KUCHING: The Blood Bank of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has called on members of the public to come forward and donate blood at several donation drives scheduled this weekend, while also encouraging Malaysians to make blood donation a meaningful New Year’s resolution for 2026.
In a statement posted on its official social media platform, the Blood Bank announced that multiple blood donation programmes will be held today (Sat, Jan. 10) and tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 11) at various locations around Kuching, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure a stable and sufficient blood supply for patients in need.
Tday, blood donation sessions will be held from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm at Level 1, Emart Moyan, organised by the Stampin Red Crescent.
Another session today, from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm, will take place at the SGH Blood Donation Centre, organised by Kuching Love Book in collaboration with BSSK Logistics.
Meanwhile, tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 11), the public can donate blood from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm at Level 2, Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre (ACCPC), St Joseph, organised by the Boy’s Brigade.
A further session will also be held on tomorrow from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm at Hope Church Kuching, Jalan Dogan, organised by Hope Church Kuching.
Beyond the weekend drives, the Blood Bank is also using the opportunity to urge the public – especially first-time donors – to consider blood donation as a personal goal for the new year.
In its message, the Blood Bank posed a reflective question on whether people had achieved their previous New Year’s resolutions, encouraging those who had not to try something different in 2026 by taking the step to donate blood.
Acknowledging that fear of needles is common, the Blood Bank reassured potential donors that such fear usually fades after the donation process.
To help the public assess their eligibility, the Blood Bank outlined basic donor requirements.
First-time donors must be aged between 17 and 60 years, weigh at least 45 kilogrammes, and have a haemoglobin (HB) level of 12.5 g/dl or higher.
Donors must also be in good health and have adequate rest, with at least five hours of sleep the night before donating.
The Blood Bank clarified that fasting is not required prior to blood donation.
Donors are instead encouraged to eat beforehand and drink sufficient plain water.
Only an identity card is required for registration.
Those unable to attend the weekend campaigns may visit the SGH Blood Donation Centre, currently located at the Day Care Centre Block of the hospital.
The Blood Bank added that registration for donation sessions may be closed earlier if the targeted number of donors is reached and advised the public to refer to its pinned Facebook post for updated schedules.
“Take your first step as a blood donor. The earlier you start donating, the more lives you can help save,” it said.
