Latest news with #MedalforLife
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
580 blood donations earn woman prestigious 'Medal for Life' award
KUALA LUMPUR: The struggle of finding O+ blood donors for her mother, who needed a transfusion after undergoing abdominal surgery nearly five decades ago, was a turning point for Chin Jeck Leng to become a dedicated blood donor. Driven by the determination to prevent others from going through the same ordeal, the 65-year-old does not mind making the trip to the National Blood Centre in Jalan Tun Razak every two weeks, all in the name of saving more lives. The former head of Human Resource Management at a local bank has donated blood an astounding 580 times, an extraordinary achievement that not only earned her widespread recognition but also made her the first woman in the country to receive the prestigious Medal for Life award. "I was still a child during that surgery in 1980 and not eligible to donate. "It was challenging to find donors among family and relatives, as not many were willing to give blood. "And the only person willing to donate was my neighbour, who asked for payment. "That was when I realised how vital the sacrifice of a blood donor truly is, as it offers hope to those in need. "After all, blood is something money can't buy," she told reporters after receiving the award at the national-level World Blood Donor Day appreciation ceremony and the silver jubilee celebration of the National Blood Centre, which Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad launched. The Kuantan, Pahang native, who began donating blood at 18, said she remains in good health and free from any illnesses to this day. She expressed hope that more people, especially the younger generation, would come forward to become blood donors. Meanwhile, Anugerah Delima recipient Norhasri Mohamad Jadi, 44, has been donating blood since he was 28 due to a traumatic childhood experience. He was involved in a road accident at the age of three and suffered severe blood loss. He recalled that his family was returning to Kuala Lumpur from their hometown in Teluk Kemang, Negri Sembilan when the vehicle skidded while trying to avoid a lorry. "That's why I decided to become a blood donor. "I realised just how life-changing a donor's contribution can be," he said, adding that the crash left his right arm and leg permanently impaired. The O+ e-hailing driver has donated blood 99 times and was the only blood donor with a disability to receive an award at the ceremony. The Anugerah Delima is awarded to individuals who have made between 76 and 100 apheresis donations, whereonly specific components of the blood are collected, and the rest of the blood is returned to the donor's body during the same session, or31 to 40 whole blood donations. – Bernama
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
65-year-old woman honoured for 580 blood donations
KUALA LUMPUR: The struggle of finding O+ blood donors for her mother, who needed a transfusion after undergoing abdominal surgery nearly five decades ago, was a turning point for Chin Jeck Leng to become a dedicated blood donor. Driven by the determination to prevent others from going through the same ordeal, the 65-year-old does not mind making the trip to the National Blood Centre in Jalan Tun Razak every two weeks, all in the name of saving more lives. The former head of Human Resource Management at a local bank has donated blood an astounding 580 times, an extraordinary achievement that not only earned her widespread recognition but also made her the first woman in the country to receive the prestigious Medal for Life award. 'I was still a child during that surgery in 1980 and not eligible to donate. It was challenging to find donors among family and relatives, as not many were willing to give blood. 'And the only person willing to donate was my neighbour, who asked for payment. That was when I realised how vital the sacrifice of a blood donor truly is, as it offers hope to those in need. After all, blood is something money can't buy,' she said. She spoke to reporters after receiving the award at the national-level World Blood Donor Day appreciation ceremony and the silver jubilee celebration of the National Blood Centre, which Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad officiated. The Kuantan, Pahang native, who began donating blood at 18, said she remains in good health and free from any illnesses to this day. She expressed hope that more people, especially the younger generation, would come forward to become blood donors. Meanwhile, Anugerah Delima recipient Norhasri Mohamad Jadi, 44, has been donating blood since he was 28 due to a traumatic childhood experience. He was involved in a road accident at the age of three and suffered severe blood loss. He recalled that his family was returning to Kuala Lumpur from their hometown in Teluk Kemang, Negeri Sembilan when the vehicle skidded while trying to avoid a lorry. 'That's why I decided to become a blood donor. I realised just how life-changing a donor's contribution can be,' he said, adding that the crash left his right arm and leg permanently impaired. The O+ e-hailing driver has donated blood 99 times and was the only blood donor with a disability to receive an award at the ceremony. The Anugerah Delima is awarded to individuals who have made between 76 and 100 apheresis donations, where only specific components of the blood are collected, and the rest of the blood is returned to the donor's body during the same session, or 31 to 40 whole blood donations.
