JOHOR BARU: A. Kumar has worked in the hotel industry for over 20 years without ever needing to take sick leave or see a doctor.
His secret to maintaining such a good work record? A steadfast commitment to donating blood, which he has done without fail for the past 34 years.
The 59-year-old’s blood donation journey began when he was just 25, due to a family emergency.
“At that time, my late mother was diagnosed with breast cancer which required blood transfusions as part of her treatment.
“My siblings and I came together to donate blood to help her,” Kumar said.
His mother passed away five years ago, but the experience left a lasting impact on him.
Since then, Kumar has donated blood annually, amassing 125 donations to date.
On his most recent milestone, he was honoured by Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) for his remarkable dedication.
Kumar, who has an A+ blood type, typically donates three to four times a year.
In addition to its life-saving benefits, Kumar believes blood donation has health advantages for the donor.
“Donating blood keeps our body healthier and younger. I’ve never had to take a medical certificate during my years working at the hotel,” he said, noting that he has never suffered from a fever or headache.
Johor Health Department director Dr Mohtar Pungut recently said the state requires an average of 250 bags of blood per day to meet hospital demand.
Despite a 6% increase in successful donations at HSA last year – totalling 35,274 bags – there remains a critical need for continuous contributions.
Dr Mohtar praised the community’s efforts, including those of campaign organisers and donors, hoping that such efforts can be maintained and become a catalyst to raise awareness on the life-saving importance of donating blood.
