Factory Workers Donate Blood

Workers at two garment factories in Carmona and Dasmarinas, Cavite have donated a total of 66 liters of  blood  since they began a bloodletting partnership with the Philippine General Hospital in July of this year. 

No incentive is given to donors except the assurance that they may avail of free blood at the PGH blood bank when they need  it, as long as CCSC has enough reserves, said Noeh Vios, cooperative training officer for the Covenant Community Service Cooperative, apparel subcontractor for the factories.  “Relatives of blood donors may also avail of the blood,” Vios added.  “Beyond that is the satisfaction of knowing your donation helps save the life  of a sick or injured person.”   

“Blood donation is a nearly painless process,” said Dr. John Tabije of the Center for Community Transformation health team. “The actual collection of 500 ml of blood takes about 15 minutes and the only pain a donor will feel is something like a quick pinch when the needle is inserted.”  

According to the Philippine National Red Cross, healthy men and women 18 - 65 years weighing at least 110 pounds may donate blood.  Some 2,000 units of blood are transfused into hospital patients in the Philippines everyday.  One unit of blood measures 450 ml.

Another bloodletting  event  at the Carmona factory is scheduled for November 16.

 CCSC is a member of the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries