The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Friday, Jan. 19 said it opened its first-ever blood center in Bukidnon to make it easier for residents to obtain the blood they need.
The organization inaugurated the new center last Jan. 8, which has four state-of-the-art blood refrigeration units that can "hold up to 500 bags of different types of blood."
The center also has machines for blood testing and laboratory equipment capable of processing different blood components, such as red blood cells, plasma, and platelets.
PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon pointed out that the organization aims to provide a "safe and high-quality blood supply" for every Filipino.
With that, establishing this facility means that the people of Bukidnon will no longer have to travel to our blood banks in Cagayan De Oro City, Davao City, or Iligan City, which are hundreds of miles away to get other blood components.
PRC shared that before, the Bukidnon Chapter's blood collecting unit could only collect, store, and dispense whole blood. However, now it is an "upgraded" station.
It added that transfusion-transmissible infections were only conducted in the PRC Misamis Oriental-Cagayan De Oro Chapter.
The facility worth over P4 million received support from the Rotary Club of Metro Valencia, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and Local Government Units (LGU) of Cabanglasan, Lantapan, Maramag, Don Carlos, Quezon, and Kalilangan.
PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang thanked the Bukidnon Chapter's Board of Directors, led by BOD Chairman Roderico Bioco, and the individuals, agencies, and organizations who supported the initiative.
"Through the many people who believe in the service of the Philippine Red Cross, we can now provide immediate blood assistance 24 hours to dengue patients in Bukidnon and those involved in accidents and other serious illnesses," she said.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Atty. Marlowe Selecios of the Rotary Club and EVP Benjie Belaniso of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Together with Rep. Laarni Lavin Roque of the 4th District of Bukidnon was also present and pledged to support the expansion of the blood center.
The PRC shared it now has blood banks in Davao City, Cotabato City-Maguindanao, Iligan City, Misamis Oriental-Cagayan De Oro, General Santos City, South Cotabato, and Zamboanga.
For blood donations, blood requests, and other inquiries, the PRC said to email the National Blood Services at [email protected] or contact the PRC Blood Call Center by dialing 143.