Red Cross: Public awareness on blood donation increasing

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  – Public awareness in Negros Oriental on the importance of donating blood is on the rise with the active participation of more local government units and the private sector, according to Louella Bael, chief of the local Red Cross chapter.

Bael yesterday expressed optimism that a sustained campaign on blood donation will lead to more available blood at the Red Cross in Dumaguete.

As of last count, Red Cross local chapter’s buffer stock included 12 bags of blood Type A positive, 45 bags of Type B positive, 41 bags of Type O positive, and eight bags of Type AB positive.

Priority shall be given to emergency cases, such as massive bleeding due to accidents, and to a “depositor” who needs blood and who had already previously donated to the Red Cross, said Bael.

For non-emergency cases, such as scheduled surgery procedures or regular transfusion for certain cases, and depending on the availability of blood, a person may request for blood “on loan” with a promissory note that it shall be replaced at the earliest time possible, she added.

Bael said more LGUs and private entities are now organizing blood-letting campaigns, as well as drawing up their lists of walking donors.

A blood-letting activity last Tuesday in La Libertad town, about two hours drive north of this capital city, yielded 40 bags of blood and 18 bags were also donated during a blood-letting in Siaton town in the south recently, she said.

Three blood-letting activities are scheduled for this month: On the 18th in Canlaon City, on the 22nd at the St. Joseph Seminary College in Sibulan town, and on the 28th here in Dumaguete, Bael disclosed.  (FREEMAN)