VM Dodot leads mass bloodletting drive in Pasig
Published Mar 11, 2023 07:35 am
In support of his initiative to improve healthcare services to citizens, Pasig City Vice Mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr. led a mass bloodletting drive on Saturday, March 11, at the San Nicolas Covered Court, in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
The initiative aimed to provide an opportunity for interested individuals to donate blood, which would increase blood supplies for beneficiaries in and out of Pasig City.
Gracing the event were Jaworski’s wife, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, and PRC Rizal Chapter Board of Director Lisa Guanio.
(OVM Pasig Media / MANILA BULLETIN)
More than a mere activity, Jaworski shared that the bloodletting program is a “deeply personal” advocacy due to the conditions of his father, former Senator Sonny Jaworski. “Noong nangailangan siya ng dugo, ang sabi sa amin hindi puwedeng mag-donate kapag hindi pamilya. Andaming screening, pero hindi ako nakapasa (When he needed blood, we were told that non-family members cannot donate. I went through many screenings, but I did not pass them),” Jaworski said. “Kaya natin ginawa ang unang mass bloodletting sa Pasig kasama ang Red Cross, dahil ang ibinibigay natin sa araw na ito ay literal na buhay. Iyong donasyon natin sa umagang ito, pinapahaba ang buhay hindi lang ng Pasigueño, kundi ng kapwa Pilipino sa buong Pilipinas (We are doing the first mass bloodletting in Pasig with the Red Cross because we are giving life through our donation. We can help prolong the lives of not just Pasigueños, but our fellow Filipinos in the country),” he stressed. The blood donation was held at the covered court from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to the Office of the Vice Mayor (OVM), around 500 blood donors, including residents from across the city and members of government institutions like the local police, came in support of the program. To thank the supporters of the event, participants of the donation drive received food packs from the OVM and other contributors. Packs containing canned goods and five kilos of rice were given to individuals whose blood donations were successful. Home appliances, provided by the event’s partners, were also gifted to donors through a random draw or raffle. Meanwhile, those who came to donate blood but did not pass the screening each still went home with three kilos of rice.
(OVM Pasig Media / MANILA BULLETIN)
Aside from the PRC, this Saturday’s program was also made possible through the cooperation of local groups, partners, and allies who share the same public service-oriented vision for the benefit of Pasigueños. “Tumutulong tayo sa mga nangangailangan ng dugo, at ang ating opisina naman ay susuklian iyon ng kaunting ayuda. Iyon ang kultura na gusto nating palawakin at palalimin sa gobyerno (We help those who need blood, and our office exchanges that service by giving aid or assistance. This is the kind of culture that we wish to practice and instill in the government), Jaworski said. As such, the vice mayor announced that his office is planning to lead three more mass bloodletting events within the year. He called on the public’s continued support for the Pasig local government and the PRC’s bloodletting initiatives and other health programs. PRC Director Guanio said that citywide bloodletting drives are important, citing the difficulties they experienced in meeting the high demands of blood transfusions, but having low blood supplies amid the pandemic. She assured that the organization is committed to helping local governments reach the public and promote blood donations.
(OVM Pasig Media / MANILA BULLETIN)
More than a mere activity, Jaworski shared that the bloodletting program is a “deeply personal” advocacy due to the conditions of his father, former Senator Sonny Jaworski. “Noong nangailangan siya ng dugo, ang sabi sa amin hindi puwedeng mag-donate kapag hindi pamilya. Andaming screening, pero hindi ako nakapasa (When he needed blood, we were told that non-family members cannot donate. I went through many screenings, but I did not pass them),” Jaworski said. “Kaya natin ginawa ang unang mass bloodletting sa Pasig kasama ang Red Cross, dahil ang ibinibigay natin sa araw na ito ay literal na buhay. Iyong donasyon natin sa umagang ito, pinapahaba ang buhay hindi lang ng Pasigueño, kundi ng kapwa Pilipino sa buong Pilipinas (We are doing the first mass bloodletting in Pasig with the Red Cross because we are giving life through our donation. We can help prolong the lives of not just Pasigueños, but our fellow Filipinos in the country),” he stressed. The blood donation was held at the covered court from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to the Office of the Vice Mayor (OVM), around 500 blood donors, including residents from across the city and members of government institutions like the local police, came in support of the program. To thank the supporters of the event, participants of the donation drive received food packs from the OVM and other contributors. Packs containing canned goods and five kilos of rice were given to individuals whose blood donations were successful. Home appliances, provided by the event’s partners, were also gifted to donors through a random draw or raffle. Meanwhile, those who came to donate blood but did not pass the screening each still went home with three kilos of rice.
(OVM Pasig Media / MANILA BULLETIN)
Aside from the PRC, this Saturday’s program was also made possible through the cooperation of local groups, partners, and allies who share the same public service-oriented vision for the benefit of Pasigueños. “Tumutulong tayo sa mga nangangailangan ng dugo, at ang ating opisina naman ay susuklian iyon ng kaunting ayuda. Iyon ang kultura na gusto nating palawakin at palalimin sa gobyerno (We help those who need blood, and our office exchanges that service by giving aid or assistance. This is the kind of culture that we wish to practice and instill in the government), Jaworski said. As such, the vice mayor announced that his office is planning to lead three more mass bloodletting events within the year. He called on the public’s continued support for the Pasig local government and the PRC’s bloodletting initiatives and other health programs. PRC Director Guanio said that citywide bloodletting drives are important, citing the difficulties they experienced in meeting the high demands of blood transfusions, but having low blood supplies amid the pandemic. She assured that the organization is committed to helping local governments reach the public and promote blood donations.