Red Cross’ blood donors, oustanding partners

THE Philippine Red Cross has recognized the significant contribution of 1,876 blood donors and partner organizations who have been supporting the PRC for the past years during its blood donors’ recognition ceremony on Friday.

A total of 14 award categories were awarded, which include the “Outstanding Blood Services Partner of the Year for 2016,”, which is given out for highly distinguished service in the promotion of PRC’s voluntary blood donation for more than 10 years.

This year, seven outstanding partners received the recognition--Technological Institute of the Philippines ( TIP), Landbank of the Philippines, Sunlife of Canada, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Bombo Radyo, Elizabeth Seton School and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Individual blood donors who have donated blood a minimum of 8 times to up to 50, 75 and 100 times were awarded with the Blood Galloners, Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals, respectively.

While the national blood requirement of the country is 1 percent of its total population, the country’s need for blood is about 1 million units.

In 2015, the PRC provided a total of 380,994 units of blood, representing 50 percent of the total national collection of 750,000 units from all blood collecting agencies in the country.

In addition, it also served 206,645 patients last year.

To support indigent patients, the PRC has a Blood Samaritan Program that seeks financial donations from different individuals and groups to cover the blood processing fees of legitimate indigent patients.