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A single blood donation can help save three or more people. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a blood donor in Hong Kong.
There’s no substitution for blood. Patients with chronic diseases or those in need of surgery because of illness or accident count entirely on the generosity of people who donate. According to the SCMP, the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service has seen blood donation rates go to a new low in the midst of the pandemic. Every year, 14 June is marked as World Blood Donor Day to raise awareness about the important role blood donation plays in national health systems. Whether you’re thinking about donating blood for the first time or want to learn more about the procedure in Hong Kong, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know and where to go.
Jump to:
Who Can Donate Blood In Hong Kong?
What To Do Before You Donate Blood
What To Expect When Giving Blood
Where To Donate Blood In Hong Kong
Read more: COVID-19 Vaccines In Hong Kong: Your Questions Answered
Who Can Donate Blood In Hong Kong?
There are two types of blood donation: whole blood donation (all components of your blood) and apheresis donation (plasma, platelets or both). For a first time donor, you must in good health, weigh over 41kgs, and be between the ages 16 to 66 (if you’re over 66, you can still be accepted for whole blood donation up to your 76th birthday).
Regular blood donors without adverse post-donation reactions are eligible for apheresis donation, provided that you have made at least two whole blood donations in Hong Kong. You must be between the ages of 18 to 60 (you can donate up to the age of 70 if certain conditions are met!), weigh over 60kgs, and be willing to donate blood at least once a month regularly.
In order to protect yourself and the recipient, the Blood Transfusion Service screens each donor through health history questionnaires, haemoglobin and blood pressure checking and more. For information on the frequency of blood donation, donating under the age of 18, and if your travel history permits you to donate, you can find out more via The Red Cross. You can also check if you’re eligible for blood donation by taking this online test!
Please note that there are new measures now for blood donation in response to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have travelled outside Hong Kong recently or have had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, you are not eligible for blood donation for 28 days. If you were infected with the coronavirus yourself, you have to wait for 180 days after complete recovery.
Read more: Children’s Vaccinations In Hong Kong: When And Where To Get Them
What To Do Before You Donate Blood
- Book an appointment.
- Make sure to eat something within four hours before donating and have iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals or raisins.
- Get a good night’s sleep the night before your donation and stay hydrated, it’s advisable to drink an extra half litre of water before your appointment.
- Wear a top with sleeves you can roll up above your elbows.
- Make sure you have your Hong Kong Identity Card or a valid travel document ready to present to the nurses upon arrival.
- Make a list of any medication you’re on as well as notes on your health history, ready to share with the nurse.
What To Expect When Giving Blood
The donation process is quite straightforward. Once you arrive at a donation centre, fill out a registration form and you will be directed to a nurse who will perform a haemoglobin test and general screening, which includes taking your temperature, blood pressure and asking you a couple of questions about your health history.
Once everything is good to go, a nurse will disinfect your skin and apply a local anaesthetic before the venepuncture (all needles are sterilised and used only once to protect donors from any potential infections). A blood sample will be taken to confirm your blood type and check for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis and human T-lymphotropic virus. The whole donating process will take 7 to 12 minutes. After you’re done, the centre will provide you with refreshments and small bites to enjoy (to replenish the fluid lost)!
Bruising is completely normal and can occasionally occur after the donation if there is bleeding underneath the skin. It should disappear on its own, but you can apply a cold compress on the venepuncture site if you’re in any discomfort. Make sure you read Hong Kong Red Cross’ post-donation advice if you’re unsure of anything.
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Where To Donate Blood In Hong Kong
With centres across Hong Kong, find your closest one and give them a call to inquire about booking in for a donation. First-time donors should be sent a donor card between four to six weeks after donating blood and you can check when you’ll be able to donate again using its eDONOR platform, which you’ll create once you’ve signed all the forms upon arrival.
Jump to:
Blood Donation Centres On Hong Kong Island
Blood Donation Centres In Kowloon
Blood Donation Centres In The New Territories
Blood Donation Centres On Hong Kong Island
Causeway Bay Donor Centre
When: Daily, 11am to 8pm
Where: 14/F, Plaza 2000, 2-4 Russell Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kons Island, Hong Kong
Contact: 2834 2084
Central District Donor Centre
When: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7pm
Where: 1/F, Tung Ming Building, 40-42 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
Contact: 2526 1420
Wan Chai Donor Centre
When: Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm
Where: Unit 3, G/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
Contact: 6392 5778
Blood Donation Centres In Kowloon
Kwun Tong Donor Centre
When: Daily, 11am to 8pm
Where: 23/F, Units 2301 & 2316, Millennium City 5, 418 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Contact: 3148 1375
Mong Kok Donor Centre
To get here, enter the “Trendy Zone” Shopping Mall from Dundas Street and take the lift to the 15th floor.
When: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 9:30pm; Sunday and Public Holidays, 11am to 7pm
Where: 15/F, Chow Tai Fook Centre, 580A Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Contact: 2770 5930
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Campus Blood Donor Centre
When: Weekdays, 10am to 6pm
Where: Integrative Health Clinic, Room AG057, Core A, PolyU Campus, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Contact: 6392 5779
West Kowloon Donor Centre
Services include whole blood donation, apheresis donation and bone marrow donor recruitment.
When: Daily, 9:30am to 6pm
Where: 6/F, Hong Kong Red Cross Headquarters, 19 Hoi Ting Road, West Kowloon, Hong Kong
Contact: 2507 7733
Blood Donation Centres In The New Territories
Sha Tin Donor Centre
When: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7pm
Where: 1/F, 1A Shatin Centre Street, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: 2603 0100
Tsuen Wan Donor Centre
When: Daily, 11am to 8pm
Where: 8 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: 2412 2378
Yuen Long Donor Centre
When: Daily, 11am to 7pm
Where: Unit 704-705, 7/F, Yuen Long Landmark, 115-127 Yuen Long Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: 2478 6000
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service
Apart from donation centres, the Mobile Blood Donation Vehicle will also be travelling around the city from time to time, so be sure to check out its service schedule here if you’re looking to donate blood. For more information, you can also see the Frequently Asked Questions of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service.
Read more:Hong Kong COVID Tests: PCR Tests, RATs And Community Testing Centres
Editor’s note: This post was originally published by Lexi Davey in April 2018 and most recently updated by Sassy Mama in May 2022.
