Far Eastern University (FEU) Red Cross Youth Council (FEU-RCYC) Blood Services Committee (BSC) encouraged bloodletting and totaled 89 blood bag donations from FEU students and faculties in the Madugong Paligsahan held at the Nursing Building Room 101 last December 1.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, BSC Head Kate Nathalie May Asis shared the goals of the organization in conducting the bloodletting program.

“May humihingi, ‘yung mga hospitals or … mismo may mga tao ta’s sila ‘yung nag-aask sa mismong National Blood Center natin if when they need blood when it’s urgent (Hospitals or specific persons ask our National Blood Center when they need blood when it’s urgent),” she added.

Moreover, the donations will be directly given to the National Blood Center of Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

The organization reached their target number of around 100 to 150 participants gathering 111 registered Tamaraws. 

However, the PRC’s requirements disqualified some from donating blood such as iron deficiency.

Asis also stressed the importance of not only donating blood but also informing the FEU community to gather blood advocates.

“Without blood, it’s really hard to circulate our own blood without any additional ones so giving blood, that is the advocacy of the FEU-RCYC BSC,” she explained.

The event invited the PRC to execute the donor examination and blood collection process themselves.

RCYC chapters in different universities also hold Madugong Paligsahan within the academic year to collect the most blood donations possible for hospital and emergency uses.

BSC is set to hold another bloodletting event ‘Bledge 25’ expected in April 2024.

- Mark Vincent A. Durano

(Photo by Euxim Valonzo-Garcia/FEU Advocate)