WEST BANGKA -- The Health Week series in celebration of PT Timah’s 49th Anniversary in Mentok, West Bangka, also featured a blood donation drive held at the soccer field area of the PT Timah Mentok Complex on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Dozens of blood bags were collected during this 49th anniversary event, which carried the theme "For the Red and White." The blood donation activity, held alongside the fun walk event, received an enthusiastic response from the public, including fun walk participants who voluntarily donated their blood.
PT Timah collaborated with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of West Bangka to organize this blood donation. Previously, similar activities had already been held in Bangka, Belitung Island, Kundur Island, and Jakarta.
One of the participants, Sudirman, a resident of Sungai Baru Sub-district, said he was moved to donate spontaneously when passing by the PMI booth.
“While walking around, I saw the PMI booth and decided to donate. It’s been a year since my last donation. I just wanted to help — for humanitarian reasons,” he said.
He added that he usually donates blood only when there’s a direct request from a patient’s family. “Normally, I donate at the hospital if a family member needs blood,” he explained.
Achmad Nursyandi, Secretary of PMI West Bangka, who was also present and donated blood himself, appreciated the social initiative. He said the demand for blood in West Bangka is quite high, especially for dialysis patients, dengue fever cases, and other chronic illnesses.
“Events like this really help in meeting the blood supply needs in West Bangka. Hopefully, these activities can continue in the future,” Nursyandi expressed.
He also noted that PMI West Bangka regularly partners with PT Timah Tbk in various humanitarian initiatives.
“Our collaboration with PT Timah isn’t limited to this event. We’ve worked together on other social programs too, such as those with healthcare partners, and during anniversaries of the military, police, and civil servants,” he explained.
As the Head of the Social and Community Empowerment Office of West Bangka, he also encouraged the public not to be afraid of donating blood.
“Donating blood is healthy — it improves blood circulation and boosts physical fitness,” he concluded.
