Summer Blood Shortage Alert! Huang Jie and Lai Rui-long Call on Kaohsiung to Roll Up Sleeves and Donate Blood

As summer ushers in a critical period for blood supply, Kaohsiung takes the lead in launching a blood donation campaign! The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Kaohsiung City Party hosted a public blood donation event titled 'Donate Blood, Support Taiwan, Protect Our Homeland' today (9th) at the plaza in front of Dayeh Department Store. Responding to the call from DPP Chair and President Lai Qingde, the event urges the public to step forward during this time of tight blood inventory, rolling up their sleeves to donate life-saving blood.

DPP Kaohsiung Chair and Legislator Huang Jie, Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Lai Rui-long, along with city councilors Huang Yen-yu, Lin Chih-hung, council candidates Huang Ching-ya, Wu Yu-feng, Chang Yi-li, and Teng Chiao-pei, all attended to show support. Donors lined up from morning to evening, providing immediate relief to the national blood supply.

Integrating Fire Safety Education and Search-and-Rescue Dogs to Protect Lives

Huang Jie stated that summer is a traditional off-season for blood donations, and with blood reserves across Taiwan running low, the DPP Kaohsiung Party aims to act swiftly to inspire public participation. Through tangible actions, they hope to set an example, encouraging more capable and willing citizens to donate blood and contribute to society.

Huang Jie also expressed gratitude to Huang Hsiu-li, Captain of the First Promotion Team of the Kaohsiung Volunteer Fire Corps, and Cho Shu-ching, captain of the Lingya detachment, for bringing their team to conduct fire prevention outreach. Public safety education and event gifts helped motivate public participation in blood donation. Additionally, Liu Chung-en, specialist from the Kaohsiung City Fire Department’s Disaster Management Division, Su Yu-ming, captain of the Special Operations Team, and search-and-rescue handlers Wang Shih-hang and Chen Yi-chu brought their dogs 'Chuanba' and 'MOMO' to the event. The dogs drew public attention and added warmth to the charitable atmosphere.

Lai Rui-long noted that current blood reserves remain insufficient, with only about 4 to 7 days of supply left. He maintains a regular donation habit, giving blood approximately every three months. He thanked Chair Huang Jie for initiating the campaign and called on Kaohsiung citizens to roll up their sleeves during this urgent time of need.

Lai emphasized that Kaohsiung residents are known for their passion and generosity, urging everyone to join the blood donation effort. 'Everyone can be someone else’s hero—roll up your sleeves, and you don’t need a cape to be a hero!' He encouraged citizens to participate actively, using one bag of blood to help families in need. The event received enthusiastic support from various sectors.

Chuang Wei-chou, Chairman of the Kaohsiung Trust Friendship Association, and CEO Kao Wei-hsiang donated supplies to support the event. Former legislator and Presidential Office Special Assistant Lu Sun-ling traveled from Taipei to Kaohsiung to participate. Lu expressed her deep affection for Kaohsiung and gratitude to the city party for answering Chair Lai Qingde’s call. She noted that the Kaohsiung Trust Friendship Association has long promoted blood donation, holding events approximately every three months, aiming to continuously pass on the city’s passion and generosity to those in need.

Lin Chih-tien, Chairman of the Lingya District Village Chief Chairmen’s Association, expressed joy in assisting the event and thanked village chiefs including Wang Wen-lu, Wu Ming-hsien, Chuang Tsai-tung, Chu Yu-hsien, Chen Hsin-wu, Huang Li-hui, Liu Jung-fu, Wu Min-kuan, Chen Wen-hsi, and Tu Chia-fu for arriving early to donate blood and proactively informing nearby residents. He stated that blood donation is a simple yet highly meaningful act—by rolling up one’s sleeve, individuals can share their strength with families in need—and urged more people to join.

In addition to blood donation, fire safety education was conducted on-site. Li Hui-min, Chairman of the Kaohsiung City Fire Equipment Engineers Association, thanked the city party for providing a platform to introduce fire alarms and system-based alert devices to the public, enhancing awareness of home fire safety.

Li Hui-min also donated 200 Japanese-made residential fire alarms on behalf of the association, hoping that through tangible donations and outreach, public awareness of home fire prevention will rise, creating safer living environments for more families.

The event also received support from multiple civil groups, including the TSG Hawks baseball team, which provided rally towels, and generous donors who contributed Chi Mei food products, Buer Zhigi gift boxes, and CAS-certified eggs as incentives for blood donors.

Huang Jie emphasized that donating blood is not just about giving a bag of blood—it’s about sharing one’s strength with those in need. She called on Kaohsiung citizens to continue supporting blood donation efforts, allowing each bag of blood to become a collective force protecting lives and showcasing Kaohsiung’s most passionate and loving urban spirit.