By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – “We donate blood
to save lives of others.”
This was the statement of 1st Cavalry
(Eagle Eye) Squadron commander Lt. Col. Antonio John Divinagracia during bloodletting
activity on Wednesday at Camp Colonel Jacobe Zobel, Upper Pulacan, Labangan,
Zamboanga del Sur.
A total of 11,250 cc of blood were collected by
the medical staff of Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) from 25
officers and men of the battalion who rolled up their sleeves to donate blood
as part of their commitment to saving lives.
Divinagracia underscored the importance of
donating blood saying that it helps save lives of the others. “Blood donation
is just like Jesus Christ saving us from our sins. We donate blood to save
lives of others,” he explained.
The 1st Cavalry Squadron chief
encouraged his men to donate blood for they are also needing blood for their
companions who are wounded in the battlefield.
“The blood that you donate can be used also by
members of your family who are needing it,” Divinagracia said.
Divinagracia said the bloodletting activity is
not only conducted during the battalion’s anniversary but it is also done every
month of February.
IPHO chief Dr. Delia Pastoriza lauded the
soldiers for donating their blood saying that the blood that they have donated truly
is a “gift of life” to others in the community who are sick or injured.
Pastoriza said many people are now suffering from
terminal illnesses especially renal failure which she considered as one of top
10 leading causes of death not only in the province but throughout the country.
“Thus, blood is absolutely necessary.”
Blood donor, Captain Erickson Balanga said he is
happy to donate blood to help people who need it.
“I am happy that for the second time, I was able
to donate my blood. This is my own little way of helping people who are needing
it specially the poor.”
Balanga said millions of people across the world
are in need of blood transfusions because of surgeries, accidents, war and
natural disasters, etc.
Some of the soldiers have long been donating
blood, but a few were “first-time” donors. (PIA9)