TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Some 98 bags of blood were collected in Cagayan Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Cagayan Valley Medical Center’s (CVMC) fourth quarter bloodletting activity on Monday, October 30.
PHO Health Education and Promotion Officer Maria Lourdes Bangan said there were more than 150 donors who volunteered for the activity.
More than 50 were willing to donate blood but were deferred because of having high blood pressure, low weight, low hemoglobin count, lack of sleep, or were on medication.
The activity was conducted to encourage the public to donate voluntarily in bloodletting activities, CVMC Medical Technologist Reggie Paraynon said.
At around 3 pm, more than 70 bags over a target of 100 bags were already collected, said PHO Medical Technoogist Eva Accad. PHO also said that there were still walk-in donors at 6 pm but they had to pack up because the blood needed to be processed and stored in CVMC.
The activity was participated in by several organizations such as Spartanz Riders Club Cagayan Valley and Integrated Ilokano from Enrile.
Students of University of Cagayan Valley and Cagayan State University, the Police, and some individuals including Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba also donated blood.
One of the donors, Spartanz Riders Club Cagayan Valley President Rommel Berdan, said they are happy knowing that the blood they donated will help others.
JCI Tuguegarao President John Escobar said their group extended help to the PHO and that they also acknowledged the fact that there is a need for blood supply in CVMC.
“We were surprised to see this turnout. Nahirapan kami sa 100 [na taregt] pero nagulat kami sa turnout of the [number of] people, sa mga volunteers, the donors,” added Escobar.
PHO earlier stated that one bag can already save three lives. Around 294 lives can be saved with the 98 bags collected.
Meanwhile, to those who were unable to donate but are believing in the PHO’s cause, Bangan said, “If you cannot donate, advocate, sabi nga nila.”
With a Halloween theme, the voluntary bloodletting activity was in partnership with the Department of Health, JCI Makasta, JCI Tuao, JCI Tuguegarao Ibanag, JCI Tuguegarao Inc, JCI Philippines, and SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown.
PHO said the first quarter bloodletting activity for next year is slated sometime on February 2018. Northernforum.net
