Written by: Raymart V. Maruquez
The PNVSCA Employees Association (PEA), together with the Philippine Blood Center (PBC) under the Department of Health (DOH), conducted a bloodletting event at the PBC Headquarters in Quezon City on 29 July 2024.
The said activity aims to promote voluntary blood donation and serves as an opportunity for donor applicants to visit the government blood center facilities. The donation process is composed of four (4) stations: 1) Registration; 2) Screening; 3) Hemoglobin Check; and 4) Blood Extraction.
Joining the seven (7) PEA members are four (4) volunteers from the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), University of the Philippines (UP) – Diliman, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Asked for the reason for joining the blood donation campaign, Ms. Ella Mae C. Echalas, student of UP Diliman shared, “Ang pag-donate ko po ng blood ay part ng wish ko during my 18th birthday, ang makatulong sa iba para makapagbigay ng pag-asa at makapagligtas ng ibang buhay, kaya this year ay second time ko na po.”
For Mr. Ace Earvin A. Arellano of PNVSCA, “Nagsimula po ako mag-donate noong nangailangan ng dugo ang tatay ng officemate ko. Nakasanayan ko na po mag-donate at third time ko ngayon. Masaya po ako makatulong sa kapwa..”
For Ms. Donna Pamella D. Gonzales of DAP, “I have been a blood donor for over two (2) decades. Blood donation keeps my blood young and body healthy while I can help others recover from their illness and give new life to them.”
All the donors expressed willingness to donate again and encouraged others to donate blood as the blood collected will support Filipinos’ blood needs, especially the poor.
The PNVSCA Team also met with the DOH-PBC Focal Person, Mr. Deodato L. Espinosa, a nurse and donor recruitment office supervisor. He shared that there is a growing demand for blood every year. In PBC Headquarters, blood donors are carefully screened by medical officers. He also pointed out that only individuals with a healthy body and doctor approval can participate in the blood donation drive.
The PEA President, Mr. Raymart V. Maruquez, also expressed his sincerest gratitude to the officers and staff of DOH-PBC for their immense efforts and undying commitment to the national blood volunteer service program.
Since 2023, several blood requests have been facilitated by PEA under the Kabalikat Program, a blood reservation system for partners of DOH-PBC.
July is National Blood Donor Month, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1021, which aims to build awareness of the need for quality and safe blood, encourage regular blood donation, and honor and recognize blood donors.
To all our donors, MARAMING SALAMAT PO! MABUHAY ANG BOLUNTERISMO!
For more information about DOH-PBC’s Bloodletting initiatives, you may visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/doh.nvbsp/
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The author is currently the Senior Volunteer Service Officer of the Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PCMED), Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.
Visit PNVSCA website (www.pnvsca.gov.ph) and PNVSCA Facebook (facebook.com/PNVSCA) for other stories and information on volunteering.