News feature: Save lives, donate blood

By Lilibeth A. French

Tuesday 19th of June 2012

ILOILO CITY, June 19 (PIA6) -- Will it hurt? Can I do it?

These questions crossed the mind of twenty-year old Hanna Chrissane Montano when she thought of donating blood like her dad, Christopher Montano, did. The elder Montano is board director of the Philippine Red Cross-Iloilo Chapter.

To find out, she decided finally to donate blood herself.

With her Dad’s consent, Hanna gave her first bag of blood at the age of sixteen when, together with some of her classmates at Assumption-Iloilo, she participated in a blood-letting activity conducted by her school.

“I remember clearly that a few hours later, a bruise appeared on my arm where the needle was inserted. Never did I complain, never did I feel sad that it was there; rather it served as a reminder that for the first time in my 16 years of existence I saved a life,” related Hanna when she gave her response as a volunteer donor during a program held in line with the World Blood Donor’s Day here in Iloilo City on June 14.

Hannah, who now a member of the Blood Galloners Club, shared stories on how her family needed blood transfusions when her baby sister who was born a year ago had to have blood transfusion 8 times before being allowed to leave the hospital. A classmate, too, needed 3 bags while undergoing treatment for kidney disease.

“I am sharing these stories to make you aware that without you, our blood donors, the Red Cross blood bank will be of no help to people in need. We need you, our blood donors, our heroes,” said Hannah as she expressed her gratitude to Red Cross, the people who were brave and generous enough to extend the life of her sister.

Paying tribute and thanking all blood donors who have given a part of themselves voluntarily is one of the goals of the World Blood Donor’s Day celebration, according to Iloilo Provincial Blood Coordinator Dr. Robert Ponje.

According to Ponje voluntary blood donors are those who are unpaid and were not forced to donate blood but instead motivated with their desire to help others who are in need of blood.

Voluntary unpaid donors are the foundation of safe blood supply for they are the least likely to transmit potentially life threatening infections such as HIV and hepatitis viruses to their blood recipients.

Ponje said WBDD seeks more donors in Iloilo to ensure the availability of safe blood. The city and province of Iloilo need at least 25,000 units of blood annually.

He added that there is a need to sustain the voluntary blood donation program, especially now that dengue cases are increasing.

Ponje also pointed out that it will only take at least 30 minutes to donate blood, but can mean a lifetime to children who need blood transfusion.

“As we celebrate World Blood Donor’s Day, we spread the good news that we thank the blood donors for giving blood voluntarily, we want to recruit more, we want to help more and we want to save more lives,” said Ponje.

Theme of this year’s celebration is “Every Blood Donor is a Hero.” (JCM/LAF/PIA6)