PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian Red Cross, in collaboration with Natural Beauty Company and the National Blood Transfusion Center, has launched a life-saving blood donation campaign with the participation of about 1,000 company employees and citizens coming to donate blood.
Speaking at the press conference on the day of the campaign on Wednesday, 6 July, the CEO of Natural Beauty Company, Nuon Suntory, expressed her pleasure in making this campaign happen. She said this campaign provides an opportunity for people to donate blood, and spreads awareness on the important of blood donations, especially as there is a shortage of blood in Cambodia every day.
"I value donating blood because it saves lives," said Nuon Suntory. "Giving blood makes us proud of ourselves and I am also proud of those who donate blood. The more blood we pump, the better our health. It also reduces the chance of cancer, do not be afraid of blood, do not be afraid of needles.”
The President of the National Blood Transfusion Center, Dr. Sok Po, outlined the situation of blood demand in 2021 and said that a pack of blood is needed to save patients’ lives every six minutes. The total daily blood demand is, on average, more than 250 packs in Phnom Penh alone. Nationwide, the demand surpasses 100,000 packs per day, which is an increase of nearly 20% from the previous years.
The National Blood Transfusion Center covers more than 70% of the country's blood supply. However, free and voluntary blood transfusions meet only about 10% of the demand in Cambodia, while neighboring countries donate more than 90% voluntarily, according to data from the World Health Organization.
Dr. Sok Po added that after the Covid-19 outbreak began, voluntary blood donations have greatly reduced, so this event is a good opportunity to strengthen the campaign of voluntary blood donations.
"Blood donations do not affect health, and blood is the only source from humans that no factory can reproduce," he said.
"A person who has donated 100 times was a doctor and also the former Deputy Director of the National Blood Transfusion Center. He is 90 years old now and he has donated blood more than 100 times. Actually, it can be said that he donates more than a hundred times regularly, every three months. Donating blood does not affect health, but can give us many benefits, we can check our health status, we can know our health status then we can prevent [illness]."
He also stated that the blood donated at this event will be used in the hospital free of charge. Buying blood, on the other hand, is an illegal offence which should be punished.
Men Neary Sopheak, the First Deputy Secretary General of the Cambodian Red Cross, expressed her excitement to see so many people who had come to voluntarily donate blood and save lives.
"The number of people who have come to donate here is a sign that, firstly, the promotion is widespread, secondly, the increase in awareness of the importance and benefits of blood donation," she said. "There are two main benefits of blood donation, the first is health check-ups, as the results show that at least your health is good. Second, if your health is good, you can help the lives of those who are in need of blood."
Bokator athlete, Kim Tith Sovatanak, was at the blood drive and expressed his pleasure in donating blood for the first time. He said he was happy that his blood will go to help those who are in need, and also called on more people to donate blood like him.
"I would like to ask for everyone to donate their blood, because if we donate blood, we can help the lives of people who are in need, and there is nothing to be afraid of with donating blood, because it does not hurt and it helps our health, and those who have tattoos, we can still donate as well [just like me], the doctor consulted with us and told us to delay in case we just got a tattoo, but after a gap of one month, we can donate blood," he said.
Son Daradary, who work at a salon, was also excited to donate her blood for the first time. She said she wanted to donate in the past but did not know where to go.
"I want to donate blood to those who are in need. Before, I did not know where to donate, but when I saw the post from the CEO of Natural Beauty Company, I came to donate," she said.
Nuth Kunthea, a tuktuk driver who donated blood on the same day, said it was his fifth time donating blood. He said he does not have much money to donate, but can instead donate his blood, which no factory can artificially produce.
He said, "I see people donate money since they have a lot of money, but for me, I have no money, but I have blood. Companies have not been able to create blood [artificially], so I donate to some people who need it. This is necessary because we have blood, but I do not have money to donate, but my heart wants to give blood to all who need it, the blood which cannot be reproduced by any factory.”
He also called on people to donate blood because it has no side effects but instead makes him healthier.
The conditions for giving blood include having good health, an age between 18 to 60, a weight of 45 kg or more, a hemoglobin level above 12.5g per 100ml, blood pressure reading between 100mmHg/60mmHg to 140mmHg/90mmHg, and the appropriate blood donation interval, if you have recently given blood (every 3 months for men, and every 4 months for women.)
The health benefits of donating blood include being able to get a health check-up to know the status of your health and if you have any infectious diseases such as hepatitis B or HIV. If during a checkup you test positive for any of these diseases, the National Blood Transfusion Center will ensure to maintain your privacy and will not share this result with anyone else.
In addition, donating blood also helps to reduce the risk of cancer, reduce blood pressure and iron overload, which can affect the liver and pancreas, helps to improve heart health, reduce weight, reduce the chance of stroke and the collection of blood in the brain.
