Posted on by Darwin Chan

Ms. Leah Mylen L. Lucero (second from right, first line), SWO IV/Center Head receive the Certificate of Appreciation for RRCY as Blood Service Awardees.

It is better to give than to receive. This is true to the RRCY staff and residents who have voluntarily donated blood for those in direly needing it.

The DSWD Field Office 1 – Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) was awarded and recognized as Blood Services Awardees during the culmination of Blood Donors Month of Philippine Red Cross – La Union Chapter with the theme “Safe blood for all. Donate blood. Save lives” held at Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union. The RRCY residents and staff as regular blood donors have greatly contributed to this recognition.

The bloodletting activity in the Center began on 22 November 2018. Since then, the Center regularly donates blood every quarter to promote social responsibility among the staff and residents, and to educate them the benefits of voluntary blood donation.

“Magaan po ang aking pakiramdam at masaya din po ako na nakakapag-donate ako ng dugo dahil alam ko na ito ay maibibigay sa mga nangangailangan (I am light-hearted and happy at the same time for donating my blood because I know that this will be given to those who are needing it)”, shared Ben (not his real name), a RRCY resident .

Dan (Not his real name) and the PRC volunteer nurse during the blood donation in RRCY conference hall.

“Ang boluntaryong pagbibigay ng dugo ng mga staff at residente ay napakalaking tulong din sa Sentro lalo na at may isang residente na minsan nang nangailangan ng dugo dahil sa dengue. Sa bawat sampung bag ng dugo kalakip nito ay isang voucher na matatanggap ng Sentro. Ito ay maaaring gamitin ng mga nangangailangang salinan ng dugo. Maliban dito, ang Sentro ay isa sa mga priority na bibiyan ng dugo kung may mga di inaasahang pangyayari (The voluntary blood donation of the staff and residents is a huge help to the Center especially that there was already a resident who needed a blood transfusion before because of dengue. Ten bags of blood collected is equivalent to 1 voucher for the Center. This can be used by the staff and residents needing such. In addition, the Center is one of the priorities to be given with blood supplies in cases of emergencies),” shared Ms. Adelyn Casilla, Center Nurse.

RRCY’s bloodletting has continuously advocated the voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and timely supply of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products. It has also developed positive outlook in life among the residents of the Center, that despite of their socio-economic status in life, or even if they have committed an offense/s, they still can contribute to the nation-building and become productive citizens of the country. # By: Vincent Paul V. Ruiz, SWO II/Documentation Focal, Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth