STAR gets PNRC’s ‘blood service’ award

The Philippine STAR received yesterday the Philippine National Red Cross’ "Blood Services Outstanding Award" in recogntion of the newspaper’s support for the PNRC’s blood donation campaign.

In its citation, the PNRC recognized The STAR’s "continuing support in the promotion of voluntary blood donation and in the organization of mass blood donation."

The STAR’s blood donation campaign has yielded "515 units of blood in six years, thereby becoming an active partner of the PNRC’s blood services in saving more lives by ensuring adequacy of safe blood," the citation declared.

PNRC secretary general and former social welfare secretary Corazon Alma de Leon said The STAR has also been active in disseminating information on the PNRC’s blood services.

"I feel that The Philippine STAR has been able to generate a lot of support for us, such as calling for volunteers and for blood donors," De Leon said.

PNRC governor Rosa Rosal said The STAR has been helping the Red Cross in its blood donation program for many years.

"The Philippine STAR deserves it," she said. "They’ll be getting more, kasi every year sila mismo ang lumalapit para mag-blood donation. Kaya kailangan bigyan ng karangalan (Every year, The STAR initiates blood donation programs. It should be given this honor)."

Other recipients of the award were GMA-7 network’s Kapuso Foundation and the Bombo Radyo Philippines.

The STAR was recently chosen as "Newspaper of the Year" in the 2005-2006 Journalism Awards of the Rotary Club of Manila for "consistently upholding the principles of responsible journalism in maintaining fair and balanced reporting, as well as espousing the pursuit of good governance, free enterprise, social justice, and key aspects of nation building."