Recent SRC data reveals that the number of young blood donors, aged between 16 and 25, has been on a downward trajectory in Singapore.
Have you ever thought about the impact that a small act, like donating blood, can have on saving lives?
As Singapore faces increasing demand for blood due to its aging population, the need for young blood donors is more critical than ever.
Meet Shiek Abdullah Mohamed Fazil, a 23-year-old student at the National University of Singapore who has donated blood 13 times since 2019.
Fazil's motivation is simple: knowing that every blood donation has the potential to save three lives. Reflecting on his journey, Fazil acknowledges that some of his colleagues are hesitant, often out of fear of needles. To address this, he highlights the importance of inspiring and educating the younger generations about blood donation from a young age.
Recent data from the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) reveals a worrying trend. The number of young blood donors, between 16 and 25 years old, has followed a downward trajectory. In 2023, young people made up only 15 percent of total donors, a decrease from 17 percent in 2022 and a significant drop from 33 percent in 2011.
The decline, exacerbated during the pandemic, led the SRC to cancel school outreach activities and mobile blood drives, essential for educating and recruiting young donors. While these activities have resumed, regaining momentum takes time.
SRC and HSA are actively working to dispel misconceptions about blood donation. Initiatives include the Youth Blood Donor Program, empowerment of youth ambassadors, and digital tools such as the DonateBlood app. Despite these efforts, with around 600 donors leaving the pool annually due to age or illness, maintaining an adequate blood supply remains a challenge.
The urgency is underlined by the fact that Singapore needs approximately 125,000 units of blood annually, a figure expected to rise to more than 160,000 units by 2030. An aging population, with increased susceptibility to disease, contributes significantly to the Increased demand.
The SRC and HSA's recent call for blood type O donors ahead of Chinese New Year highlights the critical need for diverse blood types. As a universal blood group, blood type O is vital during emergencies when patients' blood groups are unknown. However, stocks are at critical levels, putting elective surgeries at risk and compromising life-saving transfusions.
Kymn Yee, a 44-year-old teacher with thalassemia, emphasizes the personal impact of blood shortages. Regular blood transfusions from him are crucial for a normal and healthy life. With half of Singapore's patients having blood type O, the consequences of dwindling supplies are real and immediate.
