Be a Gift of Life, Donate Blood and be a Hero.

"Be a hero, give blood...Let's support the blood drive"

I am standing right beside the sign that

says be a hero and donate blood.

Helping those in need may be in as little as giving healthy blood to organizations like the Philippine Red Cross. A bloodletting program facilitated by our Safety department with the Philippine Red Cross team in Olongapo City held a one-day bloodletting in our office to support and aid those in need of blood in the city.

While I cannot donate this time because I have a cold and they say when you feel sick you cannot donate. So I decided to just document what was happening so I can help show how bloodletting in our office goes.

I prepare my pen and notebook to take down notes and my very useful camera to catch some interesting scenes while volunteer nurses and doctors are in action.


Let's see what I can share a little while.

Flashing a smile. Ms. Marisa A. Vida and

Mr. Alvin Dulay with the Luntian boys.

I started looking for our company nurse to asked for some information about this activity. She is the one who made this all possible because she understands how every drop of blood counts to save a life. The name behind that is Ms. Marisa A. Vida. Look at her in the picture with the company nurse of Luntian Ladscaping & General Services and the Luntian boys who were there to donate blood too. Looks like a happy family picture! :)

They seem to be so calm... they were all making fun of each other and chit-chatting when I enter the hallway of the conference room where bloodletting will take place.

Ms.Marisa is busy assisting Red Cross team preparing the room and setting-up tables, chairs and collapsible beds for the donors while some PCSPC employees, their contractors and some other companies in the POL pier compound were arriving and registering for the program. Even that busy with the activity, she was able to free-up an extra minute to answer my questions on the procedures to be done, the requirements and the eligibility of the donor.

The Red Cross volunteer is helping a donor to fill-up
his registration form at the front desk.

The process involves in donating blood:

1.) Registration at the front desk.
2.) Fill-up Donor's form from the Red Cross team.
3.) Have a blood pressure Weight test.
4.) Blood typing and Hemoglobin check.
5.) Counselling and Physical Check-up.
6.) Blood extraction (will take 25min-30min).
7.) Rest and Refreshments.

A donor extends his left hand to prepare for a blood typing test and HGB check.

Red Cross volunteer is conducting a blood typing and HGB check with a donor.

An HGB count was conducted by another Red Cross volunteer
before issuance of  Red Cross card.

A Red Cross volunteer is serious in conducting a blood typing. 

A Red Cross bag full of materials and supplies needed for the blood donation.

A Red Cross volunteer is preparing the bag and the needle to be used for
the person in bed reading a brochure about importance of donating blood. 

A successful extraction with the donor will receive a certificate of appreciation
from the  Philippine Red Cross Olongapo City Chapter.

Hmm.. It seems donating our blood can really be as cool as that, not to mention the refreshments after that while resting. Hahaha.

According to Ms. Marisa and the Red Cross team, a person is eligible to donate a blood when he is in good health, if he is 16 to 65 years of age, weights at least 110lbs. or 50kg., has a blood pressure of between 130/90 to 110/70 and when he pass the physical and health history assessment. And that's it, you can be a donor!

I also asked them how often a person can donate a blood and what are some the circumstances that may disqualify them to donate?

Their answer :

"A person who successfully donates his blood may re-donate after three months. But make sure you do not undergone a tattooing, ear piercing, acupuncture, and other procedures involving needles. You might be disqualified until proven the procedures are sterile and one (1) year after that procedure.


How to Prepare Yourself before Donating Blood

1. Make sure you have enough rest and sleep.
2. Do not drink any medicine and alcoholic drinks prior to donating blood.
3. Drink plenty of water and/or juice.
4. Make sure you eat your meal before you donate.
5. Ensure you have a healthy body before going to blood center.

Be a Gift of Life, Donate Blood.

It's really as simple as that to be a hero to others. In fact, it is our benefit too because we will be examined for FREE on blood type testing, hemoglobin count and the blood pressure test. It helps us to maintain a healthy production and circulation of blood and it personally feels great to know that we are safe and regularly have a blood checking.

Do's and Don'ts after donating blood:

Do's

• Drink plenty of water and/or juice.
• Drink more liquid four (4) hours after blood extraction.
• Put pressure where blood was extracted.
• Take a rest and have enough sleep.
• Donate blood after 3 months.
• If bleeding occurs, raise your hand and put pressure until bleeding stops.
• If you feel dizzy, lay down and raise your feet in level above your body.

Dont's

• Avoid heavy work after blood extraction.
• Avoid too much bowing (pagyuko).
• Do not drink alcoholic drink within 24 hours after the donation.
• Avoid smoking 30 minutes after blood extraction.
• Do not remove plaster from you within eight (8) hours to avoid bleeding.

And that's all for now folks. I hope that these are helpful tips and have give you idea of being a HERO by donating your blood. Things get easier and we became fearless because we have enough information on things we plan of doing. 

Have a great day and HAPPY blood donating!!!