Press Release

May 28, 2008

The recent earthquake in Sichuan Province has highlighted the critical role that blood and blood products play during an emergency or disaster relief. Every blood donation has the potential to save the lives of two recipients.

On Wednesday, May 28, 2008, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing held its first ever blood drive in partnership with Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics and the Chaoyang Blood Administration Center. Nearly 60 American diplomats and Embassy staff donated blood throughout the day. "I'm glad to have this opportunity to help," said U.S. Chargé d'affaires Daniel Piccuta. "Blood drives are very common in the U.S. through schools, offices and places of worship. About 8 million Americans donate blood each year in the U.S." Dr. Larry Padget, the Embassy's Regional Medical Officer, said, "I am extremely pleased at the overwhelming response from the Embassy. The response was so great, we plan on making this a yearly event to help out our local community."

The blood drive is part of the medical preparation for the foreign tourists and athletes who will attend the Olympic Games this summer. One goal of the drive is to increase the reserves of Rhesus (Rh) negative blood, which is a more common blood type among Westerners than among Chinese. With over 500,000 foreign visitors expected this summer, the Beijing Red Cross Blood Center has been planning for the last two years to build up its reserves of blood, especially of the Rh-negative type, in order to meet any emergency.

Rhesus (Rh) refers to a blood group antigen that is present on the surface of red cells. The presence or absence of this antigen is known as the Rh factor. People who have the antigen are Rh-positive, while those who lack it are Rh-negative. When a transfusion is necessary, it is critical that both the donor and the recipient have the same type of Rhesus (Rh) factor. Up to 15% of Westerners have Rh-negative blood, whereas only 0.3% of Han Chinese do.

According to Dr. Sun Fei, Chairperson of the United Family Hospital Laboratory, the blood collected at the Embassy will go to the Beijing Red Cross. The Rh-negative blood from the blood drive will be frozen so it can be used this summer. "This blood will be used where it is needed most," Dr. Sun said.

Note: Photos of this event are available for downloading from the U.S. Embassy website at:

English: http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/052808e.html

Chinese: http://chinese.usembassy-china.org.cn/052808e.html