Perak: An accident 34 years ago proved to be life-altering for a lorry driver, leading him to a lifetime commitment of donating his rare Rh-negative blood. S. Shanmugam, now 54, has become the largest donor of this rare blood type at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) over the past 33 years, with a total of 54 donations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shanmugam’s journey as a blood donor began after a road accident in 1991 left him with a broken leg and other injuries. The surgery was delayed due to the scarcity of his blood type, prompting him to realize the importance of donating blood. Since then, Shanmugam has been driven by a sense of responsibility towards the community, hoping that each donation could potentially save a life.
Living in Teluk Intan, Shanmugam makes it a point to visit HRPB four times a year to donate blood. In Malaysia, Rh-negative blood is rare, with most of the population having Rh-positive blood, making his contributions particularly valuable.
The state Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs, and National Integration Committee chairman, A. Sivanesan, presented awards to donors, including Shanmugam, during Perak’s celebration of 2025 World Blood Donor Day at Slim River Hospital.
Another notable donor, Beh Zeng Kang, aged 29, was recognized as the Best Blood Donor for common blood types in Perak, having donated 51 times since the age of 17. Beh, a legal consultant with blood type O, shares a similar dedication, donating four times a year and participating in programs organized by authorities and NGOs.
Sivanesan highlighted that the state collected over 64,416 bags of blood last year through various donation events, with Chinese donors making up the largest percentage at 48.32%, followed by Malays, Indians, and other races. The demand for blood bags is growing, with an estimated requirement of 80,000 bags per year in the state.
Special certificates of appreciation were also awarded to 36 continuous blood donors, as well as to 15 organizers for their successful blood donation campaigns that have significantly contributed to the supply of blood bags in Perak.