By Rachel Mina
KUCHING: Vixonsday Francis Ketir was named Malaysian Red Crescent’s prestigious top blood donor of the year at the Blood Donor Awards 2020 presentation ceremony on Saturday (Oct 16).
The presentation ceremony, organised by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Kuching Branch, was held at its building at Jalan Reservoir here.
Vixonsday, a retired firefighter, has been donating blood for the past 41 years since 1980.
With a total of 145 pints of blood to his credit, he has been donating blood every three months.
“My most recent donation was in July. I recently went to the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) to donate, but because of my injuries, they did not encourage me to do so,” he said.
However, after his recovery, the 60-year-old plans to continue donating his blood because he believes his service is still needed.
Since his employment with the Bau Fire and Rescue Department, he has been a regular blood donor at the Bau Hospital and whenever he visits Kuching, he donates blood at the Normah Medical Specialist Centre.
Speaking to New Sarawak Tribune after the Blood Donors Awards 2020 ceremony yesterday (Oct 16), Vixonsday said he was pleased to receive the award.
“However, it is more rewarding for me if people come up to me and thank me for the donations. I encourage everyone to donate blood as it is a good deed. Donating blood can help save lives and give those in need a second chance at life, ” he said.
Vixonsday urged more people to register as blood donors, stating that there was nothing to fear.
He added he has been encouraging his friends and family to donate blood.
“My son too, has been donating blood regularly. He has donated 15 times now,” he added.
In recognition of his noble deeds, Vixonsday received the Bentara Bintang Sarawak (BBS) state award in 2007.
