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Schools the way to go for new blood

I am heartened by the efforts to increase awareness of blood donation, which is critical for emergency treatments, major surgeries and long-term illnesses such as leukaemia (“#MissingTypeSG campaign launched to highlight need for more blood donors”; Aug 16, online).

I am heartened by the efforts to increase awareness of blood donation, which is critical for emergency treatments, major surgeries and long-term illnesses such as leukaemia (“#MissingTypeSG campaign launched to highlight need for more blood donors”; Aug 16, online).

According to the Health Services Authority, an ageing population, together with medical advancements and new hospitals, will call for more blood every year.

So why are people not donating blood? Fear might be one reason, as many people dislike needles. Besides that prickly pain, however, there is little health concern over blood donation, as the body would regenerate blood cells readily.

Others may lack awareness about where to donate and how long the process will take. To tackle this, the Singapore Red Cross launched a mobile app.

Donating blood saves lives, and one can make a difference in the community by helping others. Moreover, it does not cost the donor anything.

I feel that the #MissingTypeSG campaign is effective, as it intrigues people and raises awareness simultaneously.

Visitors to the Botanic Gardens, for example, would have been stumped by the missing letters, then curiosity would have driven them to discover this meaningful cause.

Schools also participated in this event, allowing students above the age of 16 to donate blood with parental consent.

This is the right way, as students would learn the importance of donating blood and cultivate the practice from a young age. They are also more likely to become regular donors in future.

My school took part in the campaign, which was well-received. Many teachers and students pledged to donate blood. Awareness of the need for blood donation was raised as students put on name stickers missing the letters A, B and O.

The campaign has inspired me, and I have pledged to support this cause by donating. More schools should take part in future to encourage their students to donate.

I hope that the campaign will continue to promote awareness and that the increasing demand for blood will be met by compassionate donors.

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