By Perla Lena/PNA
ILOILO CITY — Eight universities in Iloilo province accepted the challenge to donate blood as part of the second “Dinagyang Blood Olympics” organized by the Iloilo chapter of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
PRC-Iloilo service representative Joji Marmolejo, in an interview Friday, said December and January are crucial months because only few donate blood but the demand is huge.
“To fill in the gap, we opted that even in January, we will encourage our youth to donate so that in case of emergency, we can still cater to their needs,” Marmolejo said.
She expressed hope that they could raise 100 bags from each of the participating schools — St. Therese-MTC, University of San Agustin, Central Philippine University, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Molo and Arevalo campuses, University of Iloilo, Iloilo Science and Technology University, and West Visayas State University.
“There will be eight universities helping Red Cross to bridge the gap,” she said, adding that there will be a separate schedule for each school.
Last year’s “Blood Olympics” generated about 300 bags for PRC. Marmolejo said that they are trying to increase the collection as she urged other schools to also join the bloodletting.
Apart from the “Blood Olympics”, PRC has also institutionalized its medical mission and food aid program for public elementary schools in the city, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo and the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc.
“On the ninth year of our Dinagyang food aid program, our goal is to reach all public schools. We choose them based on the recommendation of the Department of Education, as well as the Dinagyang Foundation,” she said.
This year, seven schools were chosen as recipients, including the elementary schools of Don Esteban – Calumpang, I. Arroyo, Bo. Obrero, MV Hechanova, Bito-on, and Balabago.
For the medical mission, they chose San Isidro in La Paz and San Isidro, Jaro.
“These are areas where Ilonggos are not well-privileged to have access to the medical services of the government,” she said.
