By: Aliahcorr Balanon
A Letran employee participating in LCV’s bloodletting activity, “Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay”. Photo: Julia Iris Eguillano
The Letran Community Volunteers (LCV) organization together with the Community Extension Department (CED), conducted a community bloodletting activity in partnership with the Philippine Blood Center (PBC), under Department of Health (DOH), where students, staff and volunteers donated blood to support the national supply to help save lives on Thursday, Nov. 13 at Salon de Actos.
According to the Community Extension Department (CED), 33 participants registered for the bloodletting activity, 36 participants were screened and nine of them were deferred.
Only 20 successful bags were collected, lower than last February’s 40 bags and above. CED reported that the target was 50 bags, and the DOH-PBC will release the final count next week after verifying the collected bags.
LCV President Evanna Pauline Urayan, said the event aimed to save lives through donated blood while encouraging Letranites to take part in community initiatives.
“Ang purpose po ng activity na ito ay para magkaroon din tayo ng participation sa community as well as partner organizations like DOH, para magkaroon tayo ng contribution sa community– or to be exact, community participation na kailangan nating maging involved.” she said.
She added that many students are unaware that the donated bags also benefit the Letran Community, since in total successful bags, there will be a percentage that the Letran will get that can be used for staff, students and employees.
DOH-PBC Donor Recruitment Officer Jennifer Chang, RN, explained that the drive supports the national mandate to maintain a safe and adequate blood supply.
She highlighted that blood cannot be manufactured and remains essential for patients with severe blood loss, illness or medical emergencies.
"Actually, we are mandated by the World Health Organization (WHO) kasi meron tayong tinatawag na National Blood Services Act of 7719, which is yun nga, kailangan natin magprovide nang safe and quality blood na kailangan sa ating bansa.” Chang said.
Student volunteer and regular blood donor Precious Gem Arag, said she was motivated to return in donating because she wants to help other people and recognizes that one blood bag can support three people.
For students that consider participating, she advised them to take the step because donating blood is a meaningful act of service that can save lives.
“So, just like sa sinasabi ng Nike, Just do it, ayun nga, sinasabi nga, “You don’t need to wear cape to be a hero, you just need to donate blood, so to everyone na nag-iisip to donate blood, please do it. Because we can help others, we can help other people, sa isang blood bag, we can help 3 people, 3 persons. So, I encourage everyone to participate and engage in this kind of activity,”
Additionally for Mr. Jonathan Gayle Santos, the coordinator of Cultural and Performing Arts Group (CPAG), blood donation has become part of his personal commitment to health and wellness. He donates every time the CED hosts a bloodletting activity saying he finds the practice renewing and beneficial.
He also added that Letran’s bloodletting process is faster and more convenient than other drives, making it easier for regular donors like him to participate consistently.
"That’s the good thing na I chose to do the donation here sa Letran kasi napaka-smooth and bilis lang ng process, kasi kapag pumupunta sa ibang donation drive, ang haba ng pila, and dito saglit lang, parang within an hour or two, if okay ka na, tapos ka na. Sa ibang donation dive ang haba ng pila, so ayun– I prefer doing it dito sa Letran.”
Although blood donations are declining, the department remains positive and continues its efforts. CED and DOH-PBC are working on strategies to attract more donors for the next bloodletting activity.