Tabuk City, Kalinga – The provincial government of Kalinga invites those eligible to donate blood to experience saving someone’s life firsthand by participating in the "LUMIN-AWA Blood Donation Drive" on Monday, February 20 at the Kalinga Astrodome, Capitol Hills, Bulanao, Tabuk City.
Studies show that a single donation can save up to three lives of those battling cancer, accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and many others needing blood supply. Plus, giving blood improves the donors’ emotional, physical, and overall health.
Governor James Edduba and the whole of Kalinga local government unit are encouraging the community to be someone’s superhero through said bloodletting conduct, in line with the province’s 28th founding anniversary celebration and 4th Bodong Festival.
Likewise, the program will mark the 16th anniversary of Edduba’s blood donation drive. The now governor started to prioritize Voluntary Blood Donation program in 2008 when he was yet the municipal mayor of Pasil. The town then became the second LGU, next to Balbalan, to conduct blood donations in the province.
The lack of blood supply when dengue cases hit the locality back then prompted him to promote such drive. As he recalled, his young relatives were among those who suffered serious illnesses brought about by dengue.
“I prayed to God, kunak ‘if You spare the child, I promise to dedicate my life to do something so that these things will not happen again.’ And nagsurvive diay ubing. So we started in Pasil, we did what Balbalan was doing there. With the help of Dr. [Aldrin] Siwao, we were able to have blood donation drives in Pasil. Inggana idi intultuloy piman ni Mayor [Alfredo] Chao-ig [Malannag Jr.],” Edduba relayed in his interview with Station 1 Radio.
Pasil LGU has since then been doing medical missions in all barangays, thus the creation of “Blood Olympics.” Blood donations in town yielded impressive results such that Pasil was able to achieve National Sandugo National Awards at least two times.
In every birthday celebration of Edduba, he continued holding the same program even when he was not in any government positions.
"LUMIN-AWA Blood Donation Drive"
Now on his 58th birthday, he is joined by other provincial heads in getting the community involved in what is dubbed as "LUMIN-AWA Blood Donation Drive."
Interested blood donors may proceed at the venue and will be evaluated by the medical teams if they are qualified to donate, says Provincial Blood Program Coordinator Ferdinan Adora Nonog to Station 1 Radio.
Prospect blood donors must be well-rested and healthy, with enough hemoglobin count to proceed with the donation.
Donors will be provided with T-shirts, meals, and snacks. They may also join the potluck in the afternoon, in celebration of the governor’s birthday.
Donated blood, the coordinator said, will be taken by the tapped collecting unit to their Red Cross center for processing.
“Ibabalik din nila yung 100% collected blood for the [people in the] province of Kalinga. Wala na tayong babayaran if they needed the blood. Di ba dati gamin nu agala da ti blood idiay Red Cross, agbayad da ti P1,800 ngayon, ifi-free of charge nila yun [until maubos yung blood stock],” he added.
The program is a joint endeavor of the Kalinga PLGU, Department of Health, Occupational Health and Safety Center, Kalinga Provincial Hospital, Kalinga District Hospitals, PRC, CHO, and uniformed personnel, among others.
LISTEN TO STATION 1 RADIO: CLICK ME
.png)
Comments