Residents Rush to Donate Blood Following Train Accident|普悠瑪翻覆傷亡慘重民眾大排長龍捐熱血

發布時間：2018/10/23 16:38 更新時間：2018/10/23 17:57

C. Chuang

Many people rushed to donate blood upon hearing the news that Yilan's blood stock was in short supply after the fatal derailment. Some had to wait two to three hours in line for the opportunity to donate blood.

The waiting area is completely filled with people. Those who couldn't find a seat wait quietly. This was the scene at Kaohsiung Blood Center's Qianjin Blood Donation Station on Oct. 22. People kept pouring into the station, even though the waiting time to donate blood was two to three hours. Moreover, no complaints were heard.

There is a blood shortage now, and I wanted to come help in this way. I've been waiting for a long time, about two hours.

We are regular blood donors, we donate blood every two to three months. This time happened to coincide with the accident, we didn't know we would have to wait so long.

A Puyuma Express train derailed in Yilan County on Oct. 21, injuring hundreds. Even though Kaohsiung and Yilan are separated by many kilometers, Kaohsiung residents still wanted to help the victims. The number of blood donors at the donation station was about triple the normal number. In Hualien County, people also lined up to give blood, as there were reports that Yilan's blood stock was in short supply.

I wanted to come and donate blood, because I saw some news yesterday about a blood shortage.

Blood has already been sent from Taipei to the scene of the accident, and there are no problems. However, our reserve supply is at under seven days, and we would like to raise it to seven days, which is the safe level.

The Taiwan Blood Services Foundation says Yilan County's blood reserve was insufficient at the time of the accident due to the high number of injured people. Blood banks in northern Taiwan sent blood, and the situation has stabilized. Yilan Blood Center's supply is currently five times the daily reserve. Blood can be stored for 35 days, while blood donors should wait two months between donations. The foundation says there is no need for the public to rush to donate blood now. Instead, they can become regular blood donors to help maintain reserve supplies and prevent waste.