You could save a life!

This -mail has been sent to us from the Rotary Club of Koh Samui

You may remember that The Rotary Club of Koh Samui (ROCKS) appealed for help in 2007 to set up a Blood Donor Database. At that time there had been two emergencies on the island of Koh Samui , involving massive blood loss. In both cases, the victims were westerners with rare blood groups. The hospitals treating these emergencies did not have a stock of these rare blood groups and had to send out an appeal to Samui residents in the hope of finding a donor. Sadly, the first of the two victims succumbed to his injuries, but the second survived as a donor responded to the appeal in time.

The appeal resulted in a Database of over 35 names and contact details, with many of the participants having rare negative type blood groups. Within a few months, the database was called into use 3 times, saving those lives.
Since that time, participants of the database have moved away from Koh Samui, and other expatriates have joined the community. A recent blood emergency has brought home to us the need to update this valuable resource. So we are asking for you help again!

Ø If your name is on our list already, and you are happy to leave it there, there is no need to respond.
Ø If you know of someone who is on the list and has moved away from Koh Samui, please let us know.
Ø Those of you who wish to join with this vital project and have not done so already, please contact Adele @ ROCKS for a questionnaire and return it to rockstreasurer@rotarysamui.org
Ø If you do not know your blood type, ROCKS plans to hold a Blood Testing Day in conjunction with Thai International Hospital on 16th March between 1000 and 1500.

Please note that names and contact details will be stored in confidence by the hospitals of Koh Samui, and will not used for any other purpose other than an emergency appeal.

Thanks