1,416 blood bags collected in Calabarzon during blood donation drive

This year’s blood donation drive conducted in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) by the Regional Voluntary Blood Services Program (RVBSP) in coordination with various partner agencies including the Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Iglesia ni Cristo and local government units of various provinces yielded a total of 1,416 blood bags and 9 platelet apheresis during the celebration of World Blood Donor Day from June 11-25, 2021.

A total of 225 successful blood donors donated their blood during the blood donation drive in the town of Mendez in the province of Cavite; 108 in Los Banos, Laguna; 81 in Tanay, Rizal; 189 in Camp Karingal, Quezon; 167 in Malvar, Batangas; 227 in General Trias, Cavite; 135 in Gumaca, Quezon; 73 in Hotel Sogo Cubao in Quezon City and 211 successful blood donors contributed during the blood donation activity conducted in Kawit, Cavite.

In support of the Department of Health’s (DOH) mandate to provide adequate supply of safe and non-remunerated blood supply for patients needing blood products, the Regional Voluntary Blood Services Program regularly conducts blood and apheresis donation among its employees.

RVSP Coordinator Myla Velgado said that the routine conduct of blood donation helps ensure a sufficient and quality supply of blood products. “A bag of blood can save up to three lives. It is separated into platelets, plasma, red blood cells and white blood cells which can be given to at least three patients.”

“Blood is free. Blood should be shared. Blood donation is the most humane gesture a person can do. And it is the simplest way to save a life,” Velgado stated.

According to the World Health Organization, blood donation by 1% of the population is the minimum needed to meet a country’s most basic requirements for blood.

“Let us continue saving lives by voluntarily donating our blood. It is the foundation of safe and sufficient blood supply,” Velgado emphasized. 

The last leg of the blood donation drive led by DOH-CALABARZON Regional Voluntary Services Program held at the Tangulan Arena in Kawit, Cavite on June 25, 2021. A total of 1,416 blood bags were collected during the activity. (Posted by:Ana Marie Demerin)