2013.04.04
Kumoji blood donation center moves
Okinawa prefectural Red Cross Blood Donation Center Kumoji Branch office has moved to the third floor of Kumoji Central Bldg, just across the street from its former location. Their new address is 1-3-1 Kumoji, Naha city.
The new office is more than twice as large as the former facility, and has three new beds added having now a total of 13 beds.
The number of blood donations for transfusion in Japan, including Okinawa, is getting smaller because of decreasing birthrate and aging population. Blood donations from younger donors are shrinking leading to a shortage of blood for transfusion in Okinawa currently. The office is aiming at a 10% increase in blood donations with the help of their new facility.
The new facility is called “Kumoji Kenketsu Room” in Japanese, meaning Kumoji blood donation room. The facility is open weekdays from 9:30 a .m. to 17:30 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays (closed from 1 to 2 p.m. for lunch each day). The new facility includes a waiting room, blood collection room, resting room, kids’ space and a locker.
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima who also is the chief of the Okinawa Branch Office of the Red Cross Japan said “Now that we have a main facility where we can promote blood donation here, we will increase our promotions and thrive to secure a stable blood supply.”