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'A heartbeat that can save lives': Philippine Red Cross emphasizes importance of personal connection
'A heartbeat that can save lives': Philippine Red Cross emphasizes importance of personal connection
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) highlighted the importance of having connections and relationships that serve as a “heartbeat” of its organization.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 13, the PRC joined forces with the American Red Cross (AmCross) for a two-day training session in Pasay City titled "Effective Fundraising Course."
PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang, a former Fundraising Director of the PRC, shared her expertise with the participants.
She came down on the importance of fundraising, discussing the challenges and rewards, and the core principles that guide the Red Cross Movement
“This learning session is very close to my heart because as the former Fundraising Director of the PRC, I handled some of the biggest fundraising events in the history of the PRC,” she said.
“Fundraising starts with friend-raising; it’s the heartbeat of our organization,” Pang added.
She noted that in order to equip volunteers and staff with the tools to build strong relationships with donors, “connection” is the very pulse of the organization to remain "the foremost humanitarian organization in the Philippines."
Fundraising, she added, allows them to extend a helping hand to as many people as possible, whether during a disaster or supporting everyday health initiatives.
She also explored the challenges they face and the unique strengths of the Red Cross Movement that highlighted the importance of their government partnership through the Philippine Red Cross Act of 2009.
"This act allows us to have the resources and authority to truly fulfill our mission," Pang explained.
Moreover, joining Pang in stressing the importance of connection was AmCross Vice President of Biomedical Sponsor Recruitment Diane Naczi.
"Fundraising is like marketing and communication," she said. "It's about connecting with people; fundraisers must be confident and consistent at all times for they represent the entirety of the organization they are with,” — they represent the heart of their organization.
Naczi also underscored the power of collaboration within the Red Cross network by saying that when working together as part of "One Red Cross", the organization can achieve much more.