selected item

Why we give: The people behind our blood drive in Singapore

Discover how we're partnering with Singapore Red Cross and why our teams here give blood and help save lives across the city.
News April 4, 2025
  • We’ve partnered with the Singapore Red Cross to donate blood and save lives.
  • Since 1999, we’ve helped collect more than 15,000 units of blood.
  • Many of the blood donors are our ExxonMobil colleagues. 

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, it's easy to overlook quiet acts of heroism happening around us. 

This year, we want to shine the spotlight on a group of our colleagues — the regular blood donors.

These individuals take time out of their busy schedules to donate blood, a simple yet profoundly impactful act that can save countless lives. 

In fact, ExxonMobil in Singapore has been working with the Singapore Red Cross for more than two decades. We’ve been organizing mobile blood drives to encourage others to come forward and donate blood. Many of our employees also donate blood during these organized sessions.

Since 1999, we have helped make a difference, with over 15,000 bags of blood collected through these mobile drives (or about 5,250 litres!)

So, why do they do it? Let’s hear from them, in their own words:

Low Jiun Jie

Jiun Jie’s (JJ) life-giving journey– which has reached more than 30 blood donations – began with our in-house blood drive, and a little peer pressure.

“In the past, there was no motivating factor for me to actively go and donate blood, considering it’s a hassle to go to a blood bank, as there weren’t any near me,” JJ said.

“Being able to donate blood at my workplace gave me no real ‘excuse’ not to.” He added that he was also encouraged by his co-workers, who were active blood donors.

After his first donation, JJ realized how simple and pain free the processes was, adding that it only took one hour. Those factors encouraged him to regularly donate every three months.

He’s also encouraging others to donate blood by decorating his work desk with the many ‘blood buddy’ stress balls he’s been given after each donation, which work as conversation starters with other colleagues who pass by his desk.

“The fact that I know each time I donate blood I’m contributing to helping three lives. I feel a sense of belonging and responsibility towards the community through this activity,” he said.

“It’s going to be part of my lifestyle as long as I’m eligible.”

Jiun Jie lines up the "blood buddy" stress balls he's collected over the years at his workstation to raise awareness about donating blood.
Dan Yap (left) and colleague Tan Swee Huang donated blood at our 2025 ExxonMobil Singapore mobile blood donation drive.

Dan Yap

Dan has made it a habit to donate blood.

He began donating when he was in school and has since made multiple trips to blood donation centers.

Dan said having onsite blood drives in the workplace, or accessible locations in Singapore makes giving blood even more convenient.

He was among our colleagues who donated blood at the ExxonMobil blood drive at Fusionopolis One in March 2025.

Dan is a strong advocate for blood donation, and convinces others to give as well, stating that he brings it up whenever he has the chance.

He also shares his personal views about the benefits of regularly donating blood. 

Cheryl Loh

Cheryl has been donating blood since she was 18 years old, and even gained the nickname the ‘siao on’ (crazily enthusiastic) blood donor.

She plans ahead of each blood donation, ensuring that she meets the 45kg minimum weight requirement. 

"I'd eat more in the days or weeks prior! My friends used to laugh at me for trying to gain weight just for this, but it's worth it!" she said.

She always asks her friends and family to join her too.

In more recent years, pregnancy and nursing her infants put a pause on her blood donations. 

Cheryl said she continues to give blood “because it’s about helping others and savings lives”. 

“Who knows, one day in the future, it could be my loved ones or friends who may need blood urgently.”

Cheryl donating blood at our mobile blood donation drive in ExxonMobil's Singapore Chemical Plant in 2015.
Doyle donating blood at the Bloodbank @ Westgate Tower on April 3, 2025.

Doyle Yee

Despite his initial fear of needles, Doyle has taken the leap and is now a regular blood donor. He added that he now wants to make it a lifelong habit. 

He said it was his ExxonMobil Singapore workmates, in the Utilities division of the Singapore Complex, who convinced him to face his fear of needles and give blood. Doyle soon realized “right after the first donation, that my fears were unfounded, and could be overcome”.

It was a turning point for him.

Since then, Doyle has continued to donate blood, even at the blood bank during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

When he was deemed ineligible at our recent annual drive because of his overseas travels in December that fell slightly short of the four-month clearance window, he headed down to the blood bank a few days later to do it in his own time. 

Doyle said he wants it to become a habit of lifetime, adding, “I want to continue donating blood for as long as I am able to.”