The stringent Covid-19 lockdown rules halted blood donation activities, precipitating a blood shortage for medical transfusions in the country. On 25 November, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), conducted a bloodletting activity in LRT-2 Araneta–Center Cubao Station from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM to help replenish the blood reserves in the country. The activity generated a total of 21 blood units.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa LRTA sa patuloy nilang pakikipagtulungan sa amin. Ang ganitong blood donation activity ay mahalaga dahil ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan sa dugo ay hindi kailanman matatapos. The blood units collected in this activity will surely reach and help many of our kababayans in vulnerable situations,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.
A unit of blood can save the lives of multiple people. According to PRC Blood Services, red cells, platelets, and plasma are among the transfusable components that can be derived from donated blood. Patients may receive a pint of whole blood or only the specific components of the blood that are required to treat their particular condition.
The PRC has 31 blood centers and 73 blood-collecting units nationwide. From January 1 to October 31, 2022, PRC National Blood Services served 203, 645 patients and collected 392, 391 blood units from 336, 587 donors.
Holiday seasons are known to be lean periods for blood donations, but the Philippine Red Cross is committed to saving lives by conducting blood donation drives anytime. For blood donations, blood requests, and other inquiries, email the PRC National Blood Services at [email protected] or contact the PRC Blood Call Center, which may be reached nationwide by dialing 143.
Malabon City — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Malabon City Chapter held its 6th Chapter Assembly on 29 November 2022 at the Rotary Club of Malabon Civic Center with the theme “Harvesting Opportunity for a Prepared and Engaged Community”. The event is an annual opportunity to honor, highlight, and report the powerful contributions of volunteers to the Malabon City Chapter’s activities and achievements.
PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon expressed his appreciation for the staff and volunteers of the Malabon City Chapter. “Ngayong araw na ito ay binabati ko kayo para sa marami ninyong nagawa para maiangat ang mga kababayan nating nasa vulnerable situations […]. Agaran ang pagresponde ninyo sa mga sunog at puspusan din ang vaccination drive ninyo laban sa polio at Covid-19 […]. Masaya ako na kumpleto na ang Red Cross 143 (RC143) volunteer ng inyong chapter, at ngayon ay kumikilos naman kayo para makumpleto ang RC143 ng mga barangay,” said Chairman Gordon.
During the assembly, the Board of Directors of the Malabon City Chapter reported on the chapter’s activities and achievements, which support the goals of PRC’s different services. The report stated that amid the decline of blood donors and blood donation activities because of the global pandemic, the Malabon City Chapter remained committed to PRC’s goal of delivering adequate, safe, and quality blood supply to the most vulnerable. From 2020 to 2022, it collected 2, 095 blood units from 2, 429 donors and dispensed 1, 959 units. The chapter also emphasized their successful vaccination drives against Covid-19, measles, and polio.
Mayor and Malabon City Chapter Board of Directors Honorary Chairman Jeannie Sandoval mentioned that the growing number of their volunteers greatly contributed to the success of their activities. The chapter, meanwhile, also elected its new set of Board of Directors.
PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang to PRC Malabon City Chapter: “The Malabon City Chapter is fortunate to have active volunteers. Let me applaud the staff and volunteers of this chapter for your dedication and commitment to alleviating human suffering and uplifting human dignity.