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
580 blood donations earn woman prestigious ‘Medal For Life' award
KUALA LUMPUR: The struggle of finding O+ blood donors for her mother, who needed a transfusion after undergoing abdominal surgery nearly five decades ago, was a turning point for Chin Jeck Leng to become a dedicated blood donor. Driven by the determination to prevent others from going through the same ordeal, the 65-year-old does not mind making the trip to the National Blood Centre in Jalan Tun Razak every two weeks, all in the name of saving more lives. The former head of Human Resource Management at a local bank has donated blood an astounding 580 times, an extraordinary achievement that not only earned her widespread recognition but also made her the first woman in the country to receive the prestigious Medal for Life award. 'I was still a child during that surgery in 1980 and not eligible to donate. It was challenging to find donors among family and relatives, as not many were willing to give blood. 'And the only person willing to donate was my neighbour, who asked for payment. That was when I realised how vital the sacrifice of a blood donor truly is, as it offers hope to those in need. After all, blood is something money can't buy,' she said. She spoke to reporters after receiving the award at the national-level World Blood Donor Day appreciation ceremony and the silver jubilee celebration of the National Blood Centre, which Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad officiated. The Kuantan, Pahang native, who began donating blood at 18, said she remains in good health and free from any illnesses to this day. She expressed hope that more people, especially the younger generation, would come forward to become blood donors. Meanwhile, Anugerah Delima recipient Norhasri Mohamad Jadi, 44, has been donating blood since he was 28 due to a traumatic childhood experience. He was involved in a road accident at the age of three and suffered severe blood loss. He recalled that his family was returning to Kuala Lumpur from their hometown in Teluk Kemang, Negeri Sembilan when the vehicle skidded while trying to avoid a lorry. 'That's why I decided to become a blood donor. I realised just how life-changing a donor's contribution can be,' he said, adding that the crash left his right arm and leg permanently impaired. The O+ e-hailing driver has donated blood 99 times and was the only blood donor with a disability to receive an award at the ceremony. The Anugerah Delima is awarded to individuals who have made between 76 and 100 apheresis donations, where only specific components of the blood are collected, and the rest of the blood is returned to the donor's body during the same session, or 31 to 40 whole blood donations.
Barnama
a day ago
- Health
- Barnama
580 Blood Donations Earn Woman Prestigious ‘Medal For Life' Award
KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The struggle of finding O+ blood donors for her mother, who needed a transfusion after undergoing abdominal surgery nearly five decades ago, was a turning point for Chin Jeck Leng to become a dedicated blood donor. Driven by the determination to prevent others from going through the same ordeal, the 65-year-old does not mind making the trip to the National Blood Centre in Jalan Tun Razak every two weeks, all in the name of saving more lives. The former head of Human Resource Management at a local bank has donated blood an astounding 580 times, an extraordinary achievement that not only earned her widespread recognition but also made her the first woman in the country to receive the prestigious Medal for Life award. 'I was still a child during that surgery in 1980 and not eligible to donate. It was challenging to find donors among family and relatives, as not many were willing to give blood. 'And the only person willing to donate was my neighbour, who asked for payment. That was when I realised how vital the sacrifice of a blood donor truly is, as it offers hope to those in need. After all, blood is something money can't buy,' she said. She spoke to reporters after receiving the award at the national-level World Blood Donor Day appreciation ceremony and the silver jubilee celebration of the National Blood Centre, which Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad officiated. The Kuantan, Pahang native, who began donating blood at 18, said she remains in good health and free from any illnesses to this day. She expressed hope that more people, especially the younger generation, would come forward to become blood donors. Meanwhile, Anugerah Delima recipient Norhasri Mohamad Jadi, 44, has been donating blood since he was 28 due to a traumatic childhood experience. He was involved in a road accident at the age of three and suffered severe blood loss. He recalled that his family was returning to Kuala Lumpur from their hometown in Teluk Kemang, Negeri Sembilan when the vehicle skidded while trying to avoid a lorry.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Ageing nation: MOH targets youth to boost blood donations
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is intensifying efforts to encourage more young people to become blood donors, as the country prepares to face an ageing population by 2040. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that by then, 15 per cent of Malaysia's population is projected to be 65 and above, and the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is expected to further impact the pool of regular blood donors. 'Many repeat donors are no longer eligible to donate due to age or health limitations. Therefore, the MOH will continue to strengthen education and awareness initiatives, while also leveraging behavioural science insights from the collaboration between the National Blood Centre (PDN) and the Institute for Health Behavioural Research (IPTK),' he said. He added that the findings from the study help the ministry better understand the motivations behind repeat blood donations, allowing for more targeted and effective campaigns. These insights will also serve as the foundation for the National Blood Donation Strategic Plan 2026-2030, set to be launched in 2026. He said this at the national-level World Blood Donor Day 2025 and the PDN's silver jubilee celebration here today, which was also attended by PDN director Dr Mohamad Masrin Md Zahrin, along with 301 blood donors and campaign organisers. At the ceremony, four individuals - Liew Chin Yap, Liew Ship Boo, Ong See Kim, and Chin Jeck Leng - were honoured with the Medal for Life award for having donated blood more than 500 times over the course of their lives. Dzulkefly said that the PDN plays a crucial role in developing a more comprehensive donation ecosystem that includes not only blood, but also stem cells and organ donations. Since 2002, over 10,000 units of umbilical cord blood have been analysed to ensure that blood and tissue transfusions are conducted safely and effectively. He added that approximately 2,000 bags of blood are needed daily to treat around 1,000 patients. In 2024 alone, nearly 800,000 bags of blood were successfully collected, a 4 per cent increase compared with the previous year. 'This is a remarkable achievement, as each bag of donated blood has the potential to save up to three lives,' he said. In the meantime, he said that his ministry will launch the National Transfusion Medicine Services Policy 2025, developed by the PDN in collaboration with technical experts. The policy will outline strategic directions to strengthen governance, quality assurance, and the blood component supply chain nationwide. 'In addition, the Thalassemia Strategic Plan 2024-2030, launched last May, aims to achieve a donation rate of 3.5 per cent of the population, with 65 per cent comprising healthy repeat donors,' he added.
