Let’s support Hong Kong’s urgent appeal for blood donations

Hong Kong’s blood supplies are at extremely low levels, in particular, blood types A, B and O-negative. These shortages put lives at risk and I know many of us will want to take action and help those in need by giving blood. Some good news is that more of us are now eligible to donate blood. This is due to the lifting of restrictions that prevented some former residents of the UK, Ireland and France from giving blood in Hong Kong. The ban, which was due to concerns around the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, ended in December. While donations of blood types A, B and O-negative are the highest priority, donors of all blood types are urgently needed to replenish Hong Kong’s heavily depleted stocks. Our CEO Belinda Greer is a lifelong blood donor and ESF continues to support the Red Cross appeal with blood drives happening across the organisation. Those wanting to take immediate action in response to the city’s critical shortages can find information on how to donate on the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion website.