KOTA KINABALU: The people are welcome to donate blood for charity at the Ansara annual statewide pre-Ramadan blood donation campaign (ABDC25) which will take place across eight districts this weekend.
With a target of 1,200 pints, the campaign is jointly organised by the Ansara Sabah chapter, Sabah Health Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2’s Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine and Sabah Transfusion Medicine Services to address the urgent shortage at the state’s blood banks.
Campaign chairman Abdul Kadir Abdullah said the two-day event will be launched by state Health director Dr Maria Suleiman at ITCC Shopping Mall in Penampang at 2pm on Saturday (Feb 22).
At the national level, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar will officiate the campaign the following day.
“The campaign will be held simultaneously nationwide.
In Sabah, blood donation drives will be conducted in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kudat, Keningau and Ranau.
The blood collected will be distributed to hospitals across the state.
Ansara, the alumni association for Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM), represents graduates from 57 MRSM institutions nationwide, including five in Sabah, namely Kinarut, Sandakan, Tawau, Semporna and Ranau.
The first MRSM in Sabah was established in 2002 in Kinarut while the latest, MRSM Ranau, was developed with sponsorship from PETRONAS.
Abdul Kadir said the pre-Ramadan ABDC campaign was first launched in 2007, and over the past 18 years, it has successfully collected more than 100,000 pints of blood.
“The initiative was established in response to a critical blood shortage in hospitals during Ramadan when donations typically decline. We urge the public to step forward as only 2.5% of eligible Malaysians donate blood.
“The sight of a hospital full of patients but an empty blood bank is distressing," he said.
"Blood donations can mean the difference between life and death.
"It is only available due to the generosity of those willing to roll up their sleeves. A single donation can save up to three lives,” he added.
On behalf of the MRSM Sabah chapter alumni, Abdul Kadir expressed gratitude to the state Health Department and all participating partners for their support in making the ABDC25 campaign a reality.
This year’s programme is also made possible with the support of the Malaysia Relief Agency (Sabah branch), Koki (MRSM), the Federation of Sabah Hawkers and Traders Associations, Pekesan, ITCC Kota Penampang, Mydin Sandakan, Seafest Semporna, Eastern Plaza Tawau and several other partners.
