By Mariela Angella Oladive
ILOILO CITY – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Iloilo Chapter is calling on the public and partner organizations to organize more blood donation drives to address a slow start in mobile blood collection this year.
Dr. Carlo Carado, manager of the PRC Iloilo Chapter Western Visayas Regional Blood Center, said the number of blood donations in January was lower than expected due to pending budget approvals and ongoing festivities.
“As of now, we are still supplying the 26 hospitals here in the province with the mobile blood donation activities that we had during the January period,” he said during an interview on Wednesday, January 29.
He emphasized the need for more mobile blood donation drives and encouraged walk-in donors to visit their office.
“But come February, our mobile blood donation activities usually increase, allowing our blood stock to gradually replenish,” Carado added.
BLOOD SUPPLY AND GOALS
The Iloilo chapter does not have a fixed monthly target as demand varies. However, the annual goal is to collect at least 25,000 blood units to maintain an adequate supply.
In 2024, the PRC Iloilo Chapter exceeded its target by collecting 31,000 blood units, thanks to the support of partner organizations. Most requests for blood came from hospitals, particularly for obstetric and surgical patients.
“Mostly, the bulk of our requests are from hospitals, our OB (obstetrics) patients, and surgical patients. Every day, we receive requests from them,” Carado explained.
The chapter also supplies blood to other PRC chapters as needed.
HOW TO DONATE
Eligible donors aged 18 to 60 years old, in good health, and well-rested may donate blood at mobile drives or by visiting the PRC Iloilo office.
Organizations are encouraged to conduct at least two mobile blood donation drives annually. They can coordinate with PRC donor recruitment officers or email wvrdc@redcross.org.ph to schedule their activities.
With demand for blood consistently high, the PRC Iloilo Chapter hopes to see a surge in donations in the coming months to ensure a sufficient supply for the 26 hospitals it serves.
