Grand Bloodletting 2013 Scheduled

In the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu last July 17, partners from the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the Department of Health Regional Blood Center 7 (DOH RBC 7), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Cebu Chapter, the Ayala Business Club of Cebu, and members from the media convened to tackle about one of this month’s biggest socio-civic initiative–the Grand Bloodletting 2013.

Along with the topic on drug-bust operations in Cebu which was one of the topics, the Grand Bloodletting stirred drive not only to the major convenors of the event but also to those present in the forum, on the essentiality of blood donation and other issues concerning it. Issues on safe blood transfusion, comparison on prices blood bags in blood banks to that of commercial entities, inadequacy of donors and sanitation were tackled.

“Be advised that there are only two official agencies who serve as blood collection units namely PRC and DOH RBC,” said Dr. Christine Ligaray, chief of DOH RBC-7. In the forum, Ligaray urged the public vigilance on safety of blood donations and the standard price of per blood bag inclusive of the necessary tests already. She noted that every transfusion conducted should be a professional medical service and not a sale of commodity, referring to some private commercial entities that price bags at relatively higher rates.

This year’s Grand Bloodletting will be held simultaneously on July 27 at the Cebu City Sports Center and the University of Cebu Lapu-lapu and Mandaue campuses. “Every blood donation is a Gift of Life” is this year’s Grand Bloodletting theme in line with the PRC’s’ campaign.

Jonah Lafuente of PMAP Immediate Past President (Photo by MetroCebu News)

Don Jade Camano of Rotaract (Photo by MetroCebu News)

Cheryl Fuentes, Philippine Red Cross Donor Recruitment Officer (Photo by MetroCebu News)

(L-R) 888 News Forum panelists Clarence Paul Oaminal of Dangerous Drugs Board, Dr. Asuncion Anden, Regional director of DOH-7, forum moderator Ricky Poca, Chief Supt. Generoso Cervo, PRO-7 officer-in-charge, Alec Bucao of the Ayala Business Club Cebu and Philip Tan, Mandaue Chamber President
(Photo by MetroCebu News)