As donation campaigns spread across university districts and campuses work to create safe, welcoming donation environments, volunteers are assisting with interpretation, guidance, and clear explanations of safe donation procedures—boosting participation in the process. To lower language barriers for foreign blood donors, the Korean Red Cross Blood Services is running the Korea Translation & Interpreting Supporters program. CBT reporters interviewed a program official, a CBNU student who is volunteering as a supporter, and foreign participants who received interpreting support to hear about program operations, activities, and their experiences.
The Korean Red Cross is operating the supporters’ program throughout 2025, providing on-site interpreting for foreign donors, translation of materials, and promotional activities. The program is designed to cover interpretation at reception and medical screening, translation of blood-service documents, interpretation at international events and visits, and outreach to foreign residents in Korea. Activities are primarily conducted in the volunteer’s assigned region, with cross-regional support available as needed.
According to the official notice, the activity period runs from Jan. to Dec. 2025, with applications accepted from Dec. 21, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025. Applicants are required to be at least 19 years old and have English proficiency equivalent to a TOEIC score of 700 or New TEPS score of 265. Students majoring in English translation/interpreting majors may apply without submitting an official score. Currently, more than 30 volunteers contribute to the supporters program.
Explaining the program’s purpose, a Korean Red Cross official Jeon Young-jin said, “This was created to provide practical help to foreigners who want to donate but hesitate because they are not confident in Korean.” Jeon emphasized that “For privacy and other reasons, friends or family members cannot interpret during the medical questionnaire stage, so trained third-party volunteer interpreters are institutionally necessary.” Jeon added, “As the number of foreign donations has grown markedly in recent years, the demand for interpreting has risen in track,” noting that “Since the Korea Immigration & Integration Program (KIIP) recognizes blood donation, it also serves as an avenue for community engagement.”
Once an application is received, officials assign foreign donors with supporters on a rotating basis; the supporter then directly contacts the donor and provides in-person interpreting at a blood center or group-donation site. When translation or promotional activities are needed, the coordinator will ask supporters if they would like to participate, and those who are able to participate will participate.
Park Su-min (Dept. of Forest Science, 21), a supporter, has shown sustained interest in blood donation since middle school, having donated eight times and volunteered at the blood center. “I applied because I was inspired by the idea of facilitating blood donation through language and have cared about blood donation for a long time,” Park said.
Park served as an on-site interpreter at the World Blood Donor Day events held in Gwanghwamun Gate, Seoul, from June 13 to 15, assisting foreign visitors with directions and program information. “Watching people proceed from the event to the bloodmobile and donate in real time made me feel how essential interpreting is,” Park recalled. Among her most memorable moments were meeting a donor who adjusted their travel schedule to donate before leaving, another who hoped to complete their 13th donation in Korea before returning home, and a first-time donor who overcame a fear of needles. Park added, “It was rewarding to apply the skills I have built through The Chungbuk Times experience and Translator and Interpreter Editor training of CBNU,” noting that “Because of Chungbuk’s regional characteristics, opportunities to meet foreign donors can be relatively limited, so more local outreach is needed.”
Hind Aboussabr (30, Morocco), who donated with the help of the supporter, learned about the program through her husband. “The idea that foreigners can donate more easily in Korea felt meaningful,” she said. When choosing between a safety course and blood donation under the KIIP, she added, “I opted to donate because I wanted to do something that helps people.” Aboussabr described her experience positively: “Supporter Park was kind, patient, and professional. She explained each step clearly, and I felt comfortable from start to finish.” She added, “The service is already excellent, but I hope awareness and outreach expand so more foreigners can learn about it.”
According to Jeon, the number of foreign blood donors in Korea is on the rise. As of 2024 (based on Korean Red Cross blood donation data), the number of foreign blood donors has more than doubled over the past five years, reaching approximately 12,000. The Korean Red Cross publishes an English version of its annual business report and posts it on its website, along with information about blood donation. Furthermore, to ensure safe blood donation, informational guides are translated into English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai and placed at blood donation centers.
The Korean Red Cross’s Interpretation & Translation Supporters program contributes to the spread of a safe and friendly blood donation culture, as simply providing interpretation services lowers language barriers, reduces anxiety and misunderstandings among foreign visitors, and creates a positive cycle that leads to repeat visits.