June 14, 2021 at 08:30 a.m. – Blood Bank, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University organized the World Blood Donor Day under the theme: “Give Blood and Keep the World Beating”. Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jirawutthipong, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine presided over the opening ceremony of the event. Assoc. Prof. Kriengsak Jenwitheesuk, M.D., Acting Director of the Blood Bank conveyed the reporting speech. A lot of Blood Bank administrators and staff attended the ceremony which took place at the Blood Donation Room, 1st Floor, Galayanivadhananusorn Building, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University.
Assoc. Prof. Kriengsak Jenwitheesuk, M.D., Acting Director of the Blood Bank said, “In order to have the world become aware and see the importance of blood donation and to thank the donors, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Red Cross Union, the International Federation of Red Crescent Society (IFRC), the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations (FIODS), and the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), asked for the cooperation of the international red cross to hold an activity to thank blood donors all over the world and promote blood transfusion service on June 14 of every year, beginning in 2004. The event has been held annually until now, the 17th year, in 2021. The slogan of this year is “Give Blood and Keep the world Beating.” KKU Blood Bank is campaigning regular blood donation and organizing a video clip competition under the theme “Turn loss to life with pure heart of giving”. The winning video will be used as the public relation media for the fiscal year 2021. There were 8 teams entering the competition, which was divided into 2 types, first for the public and second for students. The total prizes amounted to 50,000 baht, with certificates. Application began on April 1 and ended May 31, 2021. The prizes were given on the World Blood Donor Day, June 14, 2021. On this day, the Blood Donor Clinic was opened officially, although it has been under operation since September last year. This Blood Donor Clinic was founded for the first time in Thailand, with an aim to take care and give advice to blood donors by experts of the Blood Bank so that blood donation will be safe for both the donor and the recipient.”
Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jirawutthipong, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine said, “The Blood Bank, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University is an organization receiving blood donation so that there will be blood in circulation for treatment and operations of patients. The activity arranged on the World Blood Donor Day and the video clip competition under the theme, “Turn loss to life with pure heart of giving” today are the good activities and promote being givers by donating blood. The event also raises awareness and preparation of blood donors both physically and mentally, leading to safety of both the donor and the receiver. The media for public relation is expected to encourage blood donors to return to
The next activity was presentation of prizes by Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jirawutthipong, M.D. The winners are as follows:
Video clip winners
General Public Category
First Prize: (10,000 baht and a certificate)
- No winner
First Runner-up: (8,000 baht and a certificate)
- “Giver” Team: Mrs. Rinpa-orn Intarapanit and Mr. Pathong Masamee
Second Runner-up: (5,000 baht and a certificate)
- “K.R.GO” Team: Mrs. Supranee Phumipila and Mr. Anirut Ponsamrong
Honorable Mention Awards: (2,000 baht prize and a certificate)
- “Thai Na Dee” Team: Mr. Uthai Phrakhun, Miss Jintana Bunthan and Miss Monicha Vera Okwiry
- “Nid Pa Pai” Team: Mrs. Wanida Prathumthip and Miss Phuthita Changthes
Student Category
First Prize: (10,000 baht and a certificate)
- “Photographer Trainer” Team: Mr. Saritkiat Rerkthanakajorn, Mr. Kongphop Pramangkhata and Mr. Chanathip Wongsomsri
First Runner-up: (8,000 baht and a certificate)
- No winner
Second Runner-up: (5,000 baht and a certificate)
- “Sud Pang” Team: Miss Napassorn Tankamnoed, Mr. Pannop Uasereewong and Mr. Than Tiathawornchai
Honorable Mention Awards: (2,000 baht prize and a certificate)
- “My Friends” Team: Miss Phitsinee Sodorn, Miss Hathaiphat Jong-omklang and Miss Narintorn Phanrangsri
- “First Blood” Team: Mr. Suwatcharin Khonglertkitti and Miss Sansanee Sriraphon
The video clip competition under the concept, “Turn loss to life with pure heart of giving” was judged by the following honorable committee: Asst. Prof. Wiyada Panjarak, Deputy Director of the Blood Bank, the Chairperson; Dr. Piyanas Sudee, Chairperson of the Medical Illustration Program, Faculty of Medicine; Asst. Prof. Wanchai Suenwai, Ph.D., Assistant Director of the Health and Excellence Health Center; Mrs. Poonsap Sripara, Head of Blood Provision Unit and Mrs. Benjamaporn Mamuk, Head of Media Production Unit, Communications Division, Office of the President, Khon Kaen University.
For those wanting to donate blood, the guidelines are as follows: Age 17 – 70 years (if aged 17 years, there must be a letter of consent from the parent), weight: over 45 kilograms. The first-time donor must be lower than 70 years of age. Those aged 65-70 years need to have a medical check-up. Before donation, donors must be in good health and has slept for at least 6 hours. Those arriving from abroad or COVID-19 pandemic area or those checked positive of COVID-19 from the day of test to the day of recovery cannot donate blood for a period of 14 days. If after donation, COVID-19 infection was found, the person must report to the Blood Donation Unit at once.
Blood donors should avoid eating high-fat food, stop drinking alcohol for 24 hours before donation, stop smoking for 1 hour, has not undergone any operation in the previous 6 months, must not be sick or receive blood from others in one year. Women must not be in the menstruation period and the period must have stopped for at least 3 days. Pregnant women, breast-feeding women, women just giving birth or having miscarriage in the previous 6 months cannot donate blood. The person or the partner must not have any sex-risk factor. People having ear piercing, tattoo, tattoo removal, acupuncture during the previous 4 months cannot donate blood. Donors must not be taking antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, acne medicine, hair-growth stimulants, psychiatric medicine, and certain medications. Donors must not have a tooth pulled, filled, cleaned, or receive root canal treatment during the previous 3 days.
Due to the spread of Covid-19, the number of blood donors has become less, the Blood Bank, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine would like to invite you all to donate blood in order to help other people. Come to donate blood at Blood Donation Room, 1st Floor, Galayanivadhananusorn Building, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University.
Tel. 043-363 945
News / Photos: Wachara Noichompoo
