The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and Ayala Corp.’s Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH) on July 25 signed a memorandum of agreement to make blood supply affordable and accessible to cancer patients.
Under the agreement, PRC will deliver blood to HCCH weekly or as necessary during emergencies. Moreover, the hospital will support PRC in blood donation activities.
Signing the agreement were PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon, PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang, AC Health Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, and AC Health Vice Chairman Cezar Consing.
“We’re still responding to those affected by the typhoon (Carina), but I came here because this partnership is very special to me. Ayala has been our partner for many years, especially during our fight against the pandemic. PRC and Healthway Cancer Care Hospital share the same mission and that is to alleviate the suffering of people,” said Gordon.
Pang added, “With PRC’s 108 blood service facilities, 32 blood centers, 76 blood collecting stations, and 15 apheresis centers, the partnership will be well supported. This is a crucial step in our fight against cancer. I’m confident that this partnership will have a positive impact on cancer care and I hope this will inspire more collaborations and partnerships for better health care for Filipinos.”
Consing said, “When they mentioned this partnership to me, I remember when two people close to me were in dire need of blood during COVID. In desperation, I called Chairman Gordon and told him our blood needs. Within two hours, blood was delivered. Hence, I think of no better partner than the PRC.”
De Ayala pointed out that “Ayala Corporation has always believed in the power of collaboration to drive positive change. PRC’s collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in our journey as the first comprehensive cancer care hospital in the Philippines.”
As one of the country’s major blood suppliers, PRC collected a total of 538,666 units of blood in 2023. This year, PRC’s target is to supply 70 percent of the country’s demand for blood.
Since April, PRC has been partnering with various hospitals, starting with Cardinal Santos and St. Luke’s, to ensure adequate blood supply for vulnerable patients.