GenSan News Online Mag

In the wake of the alarming rise of dengue cases in GenSan and outlying areas, the Soccsksargen Bloggers in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross and the Robinsons Place-GenSan is spearheading a worthy cause this very weekend!

This is BLEED FOR LIFE: A Blood Lettting & Blood Typing Drive on September 5, 2010, General Santos City’s 42nd Charter Anniversary.

BLEED FOR LIFE is inviting people from all over who wish to do something good and worthwhile on the City’s Charter Day to donate their blood anytime from 9:30pm – 1:00pm during this half-day blood letting drive by proceeding to the Robinsons Activity Center Back Portion, near Mercury Drugstore.  There, Red Cross Volunteers and the members of the Soccsksargen Bloggers will assist you.

If you just want to find out your blood type, there will also be facilities for that at no cost to you.

For those inclined to give blood, please take note of the following blood donor guidelines from the Philippine Red Cross:

Preparations before donating blood:

1. Have enough rest and sleep.
2. There should be No alcohol intake at least 24 hours prior to blood donation.
3. There should be No medication intake for at least 24 hours prior to blood donation.
4. Eat something prior to blood donation but avoid fatty and oily food.
5. Drink lots of fluids like water or juice drinks.

Steps in donating blood:

1. Have your weight taken by a volunteer.
2. Register and complete the donor registration form.  Be honest.
3. Have a volunteer check your blood type and hemoglobin.
4. A doctor will examine you, the blood donor.
5. Actual donation process. The amount of blood to be donated depends on the donor’s weight and his blood pressure. An amount of either 350cc or 450cc usually takes 10 minutes or less to extract.
6. A 5 to 10 minute rest and plenty of fluid intake is necessary after donation.

What to do after blood donation:

1. Drink lots of fluids like water or juices.
2. Refrain from stooping down.
3. Avoid doing strenuous activities like:
   1. Lifting large and heavy objects
   2. Driving large vehicles such as bus, trucks, etc.
   3. Operating large machines.
4. Avoid using your punctured arm in lifting heavy objects.
5. Apply pressure on the punctured site of your arm and lift the arm in case the site still bleeds.
6. If there is swelling and discoloration on the punctured site, try applying cold compress for 24 hours and then hot compress for the next 24 hours.
7. If you feel dizzy and nauseated, lie down with your feet elevated. Drink plenty of juices.  Eventually and in just a few minutes, it will pass.

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 the consent of parents)

• Weigh at least 110 pounds

• With a blood pressure between:

• Systolic: 90-160 mmHg

• Diastolic: 60-100 mm

• Pass the physical and health history assessments by a physician on site.

PNRC Blood Service Facilities carefully screen potential blood donors. The screening guidelines are important and necessary to ensure that blood donation is safe for both the donor and the person who receives his blood.

During the screening process, donors fill out a blood donation questionnaire form.  This includes direct and personal 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 donors about their medical/ health history and conducts a physical examination.

This includes checking  blood pressure, pulse and temperature of the potential donors.

All of the information furnished by the donors during this evaluation are kept strictly confidential.

Remember that blood saves lives. Blood donation is also advantageous to the donors. Click this to find out why. Join the Soccsksargen Bloggers in their BLEED FOR LIFE:  A Blood Letting & Typing Drive on GenSan’s 42nd Charter Day, Sunday, September 5, 2010, 9:30am to 1:00pm, Robinsons Place GenSan Activity Center, General Santos City.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, Robinsons Place GenSan, Piyesta KTV and Resto Bar, Ms. Jinky Borela, Ms. Chic Escal, Rolee’s Bakeshop, GandaEverSoMuch.com, GenSan News Online Mag.  You may still donate to this cause or spread the word around.  Text the #s 0922-8885454.  Thanks to Blogger Rabsky Villanueva for the poster above.