Philippine Red Cross | Humanitarian Organization in the Philippines

Mandaluyong, Philippines — In a nationwide effort to celebrate National Heroes Day in the best way, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) organized simultaneous mass blood donation drives across 24 sites on August 25, 2024. This massive undertaking was designed to commemorate the heroism of the nation’s forebears by inspiring modern-day acts of heroism through blood donation.

The blood donation sites spanned the entire country, reflecting a collective commitment to saving lives and reinforcing the spirit of service that National Heroes Day represents. The donation sites included major locations in Mandaluyong, Rizal, Pasig, Makati, Malabon, Laguna, Palawan, Sorsogon, Antique, Davao Oriental, South Cotabato, General Santos and Batanes; two sites in Batangas, Baguio, Cagayan and Zamboanga del Sur; and three sites in Iloilo. 

A Highlight in Tarlac: Philippine Army and PRC Join Forces

Among the various sites, a significant blood donation event was held at the Armor Division in Camp O’Donnell, Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac, a testament to the strong partnership between the PRC and the Philippine Army. The Tarlac event, organized in collaboration with the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, headed by Dr. Isa Suntay, the major sponsor, aimed to collect blood from 1,300 donors from three army divisions—the Armor Division led by its Commander, MGen Pedro Balisi, Jr., the Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC) led by its Commander, MGen Danilo Benavides, and the Army Support Command (ASCOM) led by its Commander, MGen Rogelio Ulanday.

These three divisions of the Philippine Army through the leadership of its Commander LGen Roy Galido and Vice Commander, MGen Leodevic Guinid, have been steadfast partners of the Tarlac Red Cross Chapter, contributing significantly to its blood donation efforts over the years. TRADOC has been involved since 2017, collecting a total of 1,514 units of blood. ASCOM joined the initiative in 2022 and has since collected 332 units, while the Armor Division Command recently contributed 120 units in a blood drive last June 4, 2024.

Aside from the PRC Tarlac Chapter, three nearby chapters also joined the mass blood donation – PRC Bataan, PRC Nueva Ecija and PRC Pampanga.

A Nationwide Effort to Save Lives

PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon expressed his appreciation of the Philippine Army’s effort to conduct a simultaneous blood donation to save lives, “More than being grateful, I am extremely proud of our army – kahit kulang ang gamit, you are prepared to fight for your country. Kulang na pero heto kayo at nagbibigay pa rin. You fight for the country and now you help those who are fighting for their lives. Heroes in every sense of the word. Mabuhay kayo! Dahil ngayong araw nakapagbigay kayo ng buhay.”

PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang also shared her gratitude for the overwhelming support from volunteers and donors nationwide: “This simultaneous mass blood donation drive is a clear demonstration of the collective spirit of bayanihan that still thrives in our communities. We are proud of every donor and volunteer who took part in this noble cause.”

The PRC continues to rely on the generosity of blood donors and the support of communities nationwide to maintain a stable blood supply. For blood donations, blood requests, and other inquiries, please contact the PRC Blood Call Center by dialing 143 and 1158 nationwide.

For More Information

For more information on future bloodletting events or to learn how you can participate in saving lives, please visit the Philippine Red Cross website or contact your local PRC chapter. Together, we can continue to honor our heroes by making a difference in the lives of others.

MANDALUYONG, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and Jungkookies, the dedicated fan group of BTS member Jungkook, have once again demonstrated that fandom can be a powerful force for good as they host their third annual bloodletting activity on August 24 at the PRC Logistics and Multipurpose Center (PLMC).

The blood donation drive, dubbed “Golden X Unity: United to Save Lives,” aims to unite ARMYs (BTS fans) and highlight the critical importance of blood donation in saving lives. The event was also held in anticipation of Jungkook’s 27th birthday on September 1, 2024, giving fans a meaningful way to honor their idol by contributing to a life-saving cause.

“Blood donors are heroes, and the blood they give is free. As the major blood supplier in the country, the PRC is committed to providing safe and quality blood supply for all,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon.

JV Vidal, Jungkookies’ Head Admin, expressed the fan group’s heartfelt motivation, saying, “This is our way of expressing our love for Jungkook and celebrating his birthday more meaningfully by saving lives. We, Jungkook fans, are not asking for anything in return. I hope that by organizing this kind of activity, we help to spread awareness on the importance of blood donation.”

Highlighting the inclusive spirit of the event, 47-year-old Cristina Antinero, a first-time blood donor and a member of the Red Cross 143 volunteer program since 2018, shared that her six children influenced her to become an ARMY. “Age is not a hindrance to becoming an ARMY and a blood donor,” she added, embodying the event’s message that everyone can contribute to saving lives.

PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang emphasized the PRC’s extensive resources to support blood donation efforts: “With PRC’s 108 blood service facilities, 32 blood centers, 76 blood collecting stations, and 15 apheresis centers across the nation, there is sufficient blood supply at the Red Cross.”

The successful bloodletting activity, which ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., gathered 143 blood units from ARMYs and walk-in donors. Since its inception in 2022, the joint bloodletting initiative has collected a total of 401 blood units, reflecting the remarkable impact that fan-driven efforts can have on public health.

For blood donations, blood requests, and other inquiries, email the PRC National Blood Services at [email protected] and [email protected] or contact the PRC Blood Call Center by dialing 143 and 1158 nationwide.

“Sagip Dugtong Buhay,” the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc. (GMAKF)’s annual bloodletting program, yielded 1,792 units of blood, making it the biggest collection of the program after the pandemic.

This year’s program, held on August 17 at the Ever Commonwealth Mall in Quezon City, marked 28 years of bringing the public together to donate blood to raise the country’s blood supply. It was also conducted to celebrate the program’s founder, veteran broadcaster Mel Tiangco’s birthday this month.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon lauded the blood donors who flocked to join this activity. “Whether it’s your first time donating, or your 50th time, the Red Cross salutes you. Your generosity will save lives.”

“Ang dugong ibinigay ninyo, mapupunta po sa iba’t ibang lugar. We’re spreading the love in different parts of the country. On behalf of the Red Cross, I thank all the blood donors. Without you, we would not sustain the country’s demand for blood. Marami po tayong natutulungan, at marami pa tayong dapat tulungan. So, let’s continue this,” added PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang.

Dr. Pang graced the activity with GMA Kapuso Foundation COO and Executive VP Ms. Rikki Escudero-Catibog, PRC-Quezon City Chapter Board Chairman Gov. Ernesto Isla, PRC-QC Board Member Dir. Joshua Aragon, PRC Assistant Secretary-General for Programs Development & Services, Dr. Christie Monina Nalupta, Ever Commonwealth Executive Vice President for Operations Ms. Evelyn Go, and Department Store Manager Ms. Dolly Eloriaga.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. made a surprise visit to donate his blood during the activity. “It always feels good when you give something of yourself, in this case blood, that could save the life of another person. Nananawagan tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino na magdonate ng blood nila dahil kailangan ng ating mga kababayan ang ating dugo.”

Blood galloners, or individuals who have donated atleast a gallon or more of blood, were also recognized in the program. 53 year old-Ramon Castillo, an awardee, said he has been donating blood since 2013 to pay forward the help given to him by the Korean Red Cross when he was an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) there.

“Nagkaroon ako ng sakit sa Korea. Ang Red Cross hospital ang nagassist sa akin. Noong umuwi ako dito, bilang pagtanaw ng utang na loob, hindi ako nagdalawang isip na magdonate ng dugo. Kung tayo man ay pinagkalooban ng malusog na pangangatawan, ibalik natin ng walang bayad,” he said.

In 28 years, the Sagip Dugtog Buhay program has collected more than 69,000 units of blood, and helped over 209,000 patients nationwide.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) conferred an award to the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), headed by Secretary General and CEO Mr. Benjamin William, in recognition of the assistance they provided to the PRC during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The award was given during the SRC delegation’s courtesy visit to PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon and Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang at the PRC National Headquarters in Mandaluyong City on August 14.

The members of the SRC delegation included Assistant Secretary General for Operations Ms. Charis Chan, Associate Director for Global Engagement Ms. Rebekah Lim, Assistant Head for Global Engagement Ms. Fauzia Amalia, and Executive for Global Engagement Ms. Liew Yi Chen.

In 2020, the SRC provided a shipment of 40,000 surgical masks, 10,000 N95 masks, and 2,500 coveralls to augment supplies in hospitals and assist health workers.

“The Covid-19 pandemic was a dark time for us all. Every country struggled to keep their health systems afloat with dwindling resources in hospitals, clinics, health centers. It had its own troubles with the pandemic, but the Singapore Red Cross still generously provided us with masks and protective equipment. We are truly thankful for their friendship and support,” said Gordon.

“The Philippine Red Cross is grateful to the solidarity shown to us by the Singapore Red Cross during the pandemic. It was a time of hardship, but also a time for us National Societies to come together and help each other, ” added Dr. Pang.

Aside from the award, the PRC gifted “Pula,” the Red Cross bear, to the delegation. In return, the SRC gave the PRC its own customized “Snoopy” stuffed toy, made through the existing partnership between the SRC and the Peanuts comics brand.

The SRC has partnered with the PRC in relief operations prior to the pandemic. It provided assistance to victims of Typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) in 2009, Typhoon Pablo (international name: Bopha) in 2012, and Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in 2013.

Recently, the SRC donated P2.9 million (or $50,000) to assist PRC’s operations for families and individuals affected by Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) last July.