PRC Calls For More Blood Donors

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) here is calling more blood donors as it shared anew the benefits one can get in donating blood.

PRC-Siquijor Sub-Chapter head Rowena Maputi said donating blood boosts one’s health and can save lives that makes every blood donor a hero.

“It is a mobile act because you do not only give people a chance to live, you also give yourself benefits which only giving blood can offer,” said Maputi, adding that blood is a vital component of man’s existence and that even with advance technology the world has not been able to invent a substitute for blood.

It is something that nobody else could offer except another human being, she added.

Maputi also noted that everyday people suffering from anemia, leokemiahemophilia, those who undergo surgery, or those who will deliver a baby need blood.

Donating blood is a simple procedure that will take only a few minutes but gives the following benefits:

• The bone narrow will stimulate to produce new cells which is turn makes the blood forming organs function more effectively.
• The donor gets personal health check that include blood typing, haemoglobin count and knowing the donors’ blood type and blood pressure.
• Regularly donating blood helps males in particular to reduce the amount of iron in the blood and this can reduce the chance of heart attached by 88 percent, and can lower the risk of stroke by 33 percent, she said while noting that noting that it can also improve fitness as donating one pint of blood (450 ml) burns 650 calories in the donor’s body.
• Every time a person donates blood, he or she is given a blood donor card that will enable him to be in priority in case he is need of blood.
• This card is transferrable to family members and friends and it has no expiration date, Maputi also said.
• General and physical requirements of a blood donor are both men and women aging 18-60 years old with a normal body temperature of 37 Celsius; a normal pulse rate of 50-90 beats per minute and a normal blood pressure of 120/80 mml-lg.
• Regular donors can give blood until they are 65 years old. Those aged 16-17 years may also give blood with the consent of their parents or guardians.

The blood program of the Philippines operates in accordance with the provisions, of the National Blood Services Act of 1994 or RA 7719, in tripartite cooperation of the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Blood Coordinating Council and the PRC who are tasked to provide safe blood donation, donor retention and care and operation of a network of 72 blood services facilities all over the country. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from IAAbatayo)