Red Cross Launches Unique Event Amid Sharp Decline in Blood Supply
Popular Dessert Offered to Boost Blood Donation Participation
The Korean Red Cross has launched a campaign to encourage more blood donations by offering the highly popular dessert “Dubai Chewy Cookie,” which has recently been at the center of a sold-out frenzy, as a complimentary gift. This initiative aims to connect the trendy dessert, which has become a hot topic especially among younger people, with participation in blood donation, at a time when the nationwide blood supply is significantly below the optimal level.
On January 16, the Seoul Central Blood Center of the Korean Red Cross announced that it would hold a special event for one day, providing additional “Dujjonku” (Dubai Chewy Cookie) to whole blood and platelet donors at seven affiliated donation centers.
The participating centers are: Seoul Central, Hongdae, Guro Digital Complex Station, Ilsan, Mokdong, Balsan Station, and Daehwa Station. The cookies, freshly made on the day at cafes near each blood donation center, will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and the event will end immediately once supplies run out.
This event is seen as a response to the recent sharp decline in blood reserves. Currently, the nationwide blood supply has dropped to 3.4 days’ worth, far below the optimal standard of “at least five days.”
In response, Minister of Health and Welfare Chung Eun-kyung stated at the “Ministry of Health and Welfare Affiliated Agencies Work Briefing” held on January 12, “Blood donations are decreasing due to the influenza outbreak and the winter holiday season,” and added, “It would be helpful if affiliated agencies could also actively encourage participation in blood donation.”
Meanwhile, the Dubai Chewy Cookie being offered as a gift for this event is a dessert created in Korea in 2024, inspired by the “Dubai Chocolate” trend. The filling is made by mixing kadaif (thin Middle Eastern noodles), a key ingredient in Dubai Chocolate, with pistachio cream, and then wrapping it in cocoa powder-coated marshmallow to form a round shape.
Although Dujjonku is sold at cafes and dessert shops across the country, its popularity is so high that it is difficult to purchase unless you visit immediately after opening.
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