PARAÑAQUE, METRO MANILA – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) received P300,000 in donations from the Manila Rose Lions Club, Wang Zhao Zhi, and Manila Volunteer Lions Club to fund the Blood Samaritan Program (BSP), which PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon initiated in 2006.

The three groups contributed P100,000 each for the BSP, which will be used to cover the payment of blood processing fees of legitimate indigent patients in need of blood transfusion.

The donation was turned over at the National Blood Donors Month celebration and recognition ceremony on July 16 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City, organized by the PRC Rizal Chapter.

On hand to witness the donation turnover were PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang, PRC-Parañaque City Branch Council Chairman Dir. Anson Ong, Parañaque City District 1 Representative Edwin Olivarez, and Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez, along with representatives from the donor groups.

Dr. Pang, speaking on behalf of Gordon, pointed out that the number of Filipinos in need of blood transfusion remains high in the country.

“Unfortunately, in low and middle income countries, problem pa rin ang source of blood,” she said.

She urged the public to become “blood champions” or “blood advocates,” encouraging families, friends, and peers to donate blood through the PRC to sustain its blood banks.

From 2023 to July 2024, the BSP has served 75,544 indigent patients.

The ceremony, themed “20 years of celebrating Giving: Thank you, Blood Donors!,” honors PRC’s private and public sector partners, and its “Galloner awardees.”

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