NAGA CITY, June 11 (PNA) -- About 1,700 people volunteered to donate blood during the multi-sector celebration of the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) on June 14 at the Naga City Gymnasium here.
The celebration will be highlighted with a bloodletting activity which will be administered by the personnel of the city government, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)-Camarines Sur chapter and the Bicol Medical Center.
Dubbed as "Kadugo: Kadamay, Ngonian sagkod pa man," the activity is the brainchild of city councilor Nathan Sergio.
It is aimed also at raising the degree of awareness of the public on blood donation and safe blood transfusion.
Apart from blood donors from the academe (private and public schools) and religious sectors, 500 from the women sector and 500 residents, city and barangay officials are also expected to donate blood.
Different civic clubs, organizations and fraternities in the city, including the transport sector, youth organizations, radio enthusiasts and fire volunteer groups have already manifested their participation in the bloodletting activity.
The observance of the World Blood Donor Day started 14 years ago.
The World Blood Donor Day is supported by the World Health Organization, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations, International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies and the International Society of Blood Transfusion.
This first celebrated in the country in 2004.
In the Bikol Region, the Department of Health/Center for Health Development and the Bicol Medical Center are active participants of the activity.
Sergio said individuals who will donate blood during the event will be included in the list of volunteer-blood donors posted on the WBDD website and will be given freebies.