The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) announced on Monday, Feb. 3, that with its newly acquired bloodmobile truck, the capacity for blood collection at its Quezon City chapter will be significantly increased.

In a statement, PRC said it acquired the brand-new bloodmobile truck from Foton Motors Philippines Inc., which will help enhance the PRC QC Chapter’s ability to collect blood and assist more vulnerable people in need of blood transfusions to survive.

“The Red Cross has a robust blood supply,” said PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dick Gordon.

Gordon noted that the donation aligns with the PRC’s intensified blood donation campaign.

“The PRC’s new bloodmobile truck will enable our citizens to participate in this noble cause of donating blood easily and conveniently, without having to go personally to blood donation sites,” Gordon said.

“When the PRC bloodmobile rolls, hope rolls,” he added.

In addition to the donated bloodmobile truck from Foton, PRC also received a blood laboratory from SM Foundation Inc., an outboard motor for a plastic boat from PRC QC Chapter Director Johnny Yu, and 15 sets of firefighter suits courtesy of the PRC Board of Directors.

Foton Philippines President Rommel Sytin led the handover ceremony, along with Foton department heads.

The ceremony included the blessing of the newly donated assets, a tour, and a demonstration of the bloodmobile truck.

Meanwhile, PRC Secretary-General Gwen Pang emphasized the capacity of the PRC as the country’s major blood supplier.

“PRC has 102 chapters, 108 blood service facilities, 32 blood centers, 76 blood collecting stations, and 15 apheresis centers across the nation,” Pang said. “We assure the public that no one will be denied blood,” she added.

Last year, the PRC collected 588,575 blood units, dispensed 608,484 blood bags, and served 301,852 patients.