DAVAO CITY – Parents association of the Ateneo de Davao schools are calling the public to join in their blood letting activity the whole day of July 31, to help respond to the urgent need for blood supply with the rising cases of dengue in the region.
Dubbed as “Dugong Bughaw” or Ateneo Blue Blood to signify the school’s official color, the blood-donation activity is set in time of the commemoration of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit community.
The activity is set in two parts, with the morning activity from 8 am to noon to be held at the Ateneo de Davao University Campus at Jacinto Street at the Thibault Building grounds. The afternoon activity will be at the Matina Campus High School Quadrangle from 1 to 5 pm.
In a press conference at Kapehan sa SM on Monday, heads of the Ateneo grade school and high school parents units said this activity is in response to the urgent need to supply blood for the city.
Their statement quoted city councilor and physician Bernard Al-ag said the city needs 200 donors a day to address the demand for blood.
The Department of Health Region 11 reported that Davao City accounted for 688 of the 1,502 cases of dengue in the first quarter of 2014.
Heidi Maspinas, head of the Ateneo de Davao parents of high school unit, told Davao Today that even her daughter and four Ateneo teachers were struck by dengue this year.
The blood-letting activity is open to the general public, at least 18 to 65 years of age with a weight at least 110 pounds or 45 kilos; with no cases of anemia or hypertension. Volunteer donors would be assessed first by a physician before allowing the donation of blood.
Maspinas added that they are expecting some 300 persons to volunteer for this donation.
This the second “Dugong Bughaw” activity is organized by a committee of University clincis, the University’s School of Nursing, Samahan Central Board, Natural Sciences Executive Council, parents association of the grade school (AGSCA) and high school unit (ADPTCI), in partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross Davao and Tagum chapters through the coordination of the University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council of AdDU. (davaotoday.com)
