CHD to host World Blood Donor Day celebration

CEBU, Philippines - The Center for Health Development through its National Voluntary Blood Services Program in collaboration with the World Health Organization and other partner organizations is committed to support the celebration of the World Blood Donor Day.

Dr. Sofia Mancao, NVBSP coordinator in Central Visayas, said celebrating the World Blood Donor Day is very significant in a country like the Philippines that has inadequate blood supply and is very critical to get safe blood donors.

The celebration is aimed to create wider awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation and encourage more people to become regular donors.

WBDD is an annual celebration aims to highlight the fact that voluntary blood donors are the basis of a safe blood supply because they are least likely to transmit potentially life-threatening infections, such as HIV and Hepatitis viruses to the recipients.

It also grants an opportunity to express gratitude to those who donate their blood without expecting anything in return.

This year’s celebration which banners the theme “More Blood, More Life” will be held on June 14 at the Alona Kew White Beach Resort in Panglao, Bohol. The celebration will be hosted by the Department of Health’s Center for Health Development in Central Visayas with the active participation of the Philippine Red Cross and the Local Government Units in the region.

A blood summit will also be held immediately after the celebration to update the current status of blood donation in the country. – (FREEMAN)