RED CROSS CALLS FOR BLOOD DONATIONS

In observance of the nationwide annual ‘’Blood Donor’s Month’’, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) has switched to high gear its drive to promote blood donation among Olongapeños.

‘’This year’s ‘Blood Donor’s Month’ will again be celebrated on a national scale to create wider awareness of the need for safe blood transfusion and the importance of blood donation,’’ said Maria Leah N. Yulas, PNRC-Olongapo City Chapter Service Representative, in a radio interview at SBC-DWGO.

‘’We have renewed emphasis on improving the safety and sufficiency of blood as we achieve total voluntary blood donation by 2010 with the theme ‘100% Voluntary, Non-Remunerated Blood Donation,’’ added PNRC-Olongapo City Chapter Service Representative Amira Alvarez.

Highlight of the celebration will be a recognition ceremony and mass blood donation for barangay, companies and institutions in Olongapo and Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) on July 31, 2009, 8am at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).
Likewise, the celebration is to acknowledge the volunteers who are responding to an increase in the demand for blood donations in the country, wherein, voluntary blood donation has been observed to have increased in the past three years.
The following can qualified to donate blood:
• Must be 18 to 65 years old (16 and 17 years old may donate provided with parent/s/guardian consent)
• Must be at least 110 lbs or or 50 kgs.
• Hemoglobin level must be at least 125g/l (this will be checked before donating blood)
• Blood pressure must be between: Systolic – 110 – 130 mmHg
Diastolic – 70 – 90 mmHg
• Pulse: Rate=50 to 100 beats/min. (regular rhythm)
• Generally in blood health condition

The ‘Blood Donor's Month’ is celebrated nationwide to honor and give recognition to people who donated their precious and life-saving blood without any monetary consideration in order to give the most valuable gift of all - which is to save someone's life.

Health experts say donating blood gives an array of health benefits. Blood donation is said to remove some of the excess iron, which can cause free radical formation in the body.

Some studies have also shown that men who donate blood on a regular basis have a lower risk of heart disease. With heart disease being the number one cause of death in males, an important factor to donate blood.

For more information and inquiries, blood donors may go to the PNRC-Olongapo City Chapter, Old Hospital Road, East Tapinac, Olongapo City or call telephone number 222-2181 or visit the PNRC website www.redcross.org.ph.

Pao/rem/