Sixty-eight volunteers from AP Renewables Inc. and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) of Laguna and Albay came together to implement the bloodletting activity last February 14. Just in time for Valentines’ Day, APRI employees were able to collect 47 bags of blood, which is expected to benefit 141 patients.
“The activity aims to save lives. With the tagline of “Give Love, Give Blood,” donating blood is a great opportunity to give back to our community while also promoting the overall health of the donor. One bag of blood can save three lives,” said Vernajoy Navarez, APRI Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Supervisor – Occupational Health and Safety.
Carlo B. Villanueva, Red Cross Albay Volunteer, also emphasized that “Blood donation drives organized by partners of the Philippine Red Cross are important for both donors and patients. For donors, it’s an opportunity to contribute to the community’s well-being, potentially saving lives with their donation. It also promotes a sense of fulfillment. Several studies suggest that regular blood donation has several benefits to donors by improving their overall cardiovascular health, enhancing blood circulation and reducing the risk of cancer.”
“For patients, blood donations are essential for various medical procedures including surgeries, treatment of cancer, anemia and other conditions without steady supply of donated blood, many medical interventions would not be possible,” Villanueva added.
Donating their blood is also a meaningful deed for the APRI employees who joined the drive.
For Christine Barria, Financial Supervisor – Investment Planning, donating her blood is her way of giving back to those who helped their family when they needed blood for his father.
“I believe that donating blood helps extend the lives of those who receive these blood donations. My dad’s life was extended because of blood donations from other people whom we don’t know. So I’m returning the favor by becoming a regular blood donor.”
Rachel Dacir, 1AP Accounts Payable Supervisor, shared “I feel so blessed to be given the opportunity to donate blood for the first time, and it’s Valentine’s Day – a perfect day to share love by being able to save other’s lives.” “It is my first time donating blood and it actually feels great.
The Safety, Health and Environment Department of APRI has been conducting bloodletting activities annually at their two sites to encourage its employees to help those in need through donating blood while promoting the positive impacts of the activity to the donors’ health.
“Blood-letting activities demonstrate our commitment to our community. It’s an activity with far-reaching benefits to both patients in need of blood and the donors, playing a crucial role in supporting public healthcare initiatives,” Maria Victoria Arago, Senior Assistant Vice-President for SHE of APRI.
