On January 11th (last Sunday), the overseas Chinese community in the Bay Area held the “International Love Blood Donation Marathon” simultaneously in multiple cities. The Stanford Blood Center’s large blood donation bus made its first entry into the South Bay Chinese Cultural Center, with 45 people donating blood to support the winter blood shortage.
This event was organized by the Overseas Community Affairs Commissioner Wei Dezhen and co-hosted by the National Taiwan University EMBA Alumni Association, the World Chinese Business and Professional Women’s Association Northern California Chapter, the Northern California National Taiwan University Alumni Association, the Northern California Chinese School Association, and the Northern California College Union.
Wei Dezhen stated that this was the first time the overseas community collaborated with the Stanford Blood Center and the first time the South Bay Chinese Cultural Center held an international blood donation charity event.
She pointed out that in the United States, on average, one person needs a blood transfusion every two seconds, and January is the period of the lowest blood donation levels. Through cooperation between the overseas community and mainstream organizations, she hoped to demonstrate the spirit of “Taiwan can help” through concrete actions and spread Taiwanese kindness and love to the Northern California community.
Deputy Consul General in San Francisco Zhu Yongchang stated in his speech that “one bag of blood, one life saved” not only embodies the spirit of blood donors’ good health and giving back to society but also fully reflects the long-term care and concern of Taiwanese compatriots for the community.
The Director of the South Bay Chinese Cultural Center, Zhuang Yashu, mentioned that the Stanford Blood Center’s first visit to the Chinese Cultural Center symbolized a significant breakthrough in the closer connection between the overseas Chinese community and the mainstream community. She emphasized that donating blood for a few minutes could save a life or even change a family’s future.
Mayor Carmen Montano expressed gratitude to volunteers and blood donors, stating that blood donation is an act of compassion, showing the best of humanity regardless of whether the beneficiaries are known.
Phillip Martin, the manager of the Stanford Blood Center, mentioned that this was one of the largest blood donation events of the center this year, coming at a critical time for blood banks. Each unit of blood can save three lives, providing significant help to multiple hospitals in Northern California.
Representative of the National Taiwan University EMBA and Chairman of the Warwick International Sports Development Foundation, Liu Yijun, stated that the global blood donation marathon has been launched in multiple cities, with the Northern California station being an essential part, hoping to continue holding such events in the future.
Dr. Dr. Shao Yang, a councilor of Fremont, expressed during his speech that he had been donating blood for many years, understanding deeply the value of blood donation to society, and responded to the event once again by practical action that day. He also mentioned his plans to run for California State Assembly in the 24th District, aiming to continue promoting community welfare through public service and concrete actions.
Several members of the overseas Chinese community also responded at the scene. National Taiwan University alumni Huang Jinren told reporters that he signed up immediately after seeing the promotion, and the blood donation process went smoothly, urging everyone not to be afraid. The President of the Northern California National Taiwan University Alumni Association, Zhuo Xinhui, donated blood together with her son Isaac Tsai, setting an example of giving back to society.
Interviewed by the media, the President of the World Chinese Business and Professional Women’s Association Northern California Chapter, Luo Qianru, stated that blood donation is the most direct and effective public welfare action, hoping to encourage more people to participate through cooperation with overseas Chinese organizations and continuous promotion.
The event also received support from several representatives of the overseas Chinese community and local community, including Head of the Consulate General in San Francisco Guo Huizhen, Deputy Director of the Chinese Cultural Center Cai Jiahua, Chairwoman of the National Day Celebration Committee Lin Xiuchun, Chairman of the MyDream Foundation in the United States Yang Zhichao, Chairman of the Chinese Sports Congress Chen Ligong, former President of the Northern California Chinese School Association Wang Changtai, and host He Taiguang, who took a group photo with the Stanford Blood Center’s medical team for a keepsake. ◇