Yeongdeungpo-gu Employees Participate in Blood Donation to Overcome COVID-19

On the 19th, 'Love Blood Donation' Event at District Office Plaza... Overcoming COVID-19 Blood Supply Crisis... First Jointly Hosted by Korean Red Cross Seoul Central Blood Center and Seoul District... About 200 Participants from District Office and Affiliated Organizations

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Chae Hyun-il) held a 'Love Blood Donation' event on the 19th at the district office plaza, where employees joined together to save precious lives amid a severe shortage of blood supplies for transfusions due to the recent spread of COVID-19.

According to the Blood Donation Management Headquarters of the Korean Red Cross, while the blood donor population is decreasing due to low birth rates and aging, the number of people requiring transfusions is significantly increasing.

In South Korea, over 70% of blood donors are in their teens and twenties, but every winter, which coincides with students' vacation periods, there have been difficulties in securing sufficient blood supplies.

Especially now, with the spread of COVID-19 causing cancellations of group blood donations and reluctance to go out, the number of blood donors has sharply declined, putting the domestic blood supply at risk of shortage.

On the 4th, the Korean Red Cross even issued an appeal emphasizing the urgent need for active public participation in blood donation due to the blood supply crisis caused by COVID-19.

In response, the district held the 'Love Blood Donation Event' on the 19th at the district office plaza, co-hosted for the first time by the Korean Red Cross Seoul Central Blood Center and a Seoul autonomous district, to save lives in the local community and contribute to building a healthy society.

About 200 voluntary participants, including district office and community center employees, social service agents, and staff from affiliated organizations such as Yeongdeungpo Senior Welfare Center, Yeongdeungpo Facilities Management Corporation, and Yeongdeungpo Cultural Foundation, took part in the blood donation to help save lives in the local community.

Initially, about 100 participants were expected, and two blood donation vehicles were scheduled to be deployed, but due to the enthusiastic participation of many people, an additional blood donation vehicle was provided.

Participants received small commemorative gifts and blood donation certificates. One district office employee who participated said, "Although it was brief, it was a meaningful time sharing life," emphasizing the importance of blood donation.

The district placed hand sanitizers at the medical examination area for blood donation to ensure clean hands before donating, and mandated mask-wearing for participants, ensuring that the event proceeded smoothly with COVID-19 prevention measures in place.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, "I thank the employees who participated in blood donation during this difficult time of blood supply shortage caused by COVID-19," and added, "We will continue to build a warm Yeongdeungpo that shares love for neighbors in need."

Yeongdeungpo-gu General Affairs Division (☏2670-3299)