Bontoc, Mountain Province – Forty individuals donate blood during the Bloodletting activity held at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol Auditorium on June 21, 2022.
The activity was initiated by the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) through the Municipal Health Office (MHO) in collaboration with Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Mountain Province Chapter, and the Bontoc General Hospital (BoGH).
It is in line with the main objective of the World Blood Donor Day which is to highlight the need for committed, year-round blood donation in order to maintain adequate supplies and achieve universal and timely access to safe blood transfusion as well as to recognize and promote the values of voluntary unpaid blood donation in enhancing community solidarity and social cohesion.
A total of 16,650cc of blood or 37 bags including four units of Type AB, six units of Type A, 13 units of Type B, and 14 units of Type O were collected and turned over to the Philippine Red Cross-MP Chapter.
During the post-evaluation, Municipal Health Officer Dr. Diga Kay Gomez mentioned that one blood collection was unsuccessful and two donors were deferred due to low hemoglobin and a newly-acquired tattoo.
Gomez expressed her utmost gratitude to the workforce during the said activity and expressed high hopes that similar activities will be conducted in order to sustain the demands of blood in the municipality.
According to Medical Technologist II Cecilia Stella Matiw of the MHO, the blood collected from the activity will be mainly used for patients undergoing dialysis or major surgeries and other medical emergencies.
Further, Matiw mentioned that the collected units of blood will be screened for bloodborne diseases such as Hepatitis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Malaria, and others.
In a separate interview, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey expressed his profound gratitude to the blood donors as well as the personnel from MHO, Red cross-MP Chapter, and Bontoc General Hospital for their contribution to this noble cause.
“Maintaining a regular supply of blood in our facilities is essential to ensure that safe and adequate blood supply is readily available for those who may need it. Thus, I thank all the volunteers who have unselfishly donated their blood in order to help save a life,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Genesis 2822 Group of ERJ7 Coadjuster Services donated 100 pieces of umbrellas that were distributed as a token to the donors. The remaining umbrellas will be distributed to the donors for the next bloodletting activity to be held next month. Qualified donors are encouraged to participate in the Bloodletting activity which will be held in the Barangay Hall of Balili on July 16, 2022 (Saturday).**Christy Mae F. Che-es, Bontoc LGU
