Lee Yong Hao, a Secondary 5 student at Beatty Secondary School, overcame his fear of needles and donated blood for the first time last year. This year, at least 60 other students like him will donate blood on SPH's Red Apple Day on May 22.

'I feel proud that I finally plucked up the courage to donate blood. After the first experience, I'm not scared anymore as I know I am helping to save lives," said Mr Lee, 17.

Beatty Secondary School is working with Singapore Press Holdings to organise the blood donation drive on May 22 as it helps students learn about the importance of blood donation, teacher Adel Ong said.

She added that the school had organised its own blood donation drive last year with the Singapore Blood Bank and Red Cross Society of Singapore. As the minimum age to donate blood is 16 years, some Secondary 4 and 5 students were eligible to be donors.

'Students who donated blood last year will be sharing their experiences, nudging the rest to step forward for a worthy cause,' Ms Ong said.

Last year, 103 people, including teachers, donated blood as a result of awareness spread by the students. They are helping to raise awareness again this year by distributing fliers in the Bishan and Toa Payoh neighbourhoods.

The Singapore Blood Bank requires about 350 units of blood each day to meet the needs of hospital patients requiring critical transplant surgery.

Most of the stocks are used in blood transfusion needed by patients suffering from leukaemia or haematological cancers.

At last year's Red Apple Day, a record turnout of 336 people donated 209 units of blood. SPH launched the Red Apple Day blood drive in 2001. It has partnered with the school this year to build the next generation of regular blood donors.

Mrs Rose Ang, a senior teacher from Beatty Secondary, made her first blood donation last year. Though apprehensive at first, the thought of being able to help save lives overcame her initial fears.

'I will donate blood this year, too, as part of my little contribution to the community. My blood is not lost but flows once again in some other person It is definitely worthwhile,' she said.

The Singapore Press Holdings' Red Apple Day will be held on May 22 between 11am and 5pm at the News Centre Auditorium.

SPH has been holding the blood donation drive since 2001 to encourage staff and the public to donate blood.