RBC reminds donors on "true purpose" of giving

CEBU, Philippines – The Regional Blood Center is reminding blood donors of the true purpose of the act of donating as a lot have misconceptions on why blood should be given.

This after blood donors were found out to abuse their benefits.

RBC Chief Dr. Reynette Legaray said that many of the donors give blood with different motives and not in hopes of saving the lives of those in need.

Legaray said that the act of donating blood is not about how it would help them in the future but how they could help the people who are sick and needs their blood.

“Six to eight blood donors out of 10 have ulterior motives in voluntarily donating blood,” he said.

Legaray explained that there are those who think of how they will be given priority if they will need the blood in the future. Some even do it for free screen tests, Legaray said.

According to Legaray, that their office, as well as other blood centers like the Regional Blood Coordinating Council and the Philippine National Red Cross are not blood depository banks.

This she said because donors have it in mind that they will be given priority once they donate their blood.

Legaray said that there is a definite need to strengthen the education campaign on voluntary blood donation and that it should be explained that it should be for the intention of helping other people.

She said that through information drives, they would be able to give more people the idea of the true essence of voluntarily submitting themselves for blood donation.

Meanwhile, with the theme, “100 percent voluntary blood donation”, the Philippines joined the celebration of the World Blood Donor Day last June 14.

Legaray said that Cebu has still a lot to do to achieve the aim of the 100 percent blood donation which is expanding the donor recruitment system to the barangays.

Through this, local officials of the barangay will head voluntary blood donations in their respective places. RBC will be supporting through technical assistance in this activities of the barangay.

Legaray said that Cebu needs to have more supply of blood of at least 40 percent through voluntary donations.    

During the World Blood Donor Day celebration, shoppers and mall visitors in Cebu were also given leaflets containing information on the promotion of voluntary blood donation.

Other activities will also take place in the month of July as it is declared as the Blood month. — AJ de la Torre/BRP (THE FREEMAN)