ILOILO – Today, Feb. 12, at the provincial capitol lobby, officers and members of the Provincial Federation Association of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) will be donating blood.
This is the first ever blood donation activity in the country with PDWs as donors, according to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) that is organizing today’s bloodletting, as confirmed by the National Council on Disability Affairs.
PSWDO registered a total of 10,300 PWDs in the entire province.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the blood donation activity is just among the programs of the province to address the problem on lack of donors.
“This is very important in our healthcare system. Not only this Saturday, but this year we have a program to implement to improve our sources, especially our donors,” he said.
PSWDO PWD Focal Person Ann Rapunzel Ganzon said they target 100 donors to participate in the event.
“Gusto ta nga ipalabot sa tanan nga ang kasablagan sa lawas indi upang agud maluwas ang kabuhi sang iban,” said Ganzon.
Local government units (LGUs) were requested to provide transportation to the PWDs.
Philippine Red Cross’ Dr. Catherine Javellana thanked the provincial government for the initiative as it will replenish their supply of blood which is now on critical level due to the pandemic.
Javellana noted that there has been a reduction of blood supply this year compared to 2019. Red Cross only recorded 1,400 blood units in January 2022, lower than the 2,000 during the same period in 2019.
Today’s bloodletting, which is in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross Iloilo Chapter, is themed, “Pagpalangga sa Tion sang Pandemya: Kasablagan sa Lawas, Hindi Upang Agod Kabuhi sang Iban Maluwas.” (LHC/Capitol news/PN)
