435 blood donors awarded gold pins

JAKARTA (JP): Over 400 blood donors were received by President Soeharto yesterday in recognition of their 75-plus blood donations to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI)

Later at a separate ceremony, the 435 donors were also awarded gold pins by chairperson of PMI and Soeharto's daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.

In a written speech at the ceremony, held to mark the 52nd anniversary of PMI, Hardiyanti said the number of blood donors had increased by 26 percent this year.

Currently, PMI has 155 branches throughout the 27 provinces, Hardiyanti said.

Yesterday's honored donors came from various professions and backgrounds, from civil servants to housewives.

Ridwan Paoh, a traditional herbal medicine distributor from East Nusa Tenggara, told The Jakarta Post that he was motivated to donate blood after seeing an accident victim die from a lack of blood.

Ridwan, 41, said he has been a regular blood donor for the last 16 years.

Riantoko from Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, said he never donated blood until his sister needed blood when she gave birth. Since then he appreciates the importance of blood donations.

He has lost count of how many times he has donated blood since 1978. "But it's more than 75," he remarked.

M. Syafi'i, 39, had a similar experience donating blood for the first time. The Kediri, East Java, resident donated blood for his wife when she was in labor.

Despite their numerous and frequent donations, all seemed to expressed a commitment to continue giving blood.

The donators are currently being treated to an all expenses paid trip to Jakarta by the government. (09)