Paranaque Red Cross bloodletting to be held on Feb. 4

 The Parañaque Branch-Rizal Chapter of the Philippine Red Cross will have a bloodletting on Friday, February 4, 2011 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Parañaque Sports Complex, adjacent to the Parañaque City Hall.
 
     The activity is intended as a contribution to the national effort to establish an adequate blood supply which is essential in saving lives.
 
     The blood donation project is in celebration of Parañaque Mayor Jun Bernabe’s birthday and in the tradition of his famous line, “Ang pinakamagandang regalo ay serbisyo!”.
 
     “Doing service to fellow men is a fine way to celebrate one’s birthday. By sharing blood, we give other people a gift of life so that they can have more birthdays to come and more years of service to the community. Heroes are invited! We call on every eligible citizen to contribute to the cause so that others may live!”, the local chief executive said. 
 
     The blood donation is open to all sectors: Government agencies, business establishments and corporations, NGOs and people’s organizations and individuals who are willing to donate their blood voluntarily. A community member can qualify as a blood donor if he/she is 18-65 years of age or has parental consent if between 16 and 17; has a minimum body weight of 110 lbs. or 50 kilograms, suitable blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin.
 
      Before donating blood, one must have enough rest and sleep (at least 6 hrs); no alcohol and medication intake within 24 hrs; eat light meals only, avoid fatty foods; and increase fluid (water, juice) intake.
 
      Individuals volunteering to donate blood will undergo a series of tests and physical check up by a physician. This will only take 15 minutes. Persons with tattoo and piercings can still donate blood unless advised by the Red Cross physician to defer the donation.
 
     A person who donates blood gets a donor card and gains priority to Red Cross for own blood needs or for family or friend.
 
     For more information, please call Parañaque Red Cross Branch Hotlines 392-6890; 836-4790, or 09175809526.