KAWIT, Cavite – The Mana Town Center in Kawit, Cavite, was abuzz with activity as droves of Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) members gathered to donate much-needed blood.
Hundreds of INC members from Bacoor, Noveleta, Cavite City, Kawit, General Trias, Tanza, Naic, and Ternate participated in this life-saving event.
Allen Aledo of the Kawit Congregation was the first to donate blood. “I am here today to donate, to help our fellow Filipinos, not just our brethren in the Church. Blood donation is good for the human body, especially for those who regularly donate, like me,” he said.
Giovanni Maganda, a Minister of the Gospel, expressed the collective enthusiasm of the blood donors. “The blood donation activity that we have done, that many of our brothers and sisters have participated in, makes all of us in this district very happy. They are very happy because they have helped our fellowmen, especially those who need blood,” he said.
Mana Mall was already bustling with activity even before it opened its doors, as INC members registered for the event and underwent medical screening.
Joshua de Luna, a medical technologist and the donor recruiting officer of Jose B. Lingad Hospital, explained how the blood donation programs conducted in different places are of “great help”.
“This is very important to patients, especially those with diabetes, those undergoing operations, or those who have had accidents. We screen the donor’s blood, collect it, store it in a cooler, and transport it to the hospital. We also test the blood for HIV, malaria, hepatitis, and syphilis. Once tested, the blood is ready to be dispensed,” he said.
The activity was facilitated by the Christian Medical, Dental, and Paramedical Society (CMDPS) in partnership with the Jose B. Lingad Hospital, a tertiary regional hospital.
Brother Claro C. Failano, the Assistant District Supervising Minister in the INC District of Cavite, expressed his gratitude for the activity.
“What we are doing in this activity is a blood donation organized by the Church. Brethren in the District of Cavite are very happy because they believe we were able to help many, even those who are not members of the Church. Many people are in need of a project like this,” he stressed.
A thousand blood bags were collected that day, with similar activities held in other areas of Metro Manila and Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
