GORDON URGES FOR NATIONWIDE VOLUNTARY BLOOD SUPPLY IN THE FACE OF DISEASES AND WAR

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) chairman Senator Richard J. Gordon today urged for more volunteer blood donors throughout the Philippines, as he lauded the participants in a blood donation drive held at the University of the Philippines Bahay ng Alumni in Diliman, Quezon City.

The blood-letting, dubbed as "Blood for Peace in Mindanao" gathered together young people from the City of Malabon University and the Dangal ng Guardians Philippines Inc. (DGPI). "Blood For Peace in Mindanao" at the Bahay ng Alumni inside the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman, Quezon City.

Gordon explained that millions of Filipinos throughout the archipelago will always need a readily available blood-supply, especially with the realities of diseases and war.

"This is a good day because we see young people who can be active participants in our quest for peace and in our fight against poverty and in reducing insurgency. We need blood. We need it for Mindanao and for those sick with dengue, cholera, and typhoid fever," Gordon said.

Gordon pointed out that regular voluntary, non-remunerated blood donations are integral to safe, adequate and sustainable blood supply for any nation.

Gordon also said that national blood programs aim to achieve the goal of total voluntary blood donation across the Philippines by 2010, which is why volunteer blood donors need to feel recognized and appreciated for their contribution to the nation's health and safety.

He also said there should be a commitment from volunteer blood donors to donate regularly and over long-term. "This sense of social engagement and belonging displayed can be the foundation of a stable voluntary donor pool," Chairman Gordon said.

Gordon then called on the national transfusion services to ensure that volunteer blood donors are made to feel safe and cared for during the process of donating blood.

The war in Mindanao gave an urgent context to the event, since the DGPI, an organization of military officers, offered their blood in support of their colleagues fighting the war.

Beneficiaries of the blood donation drive are the soldiers fighting for peace in Mindanao and the victims who are caught in the crossfire between the military and suspected rebels in many areas of southern Philippines.

The number of injured among soldiers and civilians in Mindanao has been rising as a result of the war, which is why an adequate blood supply in the area is of grave importance.