Philippine Red Cross

PRODUCING REAL-LIFE HEROES: PH RED CROSS, ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL LAUNCH 11TH DUGTONG BUHAY BLOODLETTING DRIVE

Written on February 1, 2025. Posted in News and Events.

LAS PIÑAS, PHILIPPINES—Following the Philippine Red Cross’ (PRC) call for continuous collaboration to ensure the nation’s stable blood supply, the PRC and Elizabeth Seton School kick off the 11th Dugtong Buhay bloodletting drive on January 31, 2025.

In a statement, PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon expressed gratitude to the academic institution as well as to the blood donors for their selfless contribution to this noble cause.

“Your Philippine Red Cross remains the major blood supplier in the country; we were able to maintain this status because of every blood donor and advocate like you. On behalf of the PRC, we would like to thank the entire administration of the Elizabeth Seton School for your tireless efforts to promote the importance of blood donation. You are not just producing excellent learners but real-life heroes,” Gordon said.

PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang, who served as guest of honor, inspired the students and school personnel by saying “The Dugtong Buhay blood donation drive began in October 1995, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Josefina Suarez and Governor Rosa Rosal. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, our previous blood drives brought in 4,000 to 6,000 bags annually, with each campus in Las Piñas and Cavite contributing 1,000 to 1,500 bags. Dugtong Buhay has achieved one of the largest single blood donations ever recorded to the PRC.”

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Seton School President Dr. Roberto “Bob” Borromeo mentioned “It’s an opportunity for members of the community—our learners and faculty to live out our values of faith, love, and selfless service. We would like our learners to recognize the value of donating blood; they’re not only here to learn but to serve and make a difference. I’d like to commend PRC for this very noble task and we hope that you continue to make a difference in the lives of others.”

“It is our way to showcase what selfless service means and especially love for others. We’ve been partnering with the PRC for the past 30 years and we’re grateful for this noble mission to save lives. With the help of PRC, we know that we will be able to generate more blood donors,” added Catherin “Kay” Ann Rosero, School Academic Director and Dugtong Buhay 11 Chairperson.

Also present at the event were Elizabeth Seton School Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Josefina Suarez, Dr. Rached Caranzo, and PRC National Blood Services Director and Assistant Secretary-General for Programs Development & Services Dr. Christie Monina Nalupta.

Dugtong Buhay is an institutional effort that aims to save lives by advocating blood donation. The actual bloodletting activity is open to the public on May 2 and 3 at Elizabeth Seton School – Las Piñas Campus.

PH RED CROSS SUPPORTS 1st OGP FUN RUN; APPRECIATES DONATION

Written on January 27, 2025. Posted in News and Events.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) showed strong support to the first-ever Open Government Partnership (OGP) Fun Run of the Department of Budget & Management (DBM) in partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) held at the Quirino Grandstand on January 26.

The PRC deployed 177 staff and volunteers; a 5-bed capacity Emergency Field Hospital (EFH) Emergency Room with a doctor, two nurses, and medical student volunteers; a medical tent; 12 medic scooters; three first aid stations; five ambulances; a rescue vehicle; and a humvee.

Aside from the mobilized assets, the PRC also led the warm-up exercises to prepare runners while some PRC personnel joined the race.

The DBM said that all proceeds of the OGP Fun Run will be donated to the PRC to support its life-saving humanitarian programs and services.

PRC Chairman & CEO Dick Gordon expressed gratitude to partners saying: “The PRC is elated to be part of this collaboration with the DBM and MMDA which demonstrates the power of partnerships in advancing meaningful causes. We sincerely thank Secretary Amenah Pangandaman for spearheading this initiative, along with MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes for their constant support to the life-saving causes of the PRC.”

“Every step in this Fun Run is a contribution to our life-saving programs which will allow us to serve more vulnerable communities all over the country,” added PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang.

The OGP Fun Run 2025 aims to promote health and wellness, and champion the values of open government. It was a precursor event to the Philippines’ hosting of the OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) on February 5 to 7 this year.

SHARING THE GIFT OF MOBILITY: PH RED CROSS, PARTNERS DISTRIBUTE OVER 500 WHEELCHAIRS TO VULNERABLE FILIPINOS

Written on January 26, 2025. Posted in News and Events.

MANDALUYONG, PHILIPPINES- To continue a shared mission of bringing hope and enhancing the productivity of vulnerable Filipinos with mobility impairments, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Chair the Love, Wheelchair Foundation, and the Rotary Club of Manila 101 will distribute an additional 270 wheelchairs as part of the second phase of the Mobility for Dignity project.

The project aims to increase productivity among mobility-impaired individuals by helping them find employment opportunities, for children to continue their studies, and encourage them to live normal lives through the gift of mobility.

The first tranche of the distribution started on January 25, wherein 120 selected beneficiaries from Mega Manila (Malabon, Manila, Pasay, Rizal, Valenzuela, and Caloocan chapters) were given brand-new wheelchairs. The second and third tranches will continue this year in several areas in Baguio, Benguet, and La Union wherein there is a high volume of persons with disabilities (PWDs) needing mobility aids.

“We at the Philippine Red Cross uplift human dignity. The gift of a wheelchair is something that you must cherish because it’s a gift of freedom. You have been given once again the capability of moving. Kapag binigyan ka nito, isipin mo kung ano ang magagawa mo: kumilos, tuparin ang pangarap, magsikap, at matuto ng bagong kasanayan. Masarap tulungan ang mga taong tinutulungan din ang kanilang sarili,” said PRC Chairman & CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon.

