Penang Hospital pays tribute to blood donors on World Blood Donation Day

GEORGE TOWN: Blood donors who came to Penang Hospital received a warm welcome and cute handmade souvenirs in conjunction with World Blood Donation Day celebrated here today.

Zariah Abdullah, 51, who has been donating blood since 2003, said she was moved when she was given a teddy bear made from a towel by staff from the Transfusion Department.

"I rode my bicycle from my home in Jelutong to come here to donate blood. I am touched by the appreciation shown by the hospital.

"I hope many youngsters out there can also be part of this noble effort to donate blood," she said today.

Another donor, Siti Nursyazwani Saipan, 29, drove from Tasek Gelugor to donate blood here.

She said she has been donating blood since she was 17-years-old and would come during her free time to participate in blood donation programmes.

"This time, it is a bit special because we as donors felt appreciated by our small contribution to society," she said when she was given a teddy bear.

Penang Hospital transfusion specialist Dr Anizah Arshad said this year's World Blood Donation Day was celebrated in a moderate scale by giving out souvenirs compared to previous years.

The celebration was not grand due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) following the Covid-19 outbreak.

"We have been running low at our blood banks since the MCO but recent developments have been encouraging.

"We welcome more donors to contribute as well," she said when met today.