JEDDAH — GIVE BLOOD SAVE LIVES. A broken record remark of an affiliated groups of the Filipino Community in which their unending support and assistance to their adopted country had been proven in the last few years. And for the 4th consecutive year, they all gathered together for a blood donating campaign last at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. More than 100 participants from Magrabi Hospitals and Centers, Tau Gamma Phi/ Tau Gamma Sigma and True One, picked up courage to lend their arms for the said campaign. Approximately 41, 000 blood donations are needed each day. Since blood cannot be manufactured, the only way to supply this is via generous blood donors. Donating blood a single time may help save the lives of up to 3 people. Rachel Grace Parfan, chairman of the Nursing Education Committee of Magrabi Hospital, Rico Carlos, president of TIWRC and Lyn Castillo, head of True One, organized this blood donation program as their contribution to the community. The said organizations are planning to do this activity yearly, as a way of giving back to the country,which they considered as their second home. "We have made this a yearly event as part of the advocacy of our organization. It is also our means of saying thank you to Saudi Arabia," Parfan emphasized during the event. With an ever-increasing demand on blood supplies worldwide, there is an immense need to ensure a safe and sufficient supply of blood products. It is therefore appropriate to gather individuals who are willing and committed to donate blood voluntarily. "As a member of a genuine brotherhood/sisterhood, it is our honor to be part of this meaningful event. Not only do we help those who are in need, but we benefit from it as well," Carlos said as he formally opened the activity. Most people donate blood because they want to help others. It is certainly an altruistic act, but it is also one that offers important yet little-discussed benefits. According to studies published in American Journal of Epidemiology, blood donors are 88% less likely to suffer heart attack and 33% less likely to suffer any type of cardiovascular event. In addition, blood donation is effective in reducing blood pressure, iron-overload, and blood glucose. Ms. Castillo's group, True One, is a neophyte on this scenario. But they have pledged to continue for the next coming years and even invite more participants. "This is our first time to join Magrabi Hospital and TIWRC in a blood donation project. It feels so good to be able to help others. We are already planning for the next blood donation and we'll definitely double the number of participants today," she said. Parfan also added that this blood donation campaign is in-part a contribution to the preparation of Haj. "As we all know, many pilgrims are coming during Haj season. This is just a way of gearing up for the possible increased number of patients during the holiday." Blood is considered as the most essential body fluid in humans, since it delivers oxygen and nutrients to the body. Some of us are in need of blood due to some underlying conditions, while others are capable of giving an extra bag of their blood. Blood donors and recipients have a give and take relationship. But if you see it clearly, both are in a win-win situation. In this world where we live, we need to coexist in order to survive.
