Tag Archives: blood donation

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day

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In January 2016, blood transfusion saved my life. If not for kind hearted relatives who were willing to donate their blood, I wouldn’t be here today.

I had a bad case of endometriosis and adenomyoma back in 2014. The bleeding and pain became unbearable in the latter part of 2015. The doctor suggested dilation and curettage (D&C) to check if the bleeding could be addressed by the procedure. I needed blood transfusion first. Luckily, my cousin’s wife and nephews were able to donate blood before the procedure took place.

My problem though didn’t end after D&C, but I’m thankful there were good people who shared their precious blood to save my life.

Image by Ahmad Ardity from Pixabay

Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure to remove tissue from inside your uterus. Doctors perform dilation and curettage to diagnose and treat certain uterine conditions — such as heavy bleeding — or to clear the uterine lining after a miscarriage or abortion. — mayoclinic.org

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A priest’s take on blood donation

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For nearly two decades, Father Bobby Olaguer regularly donates blood to government and private hospitals at least twice a year. It has been his commitment since his younger brother died of leukemia more than 20 years ago.

The 60-something chaplain of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and the parish priest of Ina ng Awa Parish in Muntinlupa City said donating blood has become his way of life.

“My first blood recipient was my brother who was then confined in a hospital due to leukemia. He passed away in 1984. Since then I really go out of my way to donate blood whenever a relative or friend needs them,” he told Life Lessons.

Fr. Bob, who only takes a carbonated drink after every blood extraction and drives home after an hour of rest, said he’d probably donated three to four gallons of blood.

“Naka-center ang mass sa Eucharist, which is blood…and blood donation extends life,” he said.

Fr. Bob intends to donate blood for as long as he is capable of helping other people.

“This is the greatest act performed by Jesus Christ figuratively, literally and sacramentally,” he said.

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day.

Instilling the value of blood donation to students

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I wonder what happened to the government program that aims to promote voluntary blood donation among young people.

About five years ago, health authorities said voluntary blood donation will be integrated to the lessons taught in public high school and state universities.

According to then Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, lessons about voluntary blood donation will help foster a positive attitude towards the sacrificial act.

The school-based program, if materializes, primarily seeks to encourage more volunteer blood donors.

In 2006, the partial blood collections in the Philippines were placed at 500,000 or 65 percent of the target.

At the time, the government intends to collect blood from 1 percent of the total 85 million population or 800,000 persons.

Safe blood supply, according the health experts, is especially needed during the lean months of April, May, June, November, December and January, when blood collection is low.

It was also around 2006 that the government through the National Voluntary Blood Services Program has started the centralization of blood testing and component processing in several blood centers in the country to ensure safety of donated blood.

Here are some of the blood centers that volunteer donors can visit. The Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City; the Bicol Blood Center in Legaspi City; the Region 7 Blood Center in Cebu for the Visayas; and the Davao Blood Center for Mindanao. (These list is not updated, there could be more blood centers that have been added to the list.)

The World Blood Donor Day is observed yearly to pay tribute to voluntary, unpaid donors who have saved the lives of those in need.