They say not all heroes wear capes, and they were right. World Blood Donor Day 2025 saw a community of lifesavers gather in the halls of Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre with nothing out-of-the-ordinary except their heart to give and the blood in their veins.  

There was a palpable sense of excitement in the air as we stepped into Hall D of the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. It was World Blood Donor Day and 2,076 committed blood donors and 37 organisations were to be honoured for their steadfast role in saving lives and continuous support towards the National Blood Programme. 

Amongst them were Medal for Life awardee Mr Girish Ramchand Lakhani, Champion of Champions Medallion-ists Mr Yasim Bin Mohamed Yatim and Mr Amri Fadzillah, as well as Youthphoria awardees Ms Candice Tan and Mr Cris Anthony Sarmien Dinglasan. All of them had inspiring stories that displayed dedication to saving lives, influencing their communities for good, and leaving a legacy that will impact the next generation. 

In attendance were the Guest of Honour, Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Mr Ong Ye Kung, Health Sciences Authority (HSA) Chairman Professor Benjamin Ong and Chief Executive Officer Adjunct Professor Dr Raymond Chua, as well as Singapore Red Cross (SRC) Secretary General and CEO Mr Benjamin William and Chairman Mr Tan Kai Hoe.

Words for the Next Generation

SRC Chairman Mr Tan Kai Hoe opened the annual event, outlining the vibrant, carefully curated initiatives that SRC have launched to attract the next generation of blood donors. These include youth-focused collaborations with media companies such as +82, a partnership with Invade to host blood drives at ARTBOX, and social media campaigns featuring influencer collaborations to promote blood donation. He also discussed forthcoming efforts like the Blood Advocacy Challenge, supported by the National Youth Council, as well as the numerous thematic blood drives designed to expand the youth donor pool.

“Blood donation is a critical component of national emergency preparedness. Blood products are a vital part of the healthcare ecosystem. Everyone has a part to play — from young persons like Candice and Jaclyn to veterans like Mr Girish and Mr Yasim. With your help, we hope to grow this dedicated community of lifesavers and advocates, who will inspire even more people to begin their lifesaving journey.”

Subsequently, the Guest of Honour, Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Mr Ong Ye Kung, delivered his address. He spoke about his personal challenges in his journey to donate blood, having lived in the United Kingdom during his university years when variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) was prevalent — a condition that could be contracted through consuming contaminated beef, more commonly known as Mad Cow disease. However, following a subsequent policy revision, he is now able to donate blood through apheresis, a process which renders the risk of blood contamination by vCJD negligible.

The Minister emphasised that these successful initiatives have demonstrated a clear lesson: whilst blood donation serves a serious cause, it should be conducted with enjoyment and celebration, as giving should be a joyous act. He noted that HSA and SRC will continue to expand their partnerships, curating collaborations with brands that make blood donation convenient, relatable, and enjoyable. 

He concluded by exhorting the powerful network of everyday heroes in Singapore —  donors from all walks of life who step forward to present the precious gift of blood to complete strangers, understanding that their simple gesture can profoundly impact others. He concluded by urging continued support for this critical mission of ensuring Singapore's blood supply remains sustainable for generations to come. 

Building the Nation Together

Mr Elvis Chung then took the stage to offer a patient's perspective on the importance of blood donation. Having lived with Thalassaemia Major since primary school — a severe inherited blood disorder characterised by the body's inability to produce sufficient haemoglobin — Mr Chung has required blood transfusions every three weeks throughout his life. Despite this medical challenge, the regular generosity of blood donors has enabled him to lead a fulfilling life, working in finance for thirty years, enjoying a happy marriage, and currently pursuing a rewarding retirement. He emphasised that each blood donation can allow up to three individuals to live their best lives, and shared how he personally experienced the impact of blood shortages in Singapore, when reduced transfusion volumes physically affected his wellbeing.

In a post-event interview, Mr Chung conveyed his message to the public: "Spread the word and encourage more people to donate blood. You're contributing to nation-building in a way because when you donate blood, you're enabling someone to work. And when they work, they are contributing to society."

After the awards were given out, medalled donors, company representatives, and their families piled into the adjourning halls to donate blood and enjoy the carnival. Later that evening, +82 turned the hall into a dance floor with a stellar lineup of acts hailing from Korea. A huge thank you to all the volunteers, staff, and donors for making this event a success.