By: Ma. Cecilia Labon
GENEROSITY. Two Letran employees donate blood in Salon de Actos during Dugong Alay 2017.
“Sa bawat 2 segundo may nangangailangan ng dugo, para sa’kin ito ung simple way ko para makatulong sa mga taong lubos na nangngailanangan ng dugo” says Maoriz Gaza, a 4th year BSBA Financial Management student, who donated blood during the “Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay 2.0” last September 6-7
The bloodletting activity was organized by The Letran Community Volunteers and was made possible through the help of the Letran Center for Community Development and the Philippine Red Cross.
Gaza recounted the joy and fear of participating in such activity as a Letranite who wants to aid people in need, “Magaan sa pakiramdam, Naalala ko noong una akong nag donate ng dugo, kinakabahan ako at nag aalinlangan pero inuna ko ‘yung kagustuhan ko na makatulong sa mga nangangailangan, kasi ‘yung sakit sa una lang ‘yon, pero ‘yung nakatulong ka, nakatatak na yun sa puso't isip mo.” Gaza proudly said.
President of Letran Community Volunteers (LCV), Juan Carlo Balagapo explained the origin of the bloodletting activity in Colegio, “Sa mga previous batch talaga nagsimula ang bloodletting. Every year, dalawang besses nag ba-bloodletting ang LCV.” Balagapo was tasked to supervise the flow of the program.
During the last bloodletting, more than a hundred bags were collected by the LCV; Balagapo explained that the donated bloods are now being handled and preserved by the Department of Health blood bank where it can easily be accessed for future use.
The Philippine Red Cross representatives also reminded that donors should have enough rest, should do exercise, do proper diet and gain the right weight before donating their blood, they strictly reminded that people who are bound from smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not allowed to participate in the activity.
BS Accountancy student, Samantha Billones, was one of the aspiring donors who was not allowed to donate her blood, “I wish bloodletting activities are done in a time of the year where students are not too busy or stressed” Billones said, as she explained the possible effects of stress to the donors. “Activities like these should be continued, I am also very happy that letranites continue to practice this kind of volunteerism” she added.
Gaza, Balagapo, and Billones encouraged their fellow Letranites to join the bloodletting activity, for the very reason that it affects both the donor and the person being donated blood positively. “Sa lahat ng aking kapwa letranista, wag kayong mag a-alinlangan na tumulong, pagtibayin natin ang pagiging isang dugong letranista na may malasakit sa bawat isa.” Gaza said.
The community service was held at Salon de Actos from 8AM – 5PM, where fifty six donors successfully donated blood.