Blood donations for firecracker victims encouraged

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) has made a last-minute appeal to the public for blood donations for potential firecracker victims during the New Year revelry. PNRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon said donors can give blood to any of the PNRC's 72 blood service facilities nationwide. "We need to give blood because we have to get ready for the victims of firecracker injuries, dengue and other medical needs especially during the lean months of December and January," he said in an article on the PNRC website. The PNRC supplies 37 percent of the total annual blood collection nationwide. Its Blood Service conducts voluntary blood donor education and community recruitment to serve the ever increasing demand for blood in the country. During the lean months of December and January, the country experiences a temporary shortage of blood supply since most people, especially due to this year's long holiday season, are disqualified to donate blood. "On our part, we have strengthened the PNRC capacity for community donor recruitment through Red Cross 143 program where 25 volunteers will be standby blood donors in each of the 42,000 barangays in the country," Gordon said. Governor Rosa Rosal, for her part, said the PNRC will provide quality health care by giving safe and quality blood to patients that need transfusion regardless of status in life. "Blood itself is free. We encourage qualified individuals to share blood with those who most need it. Blood donation is the most sublime act one can give," she said. To be a donor, one must be fit and healthy and be between 17 and 60 years old. Regular healthy donors can donate blood until age 65. Donors can give blood up to four times a year or once every 8-12 weeks. To have a ready pool of voluntary blood donors, Gordon conceptualized Red Cross 143 that allows every community in the country to be prepared and responsive in case of emergency. Red Cross 143 program aims to have 44 volunteers, one team leader and 43 members, in every barangay trained in disaster preparedness and response, in health and welfare, and in voluntary blood donation and advocacy. - GMANews.TV