Red Cross laments few blood donors
The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) is disappointed at the repeated low turnout of blood donors in the province during their annual blood-letting program.
Florame Magalong, PNRC Pangasinan chapter administrator, described Pangasinan as being one of the most populated provinces in the country but with a 10% participation rate.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Magalong said this is a let down especially in light of the high demand for blood in the province.
Magalong said there are only six bags of blood available at their office, hence, Pangasinenses end up being referred to other PNRC chapters like Baguio City, or in chapters in La Union, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac, or the national blood center in Manila.
She bewailed an “attitude problem” among Pangasinenses, failing to realize the importance of donating blood until they encounter emergency cases and frantically plead for blood for themselves or their relatives.
“I hope the people will change their attitude and do their share instead of merely asking when their needs arise.” she said.
The PNRC here and the Region 1 Medical Center are the only two blood centers in the province accredited by the Department of Health.
The PNRC’s blood center can accommodate 500 bags at a time while the R1MC’s is capable of extracting the blood into three components for better and more use.
She said Red Cross has been doing its best to inform the people through the mayors and the media about the importance of donating blood, but the response has remained dismal.
Out of 44 towns and four cities in the province, she credited only the towns of San Fabian, Aguilar, Bayambang, San Manuel and Dagupan for their support of the Red Cross’ programs.
She also cited Dagupan City Administrator Alvin Fernandez and Minnie Aveline Posadas of San Carlos City, a blind person, for their regular blood donation. #
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