Hope and Support as Expats Donate Blood in Shanghai

Local foreign residents gathered at Shanghai Blood Center to donate blood in an effort to spread hope and express their support for the community.

During yesterday's event, 90 expatriates donated a total of 136 units of whole blood and 20 units of platelets, according to the expat volunteer group Bloodline, one of the event organizers.

Shanghai needs about 1,500 units of whole blood and 200 units of platelets each day to meet clinical demand. Expatriates are an important source of blood and many foreigners are very active in blood donation.

Dr Ashish Maskay, a surgeon at Shanghai United Family Hospital and head of Bloodline, made his 60th donation at Sunday's event to encourage more expatriates to take part.

"I am honored to be a part of Shanghai's blood donation service. Bloodline has driven thousands of expatriates to give donation in Shanghai," said Maskay, who has been honored with the Magnolia Award, the city's highest accolade for expatriates, for his work in promoting blood donation.

Barbara Voccaro, from Italy, noted that it was the second time she had donated blood in Shanghai. Her family has a long history of donating blood, with her father a regular donor back home.

"I have been in Shanghai for 13 years. When my health condition is good enough, I come here to donate blood," she said.