PKS embarks on statewide blood drive

Kota Kinabalu: Locally-based Filipino NGO, Persatuan Kabayan Sabah (PKS), plans to register a record number of blood donors for the sake of the 1,700 thalassaemia patients statewide who need monthly blood transfusions.This is in view of Sabah also having the largest number of thalassaemia major patients in Malaysia.

Kota Kinabalu has the highest number (slightly over 1,000 patients) suffering from the genetic disorder of the red blood cells.

PKS Kota Kinabalu District liaison chief Victor Fernandez said the blood campaign will be held at Suria Sabah shopping mall (sixth floor) on Sept 3-4.

The two-day blood donation campaign is jointly organised by the Thalassaemia Society of Sabah and supported by Queen Elizabeth Blood Bank and other NGOs, including corporate organisations.

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"I urge fellow PKS members to unconditionally support the noble project which is meant to save lives," he said.

"Since this is our first community service project, we want it to be a success and inspiration to our members in future community services," Victor said.

Project organiser Marion Lind said the committee is finalising the activities to be held that would include children's colouring competition, performance of Filipino traditional dances, musical numbers and other interesting programmes.

"We have also invited a few reputable corporate organisations to promote their products during the event," she said.

The organising committee is toying with the idea of visiting some construction sites next month to encourage workers, particularly Filipinos, to donate blood.

Thalassaemia Society of Sabah President Francis Mujim said it would provide whatever assistance PKS needs to make the event a big success.

"We need this kind of help because our patients are really facing some difficulties in terms of blood shortage when undergoing regular blood transfusion treatments," Francis said.

He said thalassaemia is a severe form of anaemia and those having the disease require regular blood transfusions at an average of once a month throughout their lives.

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According to him, major patients have to inject expensive iron-removing drugs every day to remain well or otherwise they seldom live beyond their twenties.

"At present, a bone marrow transplant is the only hope of possible cure for thalassaemia major patients," Francis said, adding that one in 13 Sabahans carry the thalassaemia gene and recommended people to go for thalassaemia screening before starting a family.

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