On September 28, 2023, at 9:00 AM, the WLC College Supreme Student Council (CSSC) collaborated with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Ormoc Chapter to host a Blood Drive; “Dugo Mo, Buhay KoMagbigay, Magsalba ng Buhay!”, held at the WLC Gymnasium. This is the highlight of one of the CSSC’s school to community wide projects this School Year 2023-2024. It was lead by respective members of the PRC, with assistance of our CSSC and Philippine Student Nurses Association (PNSA) Ormoc Chapter volunteers.
The blood drive was not only exclusive to students and faculty of the school, but also to outsiders who wanted to contribute. Each donor was interviewed if they pass the health qualifications to participate. For instance, women are allowed to donate fourteen days after their menstruation and in general for both sex, should not have consumed any alcoholic drink or smoking cigarettes, the day before, and with at least eight hours of proper sleep. The PRC encourages students to donate, because not only that it replenishes their blood, but also it gives a big impact as they are given the chance to save up to three people with one blood bag. Other benefits include improvement in heart health, as it reduces the thickness of blood and allows it to circulate faster through the body, and may reduce the risk of cancer.
Blood donors have an 88% reduced risk of having a heart attack, according to a study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. According to another study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, giving blood may cause patients to have less iron in their bodies, which decreases the risk of developing cancer. Blood donation can cause light-headedness, nausea, arm -pain, numbness, and tingling, which is normal and lasts only a few minutes. This is due to the sudden drop of heart rate and blood pressure, known as a “Vasovagal Reaction”. This event does not only bring our school together, but our community as well. Moreover, it provides positive effects on our body and creates an opportunity to live on for people in hospitals who need immediate blood transfusion.
“Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.” (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). Over forty people participated in the blood drive, which is more than the number of individuals the PRC expected. The CSSC were present the entire event, as usherettes, which kept any incident from taking place. It was a success as it ended early at 1:00 PM, due to the PRC running out of blood bags.
By: Nina Jane Boholst, BSCS 2
