RED CROSS BLOOD DONOR RECRUITMENT PROGRAMME FACT SHEET Background

The Singapore Red Cross Society (SRCS) began its blood collection programme in March 1984 with strong encouragement from the Ministry of Health (MOH). Started with the Red Cross Blood Centre, the programme has evolved into a fully mobile programme in 1995, complementing the role of the Singapore Blood Transfusion Services (currently known as the Centre for Transfusion Medicine, Health Sciences Authority) in organising blood donation drives to meet the national blood transfusion needs of all hospitals in Singapore. Since taking over as the National Blood Donor Recruiter in April 2001, together with our partner, the Centre for Transfusion Medicine of the Health Sciences Authority, we have managed to collect sufficient safe blood for the transfusion needs of our hospitals. In order to ensure a healthy and constant supply of blood at all times, we aim to increase the current number of regular blood donors from 1 to 2 per cent of out total population by 2007, and 3 per cent by 2010.

Our role as the National Blood Donor Recruiter

The SRCS focuses on 3 main functions in the National Blood Programme: Recruitment and Retention of blood donors Promotion and Education to increase public's awareness on the importance of blood donation Organisation of mobile blood donation drives in the community.

(CTM focuses on the physical collection of blood, testing, quality control and distribution of blood and blood products to all hospitals in Singapore.) SRC aims to inform and educate the public on the importance of a constant supply of blood to help ease or prevent acute shortages during festive periods, school breaks and also in times of emergencies. We aim to increase the current stock of 3 day to 5 days a healthy level of 8 to 10 days by 2010.

Overview of the current blood supply situation

Everyday, about 350 units of blood are required by the hospitals in Singapore for patients requiring blood transfusions. The blood collected at the Bloodbank@HSA is distributed to all hospitals based on its availability. Unfortunately, the number of units that is being collected daily is insufficient to meet the required needs. Currently, an average of 250 units of blood are collected each day. Blood is needed not only to save lives in times of emergencies, it is also needed to sustain the lives of patients who requires regular blood transfusions at the hospitals. These are the leukaemia patients, the haemophiliacs, the thalassaemia patients, patients with bleeding disorders, and also patients undergoing major surgery. It is very crucial for more healthy individuals to come forward to help save and sustain the lives of these vulnerable people. Blood donors can donate up to 4 times a year regularly. Red Cross is counting on all healthy individual between the ages of 16 to 60 to help save lives.

Blood. Give Blood. Save Lives