[Report] "We Need Blood" Text Sparks Everyday Heroes to Rush Out

Blood Shortage Text Message Brings 414 Donors in One Day → 700 Donors
Citizens Unite: "It's Time to Actively Participate in Blood Donation"
If the Effect is Temporary, Emergency Situations May Recur

On the 19th, a nurse is drawing blood from blood donation applicants at the Blood Donation House Gwanghwamun Center located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] "I heard that blood was running low, so I came running."

On the morning of the 19th, a weekend day, the Blood Donation House Gwanghwamun Center located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, saw a steady stream of blood donation applicants from early hours.

Blood Donors Surge 59% After 'Blood Shortage' Disaster Text

Kim So-yeon (22), who visited the Gwanghwamun Center that day, said, "I have been donating blood regularly since high school, but I stopped after the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased." She added, "I came after learning about the blood shortage through media reports and the Ministry of Health and Welfare's emergency disaster text message." Lee Deok-yong (44) also said, "I have been donating steadily since the outbreak of COVID-19, but I hurried over after receiving a text yesterday saying blood was in short supply."

Emergency disaster message sent by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 18th

Earlier, the Ministry of Health and Welfare sent an emergency disaster text on the morning of the 18th, two days after blood supplies dropped to 60% of the adequate five-day supply (2.8 days) as of midnight on the 16th, urging people to participate in blood donation.

Citizens Say, “It’s Time to Actively Participate in Blood Donation”

On that day, 66 blood donation applicants visited the Gwanghwamun Center. This number is more than double the usual weekend reservation count of around 30 since the COVID-19 outbreak. A center official explained, "There are more offices than residential areas around the Gwanghwamun Center, so blood donors sharply decrease on weekends," adding, "Many donors came after seeing the disaster text." Nationwide, the number of blood donors also surged. Before the Ministry’s text message on the 17th, there were 414 donors nationwide, which increased to 700 on the 19th.

The Blood Donation Center Hongdae located in Mapo-gu, Seoul is bustling with blood donation participants.

At the Blood Donation House Hongdae Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, citizens also continued to visit. The day before the emergency text was sent, there were only 28 donors, but by around 12:30 PM on that day, the number had already exceeded 30. Despite it being lunchtime, 7 to 8 people were waiting in line to donate blood. Jo (30), an elementary school teacher, said, "COVID-19 is not transmitted through blood, and donating blood is not difficult, so I hope many people participate." University student Jeon Su-min (27) also said, "Blood donation is the only way to help those who need transfusions," adding, "I understand concerns about COVID-19, but I hope people come and donate."

Blood Donation Must Continue to Prevent Blood Shortage Crisis

Field officials appealed for more active participation in blood donation from the public. Kang Gong-soon, a nurse (65) at the Blood Donation House Hongdae Center, said, "If people come only once and then stop coming, the blood shortage crisis will continue to repeat," expressing the difficulty. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, from November 16 to this month’s 17th, nationwide blood donation totaled 206,915 cases, a 12.4% decrease compared to 236,303 cases during the same period last year. During this period, 23,310 group blood donations by soldiers and students were canceled due to the spread of COVID-19.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated, "We have installed partitions in the screening rooms for social distancing, and everyone entering is required to disinfect their hands and wear masks," adding, "We are fully committed to quarantine measures, so please participate in blood donation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.