Red Cross reiterates access to blood remains free for all
DUGOYANIHAN ON PRC 75TH ANNIVERSARY. The Philippine Red Cross Baguio City Chapter invites the public to “Dugoyanihan”, a big blood donation activity that will run until 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Melvin Jones Grandstand. The activity is part of the simultaneous nationwide anniversary celebration of the PRC’s 75th year of humanitarian services. Photo by: Mario Oclaman //FNS
BAGUIO CITY – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has once again emphasized that access to blood is free and that the institution only collects an amount to cover the processing costs needed to ensure the high quality and safety of the blood for the recipient.
The PRC’s message is aimed at dispelling any misconceptions among the public that they need to pay in order to access life-saving blood.
“The Department of Health mandates that we collect processing fee to ensure the quality and safety of the blood to be given to the recipient, and available in times of emergency,” PRC Baguio administrator Jennelyn M. Terre said during a press briefing on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
The message is also particularly important as the PRC continues to address the challenge of increasing blood donations and retention of donors, especially during difficult times, in order to ensure a sufficient supply of blood products for those in need.
“That is our struggle—how we can retain volunteers because there is no manufacturer of blood. Blood only comes from donors,” Terre said.
The PRC will hold nationwide simultaneous celebrations for its 75th anniversary on Saturday, April 15th.
The Baguio Chapter will also be hosting a significant event at the Melvin Jones Grandstand, which will include a showcase of its diverse range of services.
In addition to its regular bloodletting activities, the PRC will highlight all the different services of the Red Cross, and its local and international humanitarian efforts, particularly during disasters and calamities.
“It will be a very special and memorable anniversary celebration this year, all partners, stakeholders contributing to the operations of the Red Cross Baguio Chapter…we will be having the different volunteer organizations and civic organizations cooperating with us,” PRC Chairman of the Board Baguio Chapter Carlos Canilao said.
The youth will be playing a big role in the celebration, as well as the Move Samaritan group of Saint Louis University Batch 87.
City Councilor and PRC Baguio Chapter Board Chairman for Volunteer Services Levy Lloyd B. Orcales have announced that the youth are currently spearheading bloodletting programs every quarter, which they had been doing for four years now.
“We are promoting volunteer acts of the youth through the quarterly bloodletting, so we are encouraging more of our Baguio citizens to be part of our program for volunteerism and youth programs,” Orcales said.
The PRC is constantly encouraging the youth to become members or volunteers of the Red Cross, providing them with training in first aid, basic life support, and other programs and activities that can mobilize them for the community in times of disaster or emergency.
“We will teach them [the youth] and sustain them as volunteers so that when we need manpower, they are there for the Red Cross and the community because they have been trained,” Terre said.
The Move Samaritan Batch 87, represented by Stephen Atos, announced that all their activities and community work, including blood donations, are provided as a public service and are completely free of charge.
“We give these as our public support to the community. It is payback time for us, to help our own city, our own people…there is nothing more fulfilling than giving blood to save lives,” Atos said.
By promoting volunteerism and fostering a culture of empathy and solidarity, the PRC inspires individuals and communities to work together toward building a more resilient and compassionate nation.
As one of the country’s most prominent humanitarian institutions, the PRC has played a critical role in responding to the needs of communities affected by natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other crises.
The organization’s unwavering commitment to humanitarianism is reflected in its non-partisan approach to serving all members of society equally and impartially, with medical necessity as its only priority.
“The medical priorities should prevail, that’s the basic principle of the Red Cross, ever since,” Canilao said.
As it celebrates its 75th anniversary, the PRC remains steadfast in its mission to alleviate human suffering and promote human dignity.
BLOOD SERVICES PROCESSING FEE
According to the PRC Baguio Chapter, the following fees apply for every 450cc of blood:
- Php 1,800.00 (Whole)
- Php 1,500.00 (Packed RBC)
- Php 1,000.00 (Platelet component – platelet concentrate, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate) ### Merriam del Rosario // FNS
