Dr Jerip (fifth left) presents the award to a representative from the Federation of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions Chinese Associations Youth Section. At second and third left are MRC Kuching Chapter deputy chairman Dr Chou Chii Ming and chairman Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zain, while advisor Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg is at second right.
KUCHING: The Federation of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions Chinese Associations Youth Section won three out of 10 challenge trophies for the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Kuching Chapter blood donors awards presentation yesterday.
The federation won the Datuk Amar Puan Sri Dr Hajjah Laila Taib Challenge Trophy for women donors (739 pints), GOF Wilayah II Trophy (3,800 pints), and Teo Aik Challenge Trophy for groups from organisations, clubs or associations (3,800 pints).
Taiyo Yuden (S) Sdn Bhd won the Datuk Abang HJ Abdul Karim Tun Datuk Abang HJ Openg Challenge Trophy for group from corporations throughout Malaysia (456 pints) while the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation received the Dr Abang Hj Abdul Rauf Abang Zain Challenge Trophy for groups from Sarawak government departments and statutory bodies (289 pints).
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) won the Cho Bok Challenge Trophy for groups from institutions of higher learning/schools (620 pints) while Universiti Institut Teknologi Mara (UiTM) won the Datuk Fatimah Abdullah Challenge Trophy for annual highest number of successful new women blood donors of any organisation, department, institute of higher learning or corporation (129 pints).
The Dr Abang Yusof Abang Abdul Razak Challenge Trophy for groups from federal government departments and statutory bodies went to the armed forces of Kuching (583 pints).
For group from corporations within the state, Liansin Trading Sdn Bhd received the Lam Siong Khan Challenge Trophy (485 pints).
Pulapol received the the Viagulam Lazaramah Challenge Trophy for first-time donors (328 pints).
Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Jerip Susil, who represented the Chief Minister, said donating blood was more than just saving lives as it saves a nation, saves the people and saves society.
“Your blood is part of you and part of you has entered the life of another person. That is a major contribution.
“As a doctor who does operations, we are the recipients of people who donate. As patients who lay down in operation theatre, we are at the mercy of blood available, and whose blood are those? These are the generous donors who come and donate their blood, and therefore, that is the significance of your contribution,” he said.
Blood donors recruitment services sub-committee chairman John Jong said 2,800 blood donors received awards.
In 2014, MRC Kuching Chapter collected 21,629 pints of blood for the Sarawak General Hospital and Normah Medical Specialist Centre, for the use of all hospitals in the division.
“We are working hard to encourage more women blood donors to come forward to save lives. We are trying hard to increase the number of women donors.
“Last year, we had 4,481 female blood donors, showing an increase of 9 per cent over the numbers in 2013. The ratio between male and female of total blood donation based on 21,629 pints was 79 per cent to 21 per cent,” he said.
He added they are trying to improve the ratio to 70-30.
Meanwhile the top Apheresis donors were Ang Yu Lok (150 pints), Alexius Libau Teggong (140 pints), Sopran Mohamad (135 pints), Kho Boon Seng (130 pints), Abu Seman @ Teruna Ibrahim (110 pints), Wan Ismail Wan Bala’o (95 pints), Juhari Asum (85 pints), Wang Su Chean (80), Chai Ann Kuo (75), Wong Yuk Yiong (75), Dayangku Majalifah Awang Mustafa (55), Mohd Azlan Shah Jufri @ Roger AS (55), Zakaria Mat Zain (55) and Voon Jit Kam (50).