At Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, Dr. Chow Kai-ming serves as the head of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, leading his team to treat patients on the frontlines with professional expertise. However, with just a short fifteen-minute bike ride, his identity quietly transforms—from a senior doctor in the consultation room to an enthusiastic donor on the blood donation bed, continuing to benefit patients. This 15-minute journey is not just a physical commute; it's his way of leading by example to interpret the "benevolence of a healer." He encourages everyone, saying, "Do not think any virtue trivial, and therefore neglect it." If each person takes one extra step, the world will be a better place.
"The time we actually need to donate blood is really not much. In the time it takes to eat a meal, you can already donate a bag of blood, and that one bag can help three people." Over the past three years, Chow has insisted on using his lunch break or free time after work to ride his bike alone from Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin to the nearest Sha Tin Blood Donation Centre. He describes it: "It takes 15 minutes to bike there to donate, just 15 minutes. So convenient, great!"
For him, this small habit is not only about helping others but also a solemn promise that must be fulfilled. "In the time we eat one meal, we can donate three bags of blood. One bag of blood helps three people. Skipping one meal really isn't important!" Chow how points out that compared to sacrificing a lunch break, the significance of donating blood to help others is far greater.
This habit originated from a painful experience three years ago. A close female friend of his was diagnosed with severe hemorrhagic stomach cancer and urgently needed massive blood transfusions during treatment, using over 10 bags of blood in total. As a doctor, Chow made a promise to his friend on her sickbed, urging her to fight the disease actively and return home to her family. He mentioned that he also has type B blood and therefore would "return" this blood to the Red Cross on her behalf in the future. Chow never forgot this promise and has since donated over twenty bags of blood. "I feel I must live up to my patients and not waste any bag of blood from the Red Cross," he says firmly.
Having witnessed countless life-and-death situations, Chow holds a more open-minded view of life. He deeply believes in the principle "Do not think any virtue trivial, and therefore neglect it,"holding that true acts of kindness know no size. "If everyone can take one step to help others in small matters, like holding the elevator door for someone or helping push a hospital bed, these actions would make the world much happier and more complete."
This spirit of dedication extends even to the end of his life. Chow has long decided to donate his organs after he passes away. He states frankly, "When I leave this world, my organs will no longer be of help to my body. I am willing to donate my organs, such as kidneys, liver. If they can help others, that is a better gift."
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Donor Eligibility:
