Taipei, July 10 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian donated blood Thursday as part of his efforts to inspire more citizens to do the same in order to help relieve the blood shortage some areas in Taiwan are facing.
Chen, leading the Presidential Office staff in donating blood at the Presidential Office conference room, also encouraged journalists covering the event to make a blood donation to help in the campaign.
A Presidential Office spokesman said Chen has on many occasions donated blood in recent years. However, as the president visited several epidemic-stricken African countries in June of last year, he had to wait until July of this year to be able to donate blood. According to current regulations, those who have been to an area affected by a statutory communicable disease cannot donate blood within one year after returning to Taiwan.