\n<\/p>\n
Singapore\u2019s youth donor pool is shrinking drastically, with donations falling by more than half from 20,000 to under 9,600 over the past decade, the authorities said.<\/p>\n
This is despite an overall increase in donor numbers by 9 per cent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The decline is driven by a 15 per cent drop in youth population during the same period and declining participation rates among young people, HSA and SRC said.<\/p>\n
SRC will be partnering with popular brands such as Mixue and Wiggle Wiggle to reach younger audiences effectively, the authorities said.<\/p>\n
Partnerships with Institutes of Higher Learning to bring blood donation drives onto campuses will also be strengthened, Mr Ong said.<\/p>\n
Efforts will be stepped up to reach out to younger donors by strengthening partnerships with organisations and employers, Mr Ong said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWorkplaces are an effective channel to outreach to young working adults, who are very active donors,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen employers regard blood donation as a corporate social responsibility, without fail, their staff will come together and respond positively.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the anniversary event, Mr Ong also presented recognition awards to the nation\u2019s top donors for having donated blood at least 250 times in their life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Among them are Mr Lim Kim Koon and Mr Philip Tan who have each donated blood more than 345 times in their lifetime.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mr Mohamed Tahir Mohamed Yusof and Dr Sadali Bin Rasban were also honoured for donating blood for about 45 years, clocking about 300 donations each.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n