by Mary Rose B. Manlangit and Darryl Joi P. Fuentes

A total of 118 persons have donated blood in this year’s Sandugan bloodletting activity of the Red Cross Youth of University of the Philippines Los Baños (RCY-UPLB) in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Laguna Chapter, held August 15, 2012 at the UPLB College of Human Ecology (CHE) Lobby.

This year’s turnout is 20 percent higher compared to the 98 donors recorded last year. This is according to Blood Program Committee Head  Genevive Paroan of the RCY-UPLB citing that there were actually 150  persons who registered  but others were not  qualified as donors. She said that the purpose of the activity is to collect blood that will be used readily by patients during emergencies. The donated blood will be brought to the PRC Laguna Chapter blood bank for testing and safekeeping. Paroan explained that 500 cc or about two cups of blood is being contracted from a donor’s body and right after the procedure they assist and provide snacks for the donors.

According to Riana Joyce Ortega, a junior BS Industrial Engineering student, donating blood gives her the feeling of fulfillment because in her own way she can help the people in need of blood in the community.

Because of the RCY of UPLB’s efforts in promoting Sanduguan, people became more aware about the insufficient blood supply in local blood banks.

“Being my first time to donate blood, this is also an opportunity for me to know my blood type and to assess my health status,” said Ferdinand Esguerra, a freshman BS Electrical Engineering student here, adding that he would also want to help those people looking for blood donors.

On the other hand, an Instructor of the Learning Place Los Baños and a graduate of the BA Communication Arts program of UPLB, Alex Crisologo, said that since he had entered college, it has been his practice to donate blood during bloodletting activities. He also added that this is his way to help a patient in need to use his blood ready during emergency.

The blood letting activity was opened to UPLB students and to all people in the Los Baños community who are willing to donate blood.  Qualifications of the donor are 16 years old and above, at least 50 kg in weight, have no tattoo and piercing, and have no open wounds. Donors who are 17 years below are to secure their parent’s consent.

The activity was conducted in partnership with the Rotary Club Los Baños Makiling,  Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Shirts Avenue, Aqua Altria, and Jerico’s Bakeshop.

The Sanduguan was the first bloodletting activity of RCY-UPLB this academic year. Annually, they have three major bloodletting activities, the Sandaguan which is being held every first semester of the academic year; the Bloodline: The Pledge of Life, during second semester where RCY-UPLB awards the eldest and youngest blood donor; and the Bloodiest Rumble which is being participated by the UPLB organizations during February Fair.

The RCY-UPLB is under the supervision of PRC Laguna Chapter wherein the facilities used as well as the two physicians and the four nurses who administered in the bloodletting activity were from the PRC Laguna Chapter.

This coming September 10, the RCY-UPLB will be holding an HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Seminar at the NCAS Auditorium, UPLB.

by Paoloregel B. Samonte

The local government unit (LGU) of Barangay Batong Malake, in cooperation with UPLB-based organizations Venerable Knight Veterinarians (VKV) Fraternity and Venerable Lady Veterinarians (VLV) Sorority, conducted a free anti-rabies vaccination program last Saturday, July 28 at the Brgy. Batong Malake Barangay Hall.

Over twenty dogs received anti-rabies shots in the vaccination station set up by the project team spearheaded by Mr. Jair Airon Grayal, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student of UPLB and member of the VKV Fraternity. In addition to this station, a separate team was assigned to patrol the barangay vicinity in order to reach more pets in specific areas of concern which included the public market, Lopez Avenue, and the streets of El Danda and Bancal. The anti-rabies injections were funded by the local government unit.

Rabies has continued to be a public concern in the Philippines, a fact evident in the locality as well. Laguna has been named by DOH as one of the ten provinces registering the most number of human rabies cases, with the CALABARZON region one of the regions with the highest incidences of rabies-related human deaths.

Dr. Ross Antonio Banayo, the administering veterinarian and an alumnus of the VKV fraternity and of the UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine, explained that aside from the fact that this practice of securing the welfare of dogs and other animals is related to their profession as veterinarians, the activity also served as a form of public service.

“This activity is held to reinforce preventive measures for rabies. This is, of course, better than doing nothing and waiting until someone suffers. Besides, rabies is fatal once it afflicts individual dogs or humans.” Dr. Banayo added.

This biannual activity served as a continuation of an earlier anti-rabies vaccination project conducted last July 14, in which the principal areas of concern were Forestry, Jamboree, Grove, Demarses, Riverside, and Raymundo.

by Paula Nicole A. Zaldivar

BAY, LAGUNA – A bloodletting activity will be conducted at Brgy. Dila on February 25, 2012 in cooperation with Philippine Red Cross, the bloodletting will be held at Bay Central School, beside the barangay hall of Brgy. Dila.

Ms. Edna Curibot, the Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS), coordinated with the Philippine Red Cross. Curibot explained that the barangay organized the second bloodletting activity inspired by the success of October 2011’s first bloodletting.

This is the second time for the barangay. Though there are still some details to be straightened out,  assured that the blood donation will happen no matter what.

Fifteen blood donors from the barangay was recorded in October last year. Several residents were willing to donate blood, however,  health complications hindered them from being qualified as a blood donor.

For this month’s bloodletting activity, the barangay aims to exceed the previous number of qualified donors. Brgy. Councilor Menard Curibot said that the teachers and staff of Bay Central School have expressed their interest of donating. He hopes that most of them will be qualified donors. Councilor Curibot explained that they are conducting house visits to encourage the resident to take part in the bloodletting.

The purpose of the blood donation is to help their ka-barangay who are in need of blood. Councilor Curibot mentioned that there was a time when they had to borrow a Blood Donors Card from the residents of other barangay when they needed blood for one of the residents of Brgy. Dila.

A Blood Donors Card is given to those who have successfully donated blood to Red Cross.  Donors can present this card to any Red Cross Blood Service Facilities with the blood request from hospital whenever he/she or any members of his family and friends need blood. Blood Donors Card holders are in priority whenever they need blood.

“Yung mga taong kailangan ng dugo dito sa amin, ‘di na kailangang lumapit pa sa ibang barangay. Kami-kami na ang magtutulungan. Marami din kasi ang nangangailangan dito, tulad nyan, may isa kaming ka-barangay na dina-dialysis,” said Councilor Curibot. Still, he emphasized that it is the donors’ prerogative if he/she would like to give help and lend his/her card.

Councilor Curibot, a donor himself said that he will be willing to lend his card since he feels like it is his moral responsibility. He explained that it will just be one of the small things he can do to help other people. He also said that aside from helping others, it will also benefit his health.

Part of the promotion of the blood donation is letting people aware of the benefits of donating blood and educating the residents about the Blood Donors Card.

The Los Baños municipality is making primary healthcare more accessible and convenient to the communities by establishing ambulatory units all over the town.

The 24-hour ambulatory clinics will render free medical services for simple and emergency cases, such as asthma attacks, birth labors, gastrointestinal problems, and skin diseases.

The municipality plans to provide one ambulatory clinic for two barangays, which make up a cluster. The first of these ambulatory clinics is targeted in Brgy. Timugan and Brgy. Putho during the first half of 2012.  Already, the LGU has grouped the 14 barangays in Los Baños into clusters.

by Heidi Mendoza