PBA holds blood donation drive

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA is holding its annual blood donation drive on June 16 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Now on its fourth year, the project is in line with the league’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) venture through the Alagang PBA program.

Held in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and Smart Araneta Coliseum, the blood donation drive starts at 12 noon at the green gate of the Big Dome.

Qualified persons should be 18 to 60 years old, with those from 61-65 years old being a regular blood donor, while young donors aged 16-17 years old should have their parents’ consent with them.

Donors should also weigh at least 110 lbs. (50 kgs. above) and have no symptoms of cough, runny nose, diarrhea, and sore throat for at least a week.

Likewise, there must also be a three-month interval between two blood donations, while a 12-month deferment is required for those who underwent ear piercing and body tattoo.

Other requirements include blood pressure of 90 and 160 (systolic) and between 60 and 100 (diastolic), pulse rate of between 50 and 100 beats per minute, and hemoglobin level of at least 125 g/L or must pass the routine qualitative check for hemoglobin.