TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 9 (PNA) – For Andrie Tibe Adora, 24, an ICU (intensive care unit) staff nurse at a hospital in the city, he donated more pints of blood after super typhoon Yolanda decimated the central Philippines because he knew more patients were in need of safe and quality blood after the disaster.
Adora is one of the 18 Blood Galloner Awardees during the culmination activity of the National Blood Donors Month last July of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Leyte Chapter at Ritz Tower de Leyte.
He has donated five times more after the storm, that brings a total of 13 blood bags at 455 cc (cubic centimeter) each bag, ( or an equivalent of one gallon and 4 pints).
The nurse started donating blood when he was still in college, when his grandfather was in need of blood transfusion and luckily their blood type matched. His grandfather died that year, but his vow to donate more blood continued and he said he would encourage his relatives and friends to do the same.
PRC Leyte chapter Director Cirila Villegas, internal affairs -committee on awards, ethics and values formation in her message thanked the blood galloners, different government agencies and private entities for initiating mass blood donations.
The official is happy to see representatives of Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force who are still around to continue to support the Red Cross blood donation program.
When she was younger, she failed to donate blood because of fear, but now she said in jest, the more she cannot donate because she is over the age requirement.
She hailed the blood donors for their selflessness, commitment and courage to give a precious part of themselves to save the life of others.
Nilda Quiero, recruitment officer of Blood Bank Services of the PRC Leyte chapter said that for the first quarter this year, 738 bags (almost 90 gallons of blood) has already been served to people in need.
She encouraged the awardees and the agencies in attendance to invite more people to donate voluntarily. Quiero added that Philippine Red Cross need a safe, healthy and reliable supply of blood from unpaid donors.
This year’s theme worked on “Thank You for Saving my Life” and its slogan “Give Freely, Give Often, Blood Donation Matters.”
“The significance of donating blood is the lives you save for your unselfishness. You may save a bleeding mother giving birth, a soldier hit in an encounter, a child in transfusion, a person battling cancer, dengue patients, those with severe burns and even save the life of your own,” Quiero said.
Fire Officer Dulce Amor R. Tiu, 36, of the Bureau of Fire had donated 11 times at 450cc each bag. She said she thought of donating to help strangers in need of a previous drop of blood. She said she is going to encourage also her children when they reach the right age.
She was complimented that she looked younger than her age, she said it must be because of her regular blood donation. Studies show that new blood cells from the bone morrow are produced when blood is extracted from a person.
How to donate Blood?
According to Quiero, blood donation takes less than 10-20 minutes. The entire process would take an hour as one follows the flow of process from registration, medical history inquiry, physical examination and blood test.
It is a safe process as trained “Phlebotomists” (one that draws blood) will do the job. A sterile needle is used once and then discarded.
Who can donate blood?
One can donate blood if they are in good health; between 16 to 65 years old (16 and 17 years old need parents consent); weigh at least 110 pounds, have a blood pressure between: Systolic: 90-160 mmHg, Diastolic: 60-100 mmHg; and pass the physical and health history assessments.
Before donating blood, a person should have enough sleep, no alcohol intake for 24-hours prior to blood donation, no medications for at least 24 hours prior to blood donation, have something to eat prior to blood donation avoid fatty food, drink plenty of fluid like water or juice.
Eighty-five percent of blood supply at Philippine Red Cross Leyte chapter are collected through blood mass drives set up by community organizations, colleges, military installations, companies and house of worships among others.
A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every 56 days, or double red cells every 112 days. There are four types of transfusable products that can be derived from blood: red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. Typically, two or three of these are produced from a pint of donated whole blood — hence each donation can help save more than one life.
The PRC has a Blood Samaritan Program that assists indigent patients in partnership with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and other private financial donors. (PNA)