Red Cross Blood Donor Recruitment Programme

Background

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) began its blood collection programme in March 1984 with the strong encouragement from the Ministry of Health (MOH).  Starting off with the Red Cross Blood Centre, the programme evolved into a fully mobile programme in the 1995, complementing the role of the Center for Transfusion Medicine, Health Sciences Authority ( previously known as the Singapore Blood Transfusion) in organising blood drives to meet national blood needs.

Today, the role of the SRC in the National Blood Programme has evolved to take on added responsibilities.  Effective 1st April, the SRC was appointed the National Blood Donor Recruiter by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). 

An official ceremony to launch the "National Blood Donor Recruitment Programme" was held at the Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza on 14th April 2001.  A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Singapore Red Cross and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA.) in recognition of their partnership in the National Blood Programme. 

The SRC will focus on the following 3 main functions in the National Blood Programme; (i) Recruit and retain blood donors, (ii) Promote and Educate to increase public's awareness on the importance of blood donation and (iii) Organise of blood drives within the community.  The physical collection of blood, testing, and distribution of blood to hospitals in Singapore will carried out by the Centre for Transfusion Medicine (CTM), a professional centre of HSA.

Recruiting Blood Donors

The SRC conducts its recruitment activities within the community, encouraging the public to come forward  to give the "river of life".  A team of volunteer Red Cross Blood Donation Campaigners conducts talks at schools, tertiary institutions, community organisations and companies, informing the public on the importance of blood donation and the need for regular blood donors.  

Besides public education activities, the SRC also recruits companies and organisations to become catalysts in encouraging their employees and members to be regular blood donors.  These companies and organisations become Corporate Blood Donors and do their part in meeting the national blood requirements by pledging to collect 200 to 300 units of blood a year.  

In our continuous efforts to educate more people on the importance of blood donation and sign on as a blood donor, anew website called "Donorweb" was  launched on 14th April 2001.  Donorweb is a valuable vehicle for providing useful information on topics related to blood and our national blood requirements.  It aims to inform the public of the supply of blood and special requirements so as to generate donor response to ensure that there will always be an adequate blood supply for those in need.  It can also help to establish a strong network of blood donors, and interest volunteers and potential donors to pledge their involvement and donation.  As an IT partner in the National Blood Programme, it is a non-profit website created and operated by a team of volunteers. 

Singapore needs an average of 350 units of blood daily.  
All blood collected is distributed to hospitals for various purposes.  Blood is needed during bone marrow transplants for leukaemia patients, for thalasemia patients needing regular blood transfusions, during daily surgeries and for accident victims. This is only a short list of its uses.

Preparing for Disasters

The SRC, with its current role in the National Blood Programme, will be in a better position to build a ready pool of blood donors in times of emergency or disaster.  Regular blood donors could be called upon during such times, where there would be a great need for blood.

Want to know more about blood and blood donation?  Click here.

How You Can Help

You can come forward and share the gift of life with those in need. Organisations are welcome to pledge their support towards the National Blood Programme by encouraging their employees and members to be regular blood donors. 

The SRC also welcomes individuals to join its team of volunteers to reach out to more Singaporeans and help heighten public awareness on the importance of blood donation.