Am I eligible to donate blood?

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By Gabrielle Marie Perez
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January 21, 2018
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THE Philippine Red Cross Iloilo chapter recently launched its Dinagyang Blood Olympics in partnership with the City of Iloilo and Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation.

In connection with the event, the participating schools: John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, St. Therese Colleges, Iloilo Doctors’ College and Central Philippine University will hold a blood drive in their respective campuses during their scheduled dates, starting from Jan. 15 until 23.

The blood drive is a heartstring tugging event for the idealist within us. But before we jump into the blood drives, you may be asking yourself “Am I eligible?” Well, here are some of the qualifications according to Dr. Dennise Roy Pasadilla, Blood Center manager Philippine Red Cross Western Visayas Regional Blood Center.

The willing donor must be 50 kg and above for both male and female. Those aged 16 and 17 are already qualified, granting that they have a parental consent. People 60-years old and above are still permitted to donate for as long as they are regular donors. Physical examinations should be within normal. People who got their skin inked can still be qualified donors for as long as it has already been a year since getting the tattoo.

A person on the other hand may not donate if: he or she is HIV/AIDS infected; one has cancer, Haematological, i.e. Hodgkin, Leukaemia, Lymphomas; one is Hepatitis positive or has a history of the disease after the age of 11; organ failure (kidney, lung or liver).

Moreover here are some quick tips before donating blood. Getting a well-balanced meal within four hours of donation is recommended. Being well hydrated is also advised to help donors maintain blood volume and can prevent dizziness or fainting.

These are just a list of the basic things you need to possess to be an eligible donor. The rest will be given to you by Red Cross volunteers on the day of the blood drive.

In donating blood we are not only helping others but we are also doing ourselves good, for it has its benefits too according to Dr. Pasadilla. It is a change oil mechanism, promoting production of red cells in the bone marrow. Females get their monthly menstruation but men don’t thus donating blood is an iron load release for men.

Life is a precious gift from God. May we be able to pass it on in ways that we can. Let us be the lifeline, the ray of light in someone’s darkness cloaked world. For it could only take a drop of blood to start ripples in time and extend someone’s life./PN
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