APO, Red Cross Urge UPB Students to Participate in Blood Donation Drives
By Kharen Dela Fuerte | May 10, 2024
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Baguio City Chapter and Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Gamma Pi Chapter held a blood donation drive at the University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) Alumni Center Lobby from May 7 to 9.
The donation drive aimed to encourage students and UPB staff to donate enough safe blood as a form of service to the community and promote a culture of volunteerism.
According to APO Head Lyanne Lopez, the organization has previously worked with the PRC to hold blood donation drives yearly and every semester, even before the pandemic.
“So far kasi, after the pandemic, since hindi namin nagagawa yung blood donation drives, ‘yong students ng UPB ay hindi gaanong aware sa ganitong kinds of activities. Pero dahil tina-try na namin siyang i-bring back, pataas din naman nang pataas ‘yong donation,” Lopez said.
(So far, after the pandemic, since we haven’t been able to conduct blood donation drives, the students of UPB are not aware of these kinds of activities. But because we’re trying to bring it back, the blood donations are increasing.)
Meanwhile, Jceun, a Red Cross volunteer, emphasized that it is important for the students to participate in blood donation drives to help the patients and hospitals in need.
“With just one blood unit from a donor, we can save up to three lives kasi may iba pang components na napupuntahan ang isang dugo,” he added.
(With just one blood unit from a donor, we can save up to three lives since there are also other components that can be used from a single blood donation.)
APO member Kathleen Mendrez further encouraged the students to support future donation drives inside the university.
“Sana makiisa sila sa lahat ng mga events na pwedeng way to give service sa community. Isa ito sa mga pagkakataon na mag-participate in something bigger na hindi makukuha sa apat na sulok ng classrooms. Chance rin ito to expand yung experiences nila and to explore ways to practice volunteerism,” Mendrez said.
(I hope they can join all the events that could serve as a way to give service to the community. This is one of the opportunities to participate in something bigger that they won’t experience within the four corners of the classroom. It’s also a chance for them to expand their experiences and explore ways to practice volunteerism.)
The blood donation drive is part of the PRC Baguio City Chapter’s movement to celebrate this year’s World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on May 8.
