They say that all it takes is a little love for us to give. The Yupper Organizing Committee and Bethesdan Team in cooperation with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) organized a series of blood donation activity last June 26 and September 25, 2010 at JCTGBTG Church Center. These were conducted alongside PNRC’s First Aid Training Seminar. The day began by screening each donor before proceeding to the blood collection. There were approximately sixty church members and workers who qualified as blood donors.
Blood bags are transported to the PNRC blood bank where these are stored, preserved and processed into blood components for transfusion to save or prolong lives. Among those who benefit from the blood donation program are cancer patients, individuals who suffered from considerable loss of blood due to accidents, when giving birth or during major surgeries.
Apart from the recipients, blood donors also gain health benefits from this program. When relevant amount of blood is released, the body reacts by producing new blood cells which will result to better functioning of the organs and thus reducing the risk of critical illnesses. Aside from this, the donor receives a Blood Donor Card which they could present at any PNRC facility nationwide come the time that they would need blood. This entitles the card holder to withdraw one (1) bag for a minimal fee charged for the processing and screening of blood for infectious diseases. This processing fee may even be waived for every two (2) donor cards presented. The Interval for blood extraction is every three (3) months. Snacks and refreshments were served to donors after the process.
The Church Administration and the program organizers want to thank our church members as well as Gov. Wilma Amoranto-Sarino, second to the PNRC Chairman Richard Gordon, for being instrumental to this program’s productivity. The blood donation program not only helped save lives but also promoted the act of volunteerism within our church. This reflects our intention to give without expecting something in return but simply because we love, just like what Christ did.
