| James Kon |
FROM first impressions, 65-year-old Tung Yiu Hung seems like any normal, healthy senior citizen. Delve a little deeper into his background though, and one will soon discover that the sexagenarian is actually quite out of the ordinary.
Tung, setting an exemplary example for blood donors in the country, has bled for a good cause a total of 121 times since 1994. He is urging more of the young generation to come forward and donate blood like him.
Speaking to the Bulletin on the sidelines of a blood donation drive held at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital yesterday, he said, “We encourage the public especially the young generation to donate blood and platelets, because doing so not only saves lives but is also good for health, for example it improves one’s overall cardiovascular health.
“Prior to the blood donation, would-be donors are also given a free health checkup,” he added. When asked about his experience the very first time he donated blood in 1994, he recounted, “My friend asked me to join a blood donation drive. I was a bit nervous because I was worried about the pain but it wasn’t that bad.
“From that day on, I started to donate blood yearly. I will continue to donate blood, health permitting.”
Tung was among a group of more than 20 active blood donors who gathered to donate blood at RIPAS Hospital yesterday.
“As a group of active blood donors, we are happy to participate in such a blood drive again. We have been donating blood at least four times annually for quite a while now,” Tung said.
He continued, “We believe that blood donation is an important contribution to the community. As foreigners residing in Brunei, we believe that this is the least we can do to contribute back to the community.”
Tung added that he also donates his platelets whenever RIPAS Hospital is in urgent need of supplies. He says that his son, Tung Yee Keong, is following in his footsteps and has been donating blood since he turned 18. The junior Tung has given blood 13 times to date.
Another seasoned blood donor, 52-year-old Too Chun Chen, says that giving blood is the best feeling ever.
“I feel great after blood donations because I know that my blood can help save lives. I also feel that blood donations can help reduce the risk of heart diseases,” said Too, who has given blood 61 times since 1996. “I hope to continue donating blood for years to come.”
Also present at the blood drive was Low Tong Wah, a famous name within Bruneian blood donation circles. The selfless chap has gone under the needle to give blood a grand total of 127 times since 1986, the highest tally among foreigners in Brunei.