Aon Singapore, Singapore’s top-rated Insurance Broker, in support of the National Blood Programme, conducted its third Aon Blood Donation Drive at its office in the SGX Centre on 14 April 2016. This event forms an integral part of Aon’s global corporate social responsibility programme, which also includes service days and charity donations across the world.
The Aon Blood Donation Drive saw 248 participants made up of Aon employees, insurers, reinsurers, corporate firms and the public. Altogether, 147 units of blood were successfully donated. According to estimates, this was enough blood to save up to 441 lives.
Mr Wee Teck Tea, Executive Director at Aon and project leader for Aon’s Blood Donation Drive shared that as an insurance broker serving the needs of the business community, it is important also to be mindful of the needs of the larger community. He shared that another focus of this initiative was to increase the awareness of blood donation, dispel fears of donating blood, and last but not least, to encourage more blood donors in the long term.
Mr Collin Chiew, Chief Executive Officer, Aon Risk Solutions, Singapore, has opened the event to the wider business community, so that Aon could invite fellow business associates to join hands to donate blood to help people in need.
Ms Chelvi d/o Duraiswamy from the Credit Bureau Singapore said, “This is my first time donating blood because it is at a convenient time and place.” She also shared that she would bring more of her colleagues over to blood donations in the future.
Mr Tan Ming Jian, an underwriter from Allianz, shared that it was not difficult to donate blood to save lives because it was a relatively safe and smooth process.
Aon would like to thank SGX Centre’s building management for their generous support and its fellow business associates in the insurance industry for their overwhelming participation. Aon would also like to express appreciation to Singapore Red Cross Society and HSA for making this event possible.
In addition to blood donors, a total of more than 50 Aon staff from various business units across the Aon group helped organise and facilitate the event. This fostered cross business unit collaboration beyond work which culminated as a sterling example of the Aon United spirit.
Ms Forn Ching Yee said, “It is heartwarming to see more than 50 colleagues volunteering for this event and more than 65 colleagues signing up to be donors even before the event started.”
While blood donation is for the healthy aged 16-60, those who are unable to give can also advocate the cause or volunteer for the Singapore Red Cross at blood drives or blood banks. Ms Pinky Tan, Senior Recruitment Specialist from Aon said, “I am not eligible to donate blood but I helped facilitate in this rewarding event as I have a strong belief in helping those in need.”
Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of Singapore Red Cross, said: “It is critical that we have an adequate supply of safe blood to meet all the blood transfusion needs in Singapore. Blood donation is a national priority and community responsibility. We are therefore very glad that Aon Singapore is mobilising its staff, clients and wider network to donate blood and support the national blood programme. With the continued support of organisations such as Aon Singapore, we can maintain a healthy blood supply and grow a sustainable blood donor pool. We hope that this will also encourage more organisations to partner us in mobilising blood donors."
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