SOX Bloggers' Community Service: Blood Letting and Typing Drive 2010

Nang dahil sa dumadaming kaso ng DENGUE sa Pilipinas, particularly sa General Santos City, at sa naging karanasan din ng Davao Blogger na si Ate Ria Abella Jose (click here to see her blog post), naisipan ng SOCSKSARGEN Bloggers headed by Sir Avel Manansala, Sir Orman Manansala, Ate Sheila Dumalay, Ate Donna Mae Congson and Sir Gilbert Tan na gumawa ng community service in order to help those people na nangangailangan ng dugo especially those dengue victims.

"You don't have to be a Doctor to save lives. Be part of something great!"

SOCSKSARGEN Bloggers, in cooperation with Philippine Red Cross, Robinsons Place GenSan, Piyesta KTV Bar and Restaurant, Ms. Jinky Borela, Ms. Chic Escal, Rolee Bakeshop, GandaEverSoMuch.com and GenSantos.Com presents "Bleed for Life": Blood Typing and Letting Drive on September 5, 2010, 9:30AM to 1PM at the Activity Center, In front of Mercury Drug, Robinsons Place GenSan.

Red Cross Volunteers and members of SOCSKSARGEN Bloggers will assist you on the activity but first, before donating your blood, you must read these guideliness from Philippine Red Cross Website:

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How to donate blood:

1. Preparation before donating blood

• Have enough rest and sleep.
• No alcohol intake 24 hours prior to blood donation.
• No medications for at least 24 hours prior to blood donation.
• Have something to eat prior to blood donation, avoid fatty foods.
• Drink plenty of fluid like water or juice.

2. Steps in donating blood

• Have your weight taken.
• Register honestly and completely the donor registration form.
• Have your blood type and hemoglobin checked.
• A physician will examine the blood donor.
• Actual donation. The amount of blood to be donated will depend on the donor's weight and blood pressure. Either 350cc or 450cc and would usually take 10 minutes or less.
• A 5 to 10 minute rest and plenty of fluid intake is necessary after donation.

3. What to do after blood donation

• Drink plenty of fluids like water or juice.
• Refrain from stooping down after blood donation.
• Refrain from strenuous activities like:
• Lifting heavy objects
• Driving big vehicles such as bus, trucks, etc.
• Operating big machines
• Avoid using the punctured arm in lifting heavy objects.
• Apply pressure on the punctured site and lift the arm in case the site is still bleeding.
• If there is discoloration and swelling on the punctured site, you may apply cold compress for 24 hours and then hot compress for the next 24 hours.
• If there is dizziness, just lie down feet elevated. Drink plenty of juice, in just a few minutes or so it will pass.

Blood donation: Basic Requirements

• Blood donation helps save lives. Find out if you're eligible to donate blood and what to expect if you decide to donate.

1. The need for blood is great. On any given day, more than two thousand of blood units are transfused to patients in our country. Some may need blood during surgery. Others depend on it after an accident or because they have a disease that requires blood components. The Philippine National Red Cross approximately supplies one-fourth of the country’s national blood requirements.
2. If you're in good health, you can probably donate. Find out about blood donation and what to expect if you decide to give.

Who can donate blood?
-> You can donate blood if you:

• Are in good health
• Between 16 to 65 years old (16 and 17 years old need parents consent)
• Weigh at least 110 pounds
• With a blood pressure between: Systolic: 90-160 mmHg; Diastolic: 60-100 mmHg
• Pass the physical and health history assessments

PNRC Blood Service Facilities carefully screen potential donors. The screening guidelines are necessary to ensure that blood donation is safe for you and that it's safe for the person who receives your blood.

During the screening process, you fill out a blood donation questionnaire form that includes direct questions about behaviours known to carry a higher risk of blood-borne infections — infections that are transmitted through the blood. These behaviours include prostitution, intravenous drug use and others. A trained physician asks you about your medical/ health history and conducts a physical examination, which includes checking your blood pressure, pulse and temperature. All of the information from this evaluation is kept strictly confidential.

During your blood donation screening procedure, a small sample of blood taken from a finger prick is used to check your hemoglobin level, the oxygen-carrying component of your blood. If your hemoglobin concentration is normal and you've met all the other screening requirements, you can donate blood.

Where can I donate blood?
-> Use the PNRC Blood Service Facility Directory (menu) to find the blood donation center nearest you, and then contact the blood center and find out what they require.

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YOU COULD ALSO CHECK YOUR BLOOD TYPE, FOR FREE! :)

Don't forget to be part of something great! So, see you then!

For more info, just visit GenSantos.com's website: http://www.gensantos.com/2010/08/31/bleed-for-life-a-blood-letting-typing-drive-of-soccsksargen-bloggers/