In fact, I am told that Singapore is amongst 39 countries where every drop of blood collected comes from voluntary unpaid donors. Of our 4 million residents, 1% donate blood . Of this 1%, one-third donate blood regularly, or 2 to 3 times a year. While this shows that blood donors are indeed a rare breed, it also shows that many more Singaporeans can come forward to donate blood. In order to ensure a constant and stable supply of safe blood to meet the needs of patients , we need more people to not just be aware of the importance of blood donation but also to come forward and donate blood regularly.
6. In this regard, I am honoured to be here today to present awards to our exemplary people - those amongst us who are regular blood donors. To the champion blood donors here with us - in other words, women who have donated blood 50 times or more and men who have donated blood 75 times or more - I salute your sterling example of selfless giving. This afternoon, we will also be recognising a Champion of Champions amongst you, a gentleman who donated his 150th unit of blood last year. This is no mean feat. Mr Law Gie Hoy, I applaud your commitment and support of the national blood programme.
7. Our bloodmobile organisers also deserve praise for their dedication and commitment to the national blood programme. Your tireless efforts in facilitating blood donations in our community - at our schools, places of work and places of worship - have made a difference in creating greater public awareness and in encouraging more Singaporeans to come forward to give the gift of life.
8. We should also congratulate the Singapore Red Cross and the Centre for Transfusion Medicine for leading many useful activities to commemorate the first World Blood Donor Day on the 14th of June.
9. In conclusion, let me once again thank all of you for your contributions to the National Blood Programme. I wish all of you a pleasant evening.
Thank you.