WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY. Dr. Jera Amendarez of the Department of Health-Central Visayas entertains questions from Cebu media during a forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency on Wednesday (June 6, 2018). (Photo by Bebie Jane Casipong/PNA)
CEBU CITY -- The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) will hold a simultaneous regional blood-letting activity on June 14 in observance of the World Blood Donor Day.
Dr. Jera C. Amendarez, DOH-7 Medical Officer 4, told a media forum Wednesday that the activity will be held simultaneously from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in all the provinces of Central Visayas.
In Cebu City, the event will be held at the at the DOH-7 compound and at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).
Amendarez said the main goal in the observance of World Blood Donor Day is to create public awareness on the importance of donating blood to save other people’s lives.
The medical officer said they hope to collect 150 to 200 bags from each province on June 14 as the DOH-7 aims to gather at least one percent of the total population in the region as blood donors.
“I am inviting everyone to donate blood on June 14 and help us save lives,” Amendarez said.
Blood donors must not be younger than 16 years old and not over 65 years of age. Donors who are 16 to 17 years old must also present their parents’ consents before they can donate blood.
“Volunteer donors must also have at least six to eight hours of sleep. If the donor has taken alcohol, he or she is advised to have 10 hours of sleep or better to donate the next day. Smokers should skip from smoking for three to four hours before donating,” Amendarez said. (With Bebie Jane Casipong/PNA)
