The UP Open University, led by the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) together with the Wellness and Healthy Lifestyle Committee (WHLC) and the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration (OVCFA), held this year’s blood donation drive on 18 April 2024 at the UPOU Academic Residences, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna.
Prospective blood donors arrived early at the venue and were guided through the registration and screening process. Rigorous checks were conducted by the Red Cross Team to ensure donors met the necessary requirements before proceeding with their donations. Among other criteria, participants underwent screening to ensure they weighed at least 50 kg; had adequate rest/sleep the night before; were generally in good health condition; had not received new piercings or tattoos within the past 12 months; had not taken any medication; and had not recently traveled to countries with elevated health risks.
Among the 102 volunteers who registered, 83 were able to successfully donate blood. A number of the participants were first-time donors.
A first-time donor shared her experience, expressing , “At first I was nervous because this is my first time donating blood. It has been my dream to help those who need it and it is included in my bucket list. Now, finally, I have checked it from my list. Also, the staff were so accommodating… they assisted me very well throughout the whole process.” The blood donation team made sure that the venue was comfortable for the participants and that transportation was available to those who needed to be shuttled to and from the event venue. Appropriate food and drinks were also served.
Despite their eagerness, some individuals were unable to proceed with donations due to factors such as anemia, recent tattoos, insufficient sleep, and recent travel to high-risk countries. Notwithstanding this setback, many expressed their determination to participate in future blood donation drives, demonstrating a commendable commitment to support the cause.
Written by Joy Abigail C. Rebulanan ♦ Edited by Emely M. Amoloza ♦ Contributed by the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies
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