Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) collaborates with Red Cross Singapore to organise Tzu Chi’s first community blood donation drive in 2022, raising 100 bags of blood.
The gradual relaxation of the Covid measures by the government has drawn crowds back to the streets and shopping malls. Various activities have also gradually resumed. On March 26, 2022, Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) and Red Cross in Singapore joined hands to hold this year's first community blood donation drive at Jing Si Hall in Pasir Ris.
The event received an encouraging response on that day, where 125 people had come forth to register as blood donors and eventually donated 100 bags of blood. A total of 33 volunteers served joyfully at Jing Si Hall as the premise bustled with joy and excitement, which was a rare sight for the past two years.
Some donated money after donating blood
Before the event, Tzu Chi and Red Cross had put up banners in the neighbourhood and on social media platforms to promote the event. Chua Sock Peng, who was in charge of ushering the public members, shared that in the past, volunteers would go to the most crowded spot at the MRT station on the day of the blood donation drive to invite interested public members to donate blood. At the same time, the volunteers also arranged for a shuttle service back and forth between Jing Si Hall and the MRT station. Although this was cancelled due to the safety measures, it did not dampen people’s enthusiasm to do good. On the contrary, she said: "People were seen entering Jing Si Hall to donate blood early in the morning."
Chan Hian Joon, a businessman who successfully donated his blood, shared that he had deliberately freed himself up for this event after he received a message from the Red Cross on WhatsApp. He said sentimentally: "Being able to return to a familiar environment without constraints makes me feel very relaxed and peaceful. The genuine smiles and friendly greetings from the volunteers made me feel like I have returned home.”
Chan Hian Joon has joined Tzu Chi for many years. Due to his busy schedule, it is often difficult for him to find time to participate in Tzu Chi activities. However, he is very persistent when it comes to blood donation. "Not everyone can do it. One must have a healthy body and be fortunate enough to donate blood."
Chan Hian Joon who pays close attention to the development of Tzu Chi's charity mission learned that Tzu Chi was having the "Light Up THE Hope Donation Matching Programme" to benefit students from low-income families who are learning in adverse conditions. He was moved after watching all three Tzu Chi videos of volunteers accompanying students in their growing up years. He said: “Tzu Chi’s education philosophy focuses on developing children's resilience to face challenges in life. With Tzu Chi’s steadfast support and love for the children and long-term companionship, it will help the children see hope and eventually transform their lives."
Moved by Tzu Chi’s effort, Chan Hian Joon donated generously to support the donation matching programme. He also vowed to follow the footsteps of Tzu Chi volunteers to devote himself in volunteering to make life more meaningful.
Chan Hian Joon, a businessman who spares time and money for charity, has donated money to support Tzu Chi's charitable education programme after donating blood.
Full compliance with safety measures during the campaign
The entire process from receiving blood donors at the doorstep all the way until the care given after the blood donation had been planned out attentively to ensure smooth flow and operation. During the event, Tzu Chi videos were broadcast at the waiting area so that public members could learn more about Tzu Chi’s global charity efforts.
In the past, volunteers would go to crowded places, such as MRT stations to invite people to donate blood on the day of the blood donation drive. However, such effort have been cancelled due to safety measures.
There was an endless stream of people who came to Jing Si Hall. Due to cap on the number of people who could enter the premise, members of the public were guided by volunteers in order to accelerate the completion of each step. Meanwhile, medical staff of the Red Cross ensured that all restriction measures were fully adhered to so that people could complete their blood donation in a safe environment.
When one has to handle unexpected situations and ensure full compliance with the strict preventive measures at the same time, Yin Qing Hua, a first-time coordinator of the blood donation drive, was inevitably nervous, but she and her team responded calmly and managed to solve all the issues that arose.
To reduce unnecessary cross-contact, medical staff suggested shifting the waiting area on the second floor to the registration area on the first floor. After discussing with the team, Yin Qing Hua and the team adjusted the site planning quickly. Besides adding chairs to the original waiting area, volunteers also placed more chairs at the entrance area so as to expand the waiting area. It was a scorching hot afternoon without any breeze, the volunteers were quick enough to move the electric fans to the waiting area so that blood donors who were waiting for their turn could feel some breeze.
She humbly said: “This is the first time I am coordinating a blood donation drive, and I have no idea about such event at all. Fortunately, with senior volunteer Sister Liang Hong Jee’s constant encouragement and company, everyone learns while carrying out their task."
Even when the site plan had to be changed on the spot, the volunteers still managed to set up a new well-organised waiting area on the first floor and the entrance.
Staying healthy to donate blood regularly
Lim Kim Koon, a 57-year-old Tzu Chi volunteer, was in charge of the sound system and playing the Tzu Chi video at the Jing Si Hall during the blood donation drive. It turned out that he had donated his 318th packet of plasma and platelets at the National Blood Bank Centre two days before the event. Lim Kim Koon regularly donates his plasma and platelets once every month. Although it is time-consuming and exhausting, he has persevered for many years.
Lim Kim Koon revealed: "Ordinary people can only donate blood four times a year at most. If you add plasma and platelet donations, you can donate twelve times year."
Lim Kim Koon started donating blood regularly since he was 18 years old. In order to maintain high-quality blood, Lim Kim Koon makes great efforts to maintain his health and insists on running 10 kilometres every day. In addition to adopting a plant-based diet, he also insists on consuming less oil, less salt and minimal sugar in his food intake. He even cut down the consumption of his favourite food such as durian and curry so that he could maintain a good physical condition while preventing the "three highs" (high blood sugar, high blood pressure and high cholesterol).
Lim Kim Koon donated his 318th packet of plasma and platelets at the National Blood Bank Centre two days before the blood donation drive. He also encouraged people to donate more blood while they are young. (Photo provided by Lim Kim Koon)
Lim Kim Koon also encouraged people to donate more blood while they are young because every year there are about 600 people who stop donating blood due to factors such as ageing and contracting other diseases.
According to reports, about 30,000 people require blood transfusion every year, and the number of people donating blood during the pandemic has dropped significantly. When the pandemic was at its peak, the cancellation of some mobile blood donation drives resulted in a low inventory of blood supply in the blood bank too. The Red Cross calls on everyone to donate blood, hoping that blood donation would become part of our collective social responsibility as each pack of blood can save up to three lives.
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