A spirit of compassion and community came alive on June 28 as migrant volunteer organisation 24Asia brought together migrant workers, local residents and youth volunteers for a blood donation drive in support of the Singapore National Blood Programme.
Held simultaneously at the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) Bloodbank at Outram Road and Westgate shopping mall in Jurong East, the initiative was organised in partnership with the Singapore Red Cross and the Singapore Kindness Movement, with support from Temasek Foundation.
Guided by the values of social unity, diversity and humanity, the organisers aimed to collect 100 units of blood. By the end of the day, more than 90 units had been donated, making the event a success.
More than 60 volunteers worked across both locations to ensure the donation process was smooth and welcoming for participants. Donors were presented with certificates of appreciation, official 24Asia T-shirts and special gift tokens in recognition of their contribution.
The drive stood out not only for the number of donations collected but also for bringing together people from different backgrounds for a common cause. Local residents and migrant workers donated side by side, reinforcing the message that saving lives transcends nationality and occupation.
Eighteen-year-old Millennia Institute student S.M. Bharathi said volunteering at the event gave her a fresh perspective on the migrant community.
“The experience made me realise that no matter where people come from or what they do, everyone simply wants to be respected and appreciated,” she said.
Construction worker Hasan Mohamdul, 30, stressed the importance of regular blood donation.
“Blood cannot be manufactured artificially. People need to come forward and donate because every donation can help save lives,” he said.
To make the drive more accessible, 24Asia deliberately selected two venues. Vice-president Tasrif Ahmed explained that many migrant workers live in Singapore’s west, making Westgate a convenient location for them to participate.
The friendly atmosphere also helped ease the fears of first-time donors. Republic Polytechnic student M. Nivedha, 19, recalled comforting a nervous donor who eventually completed the donation and later thanked volunteers for encouraging him to take part.
For Lee Jun Xian, a 22-year-old student from Nanyang Technological University making his first blood donation, the event was about more than giving blood.
“It was a rare opportunity for local youths and migrant workers to interact, get to know one another and build meaningful friendships while contributing to society,” he said.
