The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in Iloilo is calling on residents to step up their participation in blood donation drives to maintain a steady blood supply across the province. This appeal comes after a noticeable decrease in mobile blood donation activities during January, attributed to holiday festivities.
Dr. Carlo Carado, the manager of the Western Visayas Regional Blood Center under the PRC Iloilo Chapter, highlighted the importance of these drives. He noted that despite the seasonal dip, the PRC continues to supply blood to 26 hospitals in Iloilo through their mobile donation efforts.
In addition to mobile drives, the PRC welcomes walk-in donors at their facilities. Carado mentioned that while they do not have a fixed monthly target for blood units due to fluctuating patient needs, their annual goal is to collect over 25,000 units to adequately serve the province. In 2024, they successfully collected 31,000 units, thanks to their dedicated partners.
The demand for blood primarily comes from hospitals, particularly for obstetrics and surgical patients, with daily requests being a norm. The PRC also extends its blood supply to other chapters beyond Iloilo.
Potential donors are encouraged to participate in mobile blood donation events or visit the PRC office directly. Eligible donors must be aged between 18 and 60, in good health, well-rested, and not currently ill.
Furthermore, the PRC encourages groups to organize at least two mobile blood donation activities annually. Interested parties can coordinate with PRC donor recruitment officers or reach out via email at [email protected] to schedule their events.