Soldiers donate blood

Soldiers donate blood

JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta Military Command has organized
a two-day blood drive ending today to help dengue fever patients
who need blood transfusions.

The campaign, which is open to the public, aims to collect at
least 300 units of blood. Each unit comprises 250 cc of blood.

"This is a campaign initiated by the military command to help
PMI (Indonesian Red Cross) collect blood for dengue fever
patients," the command's chief of staff, Maj. Didi Sudiana, said
yesterday.

Didi said employees and members of the Armed Forces in East
Jakarta would participate in the drive. Members of mass
organizations and youth groups as well as government officials in
the area have also been invited to join in.

"It is also meant to encourage the public to donate blood to
help dengue patients," he said as reported by Antara.

Dengue fever has claimed at least 70 people and hospitalized
over 8,300 in the city since January, according to official
statistics.