“Wheelchairs are not only devices with wheels but are instruments of dignity and independence. Each wheelchair provides not only physical mobility but also emotional and psychological support. With our partners, the PRC is changing lives one wheelchair at a time,” PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang added.

During the first phase of the project in 2023, the PRC and its partners were able to provide a total of 270 wheelchairs to physically challenged Filipinos nationwide.

Phil Red Cross gears up for Cebu’s Sinulog Festival 2025

Written on January 26, 2025. Posted in News and Events.

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES—After its successful ‘Traslacion’ operations, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) led by Chairman & CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon has been mobilizing its assets to another highly anticipated event, the Sinulog Festival in Cebu in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.

Chairman Gordon assured the public that the PRC’s presence will be felt until the end of the month-long festival.

“Prior to the Sinulog, our staff and volunteers were already deployed. Our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams will remain on standby to provide medical attention to millions of local and international tourists expected to join the festival. All of our assets are activated and we’re ready to serve,” Gordon said.

The PRC mobilized 200 volunteers, six ambulance units, two rescue boats, four service vehicles, and a food truck.

It also set up 22 first aid stations, welfare desks, water stations, a communication center, and an Emergency Field Hospital (EFH) with ten beds.

PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang reminded the public to take note of some safety measures in order to have a safe and solemn celebration.

“It’s very important to stay hydrated, bring snacks, and wear comfortable and appropriate clothing and footwear. If you have a medical condition, it’s highly recommended that you bring your medical identification tag in case of an emergency. The public may also call the Red Cross by dialing 143 for assistance,” Dr. Pang stated.

The operations of the PRC started on January 9 during the Novena Mass and Walk with Jesus. It will continue its operations for upcoming festival activities such as Walk with Mary, Fluvial Parade, Solemn Procession, and the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 19.

‘Phil Red Cross continues to deliver life-saving aid as Kanlaon shows ongoing volcanic unrest

Written on January 6, 2025. Posted in News and Events.

NEGROS ISLAND, PHILIPPINES—The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to bring various humanitarian assistance to over a thousand affected individuals after Kanlaon Volcano had seven ash emissions and 28 volcanic earthquakes on New Year’s Day reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

According to the latest bulletin of PHIVOLCS (January 3, 12 a.m.), Kanlaon showed five ash emission events lasted from five to 116 minutes long, while 27 volcanic earthquakes including nine volcanic tremors lasted from 14 to 142 minutes. PHIVOLCS said the ash emissions generated 300-meter-high voluminous plumes and produced 4,861 metric tons of sulfur dioxide. The volcano remained under Alert Level 3 which indicates a high level of volcanic unrest.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon mentioned that “PRC is fully prepared as Kanlaon Volcano continues to show signs of increased activity. The PRC emergency response units, disaster management teams,WASH, health and welfare teams are now on the ground; ready to provide immediate relief, food, water, psychosocial support, medical assistance, and all necessary support to affected communities.”

Meanwhile, PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang urged the public to stay vigilant to ensure safety. She also thanked all the Red Cross staff and volunteers for their commitment to service even during the holiday season.

As of January 3, the PRC was able to deliver the following aid to vulnerable communities in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental: hot meals to 24,611 individuals; bread to 3,655 individuals; child-friendly space to 1,595 children; psychological first aid to 264 people; health consultations to 625 patients; health promotion sessions to 908 persons; and vital signs monitoring and treatment to 172 patients.

It supplied 1,338,500 liters of water and hygiene promotion sessions to 727 people.

The PRC also deployed three water tankers, four ambulances, four food trucks, and a payloader; it set up 26 first aid stations and 25 welfare desks.

Additionally, face masks, bottled water and IEC materials on health were also given.

The country’s foremost humanitarian organization has been at the forefront of the disaster situation which started last year after it erupted twice on June 3 and December 9.

PH Red Cross reminds public to monitor health amid New Year festivities

Written on January 2, 2025. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — Amid the numerous festivities in celebration of the New Year, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is reminding the public to monitor their health following the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country during the holiday season.

As of Dec. 31, 2024, more than 260 cases of NCDs were reported by the Department of Health (DOH), consisting of 130 cases of acute stroke, 69 cases of acute coronary syndrome, and 68 cases of bronchial asthma. Overall, Region XI or the Davao Region saw the most cases (31.5 percent), followed by the National Capital Region (25.8 percent), CALABARZON (25 percent), Region II (9.7 percent), and Region I (7.1 percent).

The PRC’s emergency medical response teams have helped transport patients with NCDs through their ambulance services in Baguio, Batangas, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, and Quezon City.

“We join the country in welcoming the year 2025 with joy and excitement. However, as the new year starts, we encourage the public to prioritize their health moving forward. In the feasts we have with our families, friends, and colleagues, let’s avoid eating fatty, salty, and sweet food to prevent stroke, and acute coronary syndrome. We ask more people to develop healthy diet and exercise habits as part of their new year goals. To prevent bronchial asthma, we’re also encouraging more people to stop smoking,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.

“In the Red Cross, we aim to develop healthy communities by providing many health services like free health consultations and disease prevention and awareness programs in our health caravans. For the new year, we urge more Filipinos to join us in practicing and living healthier lives,” he added.

Meanwhile, PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang stressed on the importance of knowing basic first aid at home in case of any health emergencies. “Learning basic first aid at home is crucial in our everyday lives. This can help us readily respond to unexpected situations, especially in special occasions like gatherings with relatives and friends this season. This year, we hope to accelerate our first aid and CPR training campaign to reach more Filipinos and have more communities learn these lifesaving skills.”

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Year: 2025