The Holy Cross College health services with Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Pampanga chapter rolled out the second blood donation drive during the COVID-19 pandemic on February 26 at the school’s auditorium.
More than 20 regular donors from HCC employees, teachers, residents of the Municipality, and even alumni participated in the bloodletting drive. This half-day event collected 20 blood bags from kind-hearted donors.
The school Chief Nurse Gondelina Garcia said only a healthy individual can donate blood and a pre-survey was conducted before conducting the blood donation drive to assess the health of a donor.
“Malaki po maitutulong sa iba ng bloodletting activity na ito, bukod sa makatutulong kana para maisalba ang buhay ng iba, for 1 donor – 3 lives and natutulungna nila,” Garcia said.
“It can also improve the donor’s health and blood circulation,” she added.
PRC also did an onsite evaluation before extracting blood to ensure that an individual is also capable of donating a bag of blood.
Jorge Guarin Lumbang, 36, Human Resources officer of HCC donated blood for the third time in the school activity. In addition to, he also participated in different bloodletting outside the school.
“Madalas po pag may mayroon akong nababalitaan na blood donation drive lagi po akong sumasali. My first reason ay dahil ti can somehow my body will produce new blood cells and malaking benefit po ito sa katawan. Dagdag din po dito iyong makatulong sa ibang taong nangangailan ng dugo,” Lumbang said.
According to PRC, blood is one of the most important fluids in the body which helps in delivering essential substances like oxygen and nutrients and it helps in maintaining the different systems in the body.
Regular blood donation can benefit one’s health because it replenishes new blood cells and can lower the risk of cancer, heart and liver diseases. Moreover, it can lower cholesterol levels and maintain body weight.
The activity aims to aid the increasing demand for blood and to augment the national blood requirement.
Last September 2021, the school conducted the first blood donation drive during the pandemic which aims to help patients who need blood bags.