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Jean Ruthven Fraser MBE Hongkong Red Cross Blood Collection Centre manager, 1967-89.

First manager of the Red Cross Blood Collection Centre, Harcourt Road. Reporting to the Chair of the Management Committee, Sir Run Run Shaw. She organised the collection of blood, donor recruitment and forward planning.

Initially the management committee thought the collection centre would be staffed by volunteers from the expat community. It became apparent very quickly this would not work and Ruth advised a more formal structure, similar to government employed staff in the civil service and Health Department, with an employer's pension contribution.

Each step was taken and advised through the management committee.

Sir Run Run Shaw, Margret Castles, ....and others.

Each hospital and clinic, up till 1967 collected their own blood. Storing, crossmatching and delivering to theatres.

This responsibility was gradually transferred to the Harcourt Road Centre.

The media, Radio Television Hongkong, got behind donor recruitment drives and assisted with broadcasting to the community the Red Cross Blood Collection development.

Ruth attended international conferences in Geneva, Jakarta, Manila. Where she met and maintained friendships into her retirement.

The first of five mobile ambulances were purchased with funds, donations, from large Hongkong Organisations.

At six month intervals the Red Cross had Donor Award Ceromonies at Central Hotels.

Donor Recruitment, collection centres were set up in various shopping Centres. The first was at Harbour Centre First Floor.

Early life.

Ruth grew up in Longstone Cottages, Edinburgh. Attending Longstone Primary, Bourghmuir Secondary, Dean College.

She completed her SRN training at the Western General Hospital Edinburgh, going onto Paisley Royal Infirminary