RCCF Holds Annual Grand Bloodletting
Photo by Keith Ayuman
On Sunday, July 30, 2017, the Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente (RCCF) alongside other Rotary Clubs of District 3860 held its annual Grand Bloodletting in Robinsons Galleria Cebu. Every year at the end of July, they hold this grand activity to culminate the bloodletting month.The Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente – USC Chapter helped organize the event upon the invitation of their mother organization.
Troops in the armed forces have a regular demand of blood, and eligible personnel are donors because they are the ones who have a steady demand. Regular donors receive a donor’s card from the Department of Health and the Philippine Red Cross which he or she may use to donate blood in times of need. However, with the tragedy that struck Marawi, more of the troops needed blood. As a result, many men and women in uniform from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Airforce, Navy and Central Command were in attendance along with former mayor, Mike Rama.
However, uniformed personnel are not the only ones in need. With the rainy season overhead, dengue cases are also on the rise. This year, Rotarians would like to emphasize a lesson with the theme of their event, “Don’t wait until disaster strikes. What can you do? Give blood, give now, give often.”
RCCF President Maricel Borromeo-Amores warned, “You will only realize how important it is if it affects you.”
She also stressed the importance of donating blood only to the legitimate agencies, namely the Philippine Red Cross and the Department of Health’s Regional Blood Coordinating Councils because illegitimate blood banks exist to sell unscreened blood to desperate patients.
According to the Philippine Red Cross, anyone can donate blood if they are in good health, between 16 to 65 years old (minors need parents’ consent) and weigh at least 50 kilograms. All interested donors are screened and tested during events, so anyone unsure of their status may check, and in the process, confirm their blood type and if they have any STDs, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Everything here is free where otherwise, they would be over 2,000 Php in clinics.
After bloodletting, a donor must wait three months before donating again. This is why the RCCF foresees their next bloodletting event around December. However, interested donors may approach the Cebu City Red Cross Chapter at Osmeña Boulevard or email them at evrbc@redcross.org.ph any time.
