To encourage people to step up and make a donation, the Phuket RBC will be giving away free ‘Give Blood Save Life’ T-shirts to people who donate blood at its offices in Phuket Town anytime from 8:30am to 7:30pm on April 9-11, or from 9am to 3:30pm on Apr 12-16.
The T-shirt giveaway aims to help make Songkran, “bright, cheerful, fun and happy”, the RBC said in its announcement.
On a more sombre note, just weeks ago the Phuket RBC made an urgent call for donors to step up to help replenish the reserves of blood for transfusions.
Blood stocks in Phuket remained at critically low levels due to an increasing number of road accidents, with Phuket hospitals in dire need of all types of blood for transfusions.
As of Mar 30, the province recorded 52 road deaths since the start of the year compared with 33 in the first quarter of 2023. As of today (Apr 9), Phuket’s road-accident toll for the year stands at 53 people killed and a further 7,613 people admitted to hospital for injuries sustained in road accidents.
With the Songkran holidays among the most dangerous days of the year on Thailand’s roads, many more accidents, and injuries, are expected.
All donors are welcome, though Rh-negative donors are in the highest demand.
People can also donate blood directly at the Phuket Regional Blood Center (Phuket RBC) in Phuket Town:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 8.30am to 4.30pm
Tuesday, Thursday – 8.30am to 8pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays – 9am to 3pm
Telephones – 076-251178 ext 2 or 081-9588854
Facebook – Phuket RBC and Region Phuket NBC.
Donations can also be made at Vachira Phuket Hospital on Yaowarat Rd in Phuket Town:
Monday to Friday – 8.30am to 8pm
Weekends and holidays – 8.30am to 3pm
Telephone – 076-361234 ext 1287
Facebook – Blood Bank, Vachira Phuket Hospital.