LBMHO holds 2nd blood drive for 2017

by Blessie Ayalde

The Los Baños Municipal Health Office (LBHMO) organized the Dugong Bayani blood drive held last June 17, 2017 at the Los Baños Municipal Hall activity area. The bloodletting activity was conducted in partnership with the Philippine Blood Center (PBC), and with the help of the Scouts Royale Brotherhood Theta Alumni Association.

The blood drive started at 8am. Potential blood donors must be aged 18-60 years, weighed at least 50 kg, and must pass the health examination in order to donate blood. One bag (450cc) of blood is then collected from them to be donated to the PBC.

Dugong Bayani volunteers need to be screened before they can be deemed qualified to donate blood.

According to Dugong Bayani Coordinator Irene Bautista, the participants need to go through four steps before being deemed as a proper blood donor. Volunteers underwent (1) registration; (2) vital signs, blood pressure, and weight check; (3) health exam, where they will also answer a checklist; (4) and lastly, the blood screening. Only after passing will they be able to donate. Around 70 individuals were screened and donated for the cause.

“Nag-donate ako para makatulong sa komunidad,” 59-year-old Pip Elec, a member of Scouts Royale Brotherhood said. “Kailangan na kailangan ng dugo pero madaming walang pera at card, kaya magandang tulong ‘to sa kanila.”

 A group of three friends, Camille Estimado (24), Sarah May Pascua (25), and Rose Aviegael Dichosa (24) said that they donated also to help and because it is beneficial to them since it helps regenerate blood and has many health benefits. Estimado has donated four times already and invited her two friends to donate blood too.

The term “Dugong Bayani” dates back to 2004, and means that not all heroes wear capes because the simple act of donating is already an act of heroism. By donating blood, we can also help save lives, which makes donors heroes. “Madami ang nangangailangan ng dugo dahil kulang ang dugo sa blood bank at hindi na siya nasu-sustain,” explained Dr. Alvin A. Isidoro, the Los Baños municipal health officer.

“Hindi mo kailangan magbuwis ng buhay para maging bayani. Ang mga sundalo nakikipaglaban kaya sila natawag na bayani, pero sa simpleng pagbibigay mo lang ng dugo ay nagiging bayani ka na din,” Dr. Isidoro said. He stated that their goal is to have a steady supply of blood so that there would be a ready supply in times of emergencies. He also said that even though there are not as much people in the event unlike other big blood drives, they can still somehow offer help.

Dugong Bayani is conducted three times a year. According to Irene Lapitan Bautista, the coordinator of the event, this is the second bloodletting event of the year. Dugong Bayani is usually conducted during the months of February, June, and October.

The next blood drive is set to be conducted on October 2017. The donors were awarded with certificates and received free food and souvenirs. The bloodletting event ended at 3PM.

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