For decades, a Malaysian woman has quietly saved countless lives through her extraordinary dedication to blood donation, having donated blood 581 times. Chin Jeck Leng, a 65-year-old retiree who recently became the first woman in the country to receive the prestigious Medal for Life award.
Image credit: Chin Jeck Leng
Chin began donating blood at the age of 18 and and has maintained a consistent routine ever since, visiting the National Blood Centre on Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, twice a month. Her dedication traces back to her childhood. In 1980, her mother required a blood transfusion for an abdominal surgery, and the family faced difficulty finding O+ donors.
“The only person willing to donate asked for payment. That moment made me realize how invaluable blood donors are. Blood is something that cannot be bought,” she recalled.
Growing up in Kuantan, Pahang, Chin noticed that few Chinese families donated blood, often believing it could weaken the body. Undeterred, she began her journey in whole blood donations and later switched to apheresis in 1995, a process allowing specific blood components to be collected while returning the rest to the donor, enabling more frequent contributions.
Commitment in action
Image credit: Bernama
Before retiring, Chin worked as head of Human Resource Management at a local bank and often organized blood donation drives. She maintains a healthy lifestyle, staying active with badminton and pickleball, and following a balanced diet to ensure the quality of her donations.
“It is my responsibility to ensure I provide blood of good quality for patients in need,” she said.
Inspiring others
Chin received her Medal for Life at the 2025 National World Blood Donor Day Appreciation Ceremony, officiated by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad. She expressed hope that more people, especially younger generations, would take up blood donation.
Image credit: Chin Jeck Leng
“It’s easy to give money when someone is in need, but donating blood is different. We all need one another, and you never know when you might need blood yourself,” she said.
The ceremony also recognized other donors, including Anugerah Delima recipient Norhasri Mohamad Jadi, 44, who has donated 99 times despite living with permanent disabilities from a childhood accident. Their dedication highlights the critical impact blood donors have on saving lives and supporting communities.
Chin Jeck Leng’s unwavering commitment, spanning nearly five decades, serves as a powerful example of selflessness and the difference one individual can make.
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