Hong Kong – Appeal for blood donations as blood stocks run low

Appeal for blood donations as blood stocks run low

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:



     The spokesperson for the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (September 26) announced that the blood inventories have been depleted to very low levels, with only three to four days’ stock. It is important to duly replenish the blood inventories to meet the blood demand of local hospitals during the National Day and Chung Yeung Festival public holidays. The BTS urgently appealed to members of the public to donate blood to provide sufficient blood supply for clinical transfusion to patients.



     Blood collection has been unstable due to the capricious epidemic situation. The stock level might not meet the daily demand from local hospitals. Blood supply is crucial in local hospitals for treating various illness. Needless to say, blood collection is crucial for the accident and emergency departments, not to mention for emergency operations and organ transplants as well as for meeting blood demand from thalassemia and blood cancer patients.



     As a token of gratitude for the support of blood donors, the BTS has prepared a limited edition “Blood Donation Captain” recycle bag (see Annex 1) for blood donors who come forward to give blood at donor centres, while stocks last. Most of the BTS’ donor centres will maintain normal service during the National Day and Chung Yeung Festival public holidays (see Annex 2). The BTS welcomes the support of the public in blood donation. 



     Anyone aged between 16 and 65 (donation is possible up to the age of 75 if predetermined conditions are met), weighs 41kg or above and is in good health is eligible to give blood. To prevent crowds from gathering and long waiting times, donors are advised to make appointments by calling the donor centres, via the “HK Blood” mobile app or visiting the BTS website (www5.ha.org.hk/rcbts).

Ralph A. Mastrorio Recognized by Marquis Who’s Who for Excellence in Education

    MIDDLETOWN, RI, July 09, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ — Ralph A. Mastrorio has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Mastrorio initially earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Worcester State University in Massachusetts. He continued his academic efforts with a Master of Education and a Master of Arts in biological science from Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts. Mr. Mastrorio later completed coursework toward a Doctor of Education in medical biology from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Upon obtaining his bachelor’s degree in biology, Mr. Mastrorio’s intended on attending medical school before he was drafted by the United States Army during the Vietnam War during his second semester at Worcester State University. By that time, he had been hired to teach high school in the Wachusett Regional School District in Holden, Massachusetts. As a result, the district’s superintendent of schools wrote a letter requesting deferment to his draft board so that he could continue teaching in their high school. Finding the teaching profession to be fulfilling, Mr. Mastrorio excelled as a biology and bioethics teacher in the Wachusett Regional and Shrewsbury School Districts for over 30 years.

While teaching in the Shrewsbury School District, he counts among his most notable achievements the establishment of a program in Bioethics, the study of the moral issues emerging from advances in biology and medicine. The course was designed for Seniors at Shrewsbury High School. Mr. Mastrorio is proud of his acknowledgement as the first educator in central Massachusetts to develop a formalized sex education program for middle school students in the Shrewsbury School District.

Following his retirement from teaching high school, Mr. Mastrorio found success as an assistant professor in the department of education at Anna Maria College. He was additionally active as an adjunct professor at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. With the latter university, Mr. Mastrorio has further flourished as an instructor in the Circle of Scholars, a program offering seminars to senior members on a wide variety of subjects that include literature, history, science, health, music and art. At the age of 77, Mr. Mastrorio intends to continue teaching courses for the Circle of Scholars Program at Salve Regina.

About Marquis Who’s Who®


Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who’s Who titles, including Who’s Who in America®, Who’s Who in the World®, Who’s Who in American Law®, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who’s Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.