To instill unto the youth their role in the community through blood donation, Palawan State University Red Cross Youth Council spearheaded the “Pledge 25: Mass Blood Donation” in PSU Main Campus Instructional Media Center and collected 85 blood bags last October 30, Wednesday.
The mass blood donation focused on the youth 18 to 25 years old since the age range is ideal for the collection of “quality and healthy blood.”
“Pledge 25, ang target niya is ‘yung kabataan from 18 to 25 years old… kasi ‘yung 18 to 25, ‘yun ‘yung doon ka makakakuha ng quality [at] healthy na blood kasi habang tumatanda ‘yung tao nagiging unhealthy ‘yung cells,” said Kenny Rojohn V. Daffon, 5th year BS in Petroleum Engineering student volunteer of PSU RCY Council in an exclusive Palawan Daily News interview.
The council also aimed to promote the advocacy of inculcating the role of the youth in the community as well as raising awareness about the need of donating blood for people in need.
“Ang Pledge 25 ginawa siya para specifically para sa kabataan talaga para hindi lang makakuha ng dugo from the youth pero at the same time ma-promote natin ‘yung advocacy na ‘Ah youth ako, so I have what it takes to bring change to the community or may role ako para tulungan ‘yung mga nangangailangan.’ It’s our way of making people aware na maraming nangangailangan ng dugo and malaki ang papel ng kabataan para matulungan ang mga nangangailangan,” Daffon added.
The organizers further told that most of the donors during the past bloodletting drives were students so they invited the faculty and staff of the university to participate in the activity.
On the other hand, the donors were satisfied for they have rendered a small but significant favor to their community.
“Honestly, I donated mostly out of curiosity but I realized as I lined up for the process that it was also one of the small ways I could help out in my community. It was a fulfilling experience and I’d definitely donate again in 3 months or so,” said Krescil Janie Talian, first year BS in Psychology.
Donors have to undergo a comprehensive assessment before being able to donate blood. Donors had their weight and blood pressure checked for they need to weigh at least 50 kg and have normal blood pressure.
The donors were also interviewed by the volunteers for further examination on their medical well-being which was verified by a medical doctor.
After the collection of the donated blood, samples were sent to laboratories in Manila to test for presence of diseases like HIV/AIDS.
The event was made possible through the support of Palawan State University, PSU University Student Government, and the Philippine Red Cross Palawan Chapter.