ILOILO City – The Philippine Red Cross – Iloilo Chapter and Western Visayas Regional Blood Center have kicked off the 2nd Dinagyang Blood Olympics, a school-based blood donation drive.
Joji Esper Marmolejo, Red Cross Iloilo service representative, said eight tertiary schools are serving as venues for blood-letting with students as target donors. These schools are the following:
* St. Therese MTC Colleges
* University of San Agustin
* Central Philippine University
* John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Molo and Arevalo campuses
* University of Iloilo
* Iloilo Science and Technology University
* Western Visayas State University
Marmolejo said their blood supply considerably dropped last month this month, thus the bloodletting is important.
“Para in times sang emergency maka-cater kita sang tanan,” said Marmolejo.
From last year’s Blood Olympics, Red Cross Iloilo was able to collect 300 blood bags.
This year, the target is at least 100 blood bags per school.
A donor must be at least 18 years old and at least 50 kilos.
The Blood Olympics schedules were the following:
* Jan. 15 – St. Therese MTC College-Tigbauan Campus
* Jan. 16 – University of San Agustin, Central Philippine University, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Arevalo)
* Jan. 17 — John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Molo) and University of Iloilo
* Jan. 18 – St. Therese MTC College-Magdalo site
* Jan. 21 – Iloilo Science and Technology University
* Jan. 22 – St. Therese MTC-La Fiesta Site and West Visayas State University.
WHY DONATE BLOOD?
In its website, the World Health Organization (WHO) explained why people should donate blood.
Safe blood saves lives and improves health. Blood transfusion is needed for:
* women with complications of pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies and hemorrhage before, during or after childbirth;
* children with severe anemia often resulting from malaria or malnutrition;
* people with severe trauma following man-made and natural disasters; and
* many complex medical and surgical procedures and cancer patients.
According to WHO, there is a constant need for regular blood supply because blood can be stored for only a limited time before use.
Regular blood donations by a sufficient number of healthy people are needed to ensure that safe blood will be available whenever and wherever it is needed, it stressed.
“Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets and plasma – – which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions,” WHO added.
WHO CAN DONATE BLOOD?
According to Red Cross, one can donate blood if he/she:
* is in good health
* is between 16 to 65 years old (16 and 17 years old need parents consent)
* weighs at least 110 pounds
* has a blood pressure between: Systolic: 90-160 mmHg, Diastolic: 60-100 mmHg; and
* has passed the physical and health history assessments.
Red Cross has the following tips to those wanting to donate blood:
* Have enough rest and sleep.
* No alcohol intake 24 hours prior to blood donation.
* No medications for at least 24 hours prior to blood donation.
* Have something to eat prior to blood donation, avoid fatty food.
* Drink plenty of fluid, like water or juice.
What should one do after donating blood? Red Cross has the following advice:
* Drink plenty of fluid, like water or juice.
* Refrain from stooping down after blood donation.
* Refrain from strenuous activities like lifting heavy objects, driving big vehicles such as bus, trucks, etc., or operating big machines.
* Avoid using the punctured arm in lifting heavy objects.
* Apply pressure on the punctured site and lift the arm in case the site is still bleeding.
* If there is discoloration and swelling on the punctured site, you may apply cold compress for 24 hours.
* If there is dizziness, just lie down with your feet elevated. Drink plenty of juice; and in just a few minutes or so, it will pass./PN
