SAFE BLOOD FOR ALL. The Department of Health (DOH)-Calabarzon spearheads a blood donation drive at the Laguna Cultural Center in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Friday (July 12, 2019), through its National Voluntary Blood Donation Program. The undertaking aims to provide hospitals with an adequate supply of safe and non-remunerated blood, and is done in observance of July as “National Blood Donors Month”. (Photo courtesy of DOH4A-MRCU)
STA. CRUZ, Laguna – A total of 1,590 blood bags have been collected from various blood donors from the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon during the Department of Health (DOH)-Calabarzon's series of bloodletting activities in observance of July as “National Blood Donors Month.”
In coordination with the provincial health offices and the Philippine Blood Center, the DOH-Calabarzon already accumulated the said number of blood bags, of which 150 were collected last July 12 in this capital town; 759 bags during the bloodletting in Carmona Community Center, Cavite last July 5; and 681 bags during the blood donation campaign at Tagaytay International Convention Center last June 14.
The DOH regional office embarked on the blood donation drive through its National Voluntary Blood Donation Program (NVBSP) to provide hospitals adequate supply of safe and non-remunerated blood.
“The feeling of responsibility to help others and save their lives by voluntarily donating a pint of blood is the foundation of a safe and sufficient blood supply,” said Dr. Noel G. Pasion, DOH-Calabarzon Local Health Support Division chief, as he led the third blood-letting campaign at the Laguna Cultural Center here on Friday.
He said the DOH still needs to attain a community of dedicated and devoted blood donors in every province or municipality, who are committed to voluntarily donate non-remunerated blood yearly.
“Even with the regular blood-letting activities, we still have to continue to recruit voluntary blood donors and generate public awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products,” he said.
Pasion also said blood donation benefits not only the patients who receive the blood but also the donor since it reduces the risk of cancer, improve cardiovascular health and reduce obesity.
“Blood is a 'gift of life' that is priceless and cannot be assessed in monetary terms as blood products are important in the treatment of serious illness and injuries,” he added.
Republic Act 7719 or the “National Blood Services Act of 1994,” promotes voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood and to regulate blood banks. It also aims to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian act.
Meanwhile, the “National Blood Donors' Month” observance every July is pursuant to Proclamation 1021 series of 1997 which encourages every Filipino to voluntarily donate blood for humane causes and to acknowledge blood donors for their noble act of saving lives through their gift of blood.
The bloodletting month’s theme this year is “Safe Blood for All: Be there for someone else. Give Blood. Share Life.” (PNA)
