By Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY - Donating blood produces fresh blood, which means
better circulation, less incidents of high blood pressure and strokes, and a
healthier immune system, shares Red Cross Zamboanga’s Blood Center Manager
Kelly Geronimo.
“We
have a lot of patients in need of blood every day. We cannot simply produce new
blood and we depend on donors. There is no disadvantage, but there are plenty
of benefits, one of which is to save lives,” Geronimo said.
Moreover,
regular blood donation also reduces the risk of heart diseases and removes
excess iron from the body.
On June
14 as the world celebrated Blood Donors’
Day, Zamboanga City scored with a mass blood donation drive which
was spearheaded by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). Over a hundred eager
potential donors came to the PRC compound to give blood.
Vic
Liozo, Red Cross Chapter Administrator was pleased by the turn-out. The
volunteers were then screened for any traces of transmittable diseases such as
hepatitis B and C, malaria, syphilis and HIV.
More or
less 80 persons were able to share their blood, including students, government
and non-government workers, personnel from the military and police, and eager
walk-in donors.
Maritess
Calonge, a first-time donor and a college student from Western Mindanao State
University said that she was initially apprehensive to donate blood since she
was afraid of needles. But upon hearing of its benefits, and the pleasant feeling of being able to help those
in need of blood was enough to motivate her.
“It was
not that painful,” she said, “just like a bite from a mosquito. You just feel a
little disoriented afterwards, but after that, everything’s OK.”
Meanwhile,
Philippine Red Cross Governor and incumbent Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat
cited the need for more eager blood donors. He said every day, not just in the city but all over
the world, a lot of people need blood transfusions. Lobregat calls for a more
intensive advocacy on blood donation.
This
year’s World Blood Donors’ Day theme is, “Give the gift of life: donate blood.”
(PIA9)