Singapore Red Cross and Health Sciences Authority Call for Continued Blood Donations

Singapore, 22 March 2012 – The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) are calling on all blood donors, especially O blood donors, to come forward to donate this weekend.

As of today, the national blood stock level is about 1,200 units, enough for the next three to four days. However, to ensure our ability to continue to meet the daily transfusion needs and bleeding emergencies, we aim to bring the current bloodstock level to at least six days' supply of 1,800 units. (This means that we will need the support of about 1,000 donors over this weekend.)

There has been a consistent dip in blood stocks level over the past week. This is due to an increase in hospital utilisation caused by several bleeding emergencies since the beginning of the year, and reduced support for community bloodmobiles. The national stockpile has to be ramped up in order to meet the daily transfusion needs of patients as well as for bleeding emergencies.

The daily national blood stock is monitored closely by SRC and HSA. Given the current dip in the various blood types, HSA is closely monitoring the blood usage by the hospitals, and SRC is working with bloodmobile organisers to mobilise their staff/members/ volunteers to come forward. SRC, as the national blood donor recruiter, has been issuing phone texts to recall blood donors, especially those who are due for their next blood donation, since 7 February 2012. However, response has been slow. This blood appeal is an additional measure to call on potential blood donors to come forward to bring up the stockpile. As blood can only be kept for a limited period of time, we seek the support of blood donors to help ensure a constant supply of blood to patients. In Singapore, more than 350 units are needed daily to meet the transfusion needs of patients in hospitals.

Blood Donors Urged to Come Forward

All healthy individuals between 18 and 60 years, weighing at least 45kg, are urged to come forward to help. Donors who have not made a donation in the past 12 weeks are encouraged to give blood as well.

Blood donations can be made at:

• Bloodbank@HSA, located at 11 Outram Road [opposite Outram Park MRT Station]. The opening hours are as follows:Tuesdays to Thursdays: 9am to 6.30pm
  Fridays: 9am to 8pm
  Saturdays: 9am to 4.30pm
  Sundays: 9am to 2pm
  Closed on Mondays and public holidays

Bloodbank@Woodlands offers later closing hours on weekdays from 12pm to 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

• Bloodbank@Woodlands, located at 900 South Woodlands Drive, Woodlands Civic Centre, #05-07. The opening hours are as follows:Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 12pm to 8pm
  Saturdays 9am to 5pm
  Sundays 9am to 2pm
  Closed on Tuesdays and public holidays

The public can also donate blood at our community bloodmobiles. Details of the community mobiles are available online at www.donorweb.org. Those who wish to donate can call the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) at 62200183 for more details.

Donors need to bring their NRIC [for Singaporeans], or passport [for non-Singaporeans].

Those who have not donated blood before in Singapore can visit Donor Criteria page or call SRC at 62200183 for more information on the blood donation criteria or to make an appointment for blood donation.

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