Singapore Red Cross and Bloodbank@HSA Thank Rhesus Negative Blood Donors

14 AUGUST 2009
MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Bloodbank@HSA would like to thank all
blood donors who have responded to our recent call for Rhesus negative blood.

2 As a result of the positive response from these donors who have A- negative
and O-negative blood types, we are able to replenish our national stockpile for these
rare blood types back to a comfortable level.

3 Prior to the targeted appeal, there had been high usage of these blood types
by several victims of the recent Jakarta blasts who were flown to Singapore for
treatment. This had resulted in significant depletion of the national stockpiles. To
date, nearly 100 units of both A-negative and O-negative blood have been collected.

4 Regular blood donation is crucial, especially among Rhesus negative blood
donors whose numbers make up less than one per cent of the Singaporean
population. Hence, it takes much longer to build up Rhesus negative blood stocks as
compared to Rhesus positive blood.

5 The SRC has set up a registry for Rhesus negative blood type donors. Firsttime
Rhesus negative blood donors will have their blood type and contact details
registered once they have donated blood. For more information, please call SRC at
62200183.

6 On behalf of the patients who needed the lifesaving blood, we once again
express our gratitude to these generous donors and we cheer them on to keep
giving. We also thank the media for their support in publicising our appeal so that we
were able to reach out to a wider audience.

SINGAPORE RED CROS S & HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
14 AUGUST 2009