CLARK FREEPORT – Hundreds of blood donors, community leaders, and institutional partners of the Philippine Red Cross were honored at the 3rd Central Luzon Kadugo Awarding Ceremony held on Nov. 28 here for their sustained support to strengthen the region’s life-saving blood services.
A total of 314 awardees from Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the National Blood Services Program. Through years of consistent participation in blood donation drives and community initiatives, these partners have helped ensure that safe and adequate blood remains available for patients in need across the country.
“No Filipino should lose their life because blood was not available. With the continued dedication of our donors, partners, and volunteers, we move closer to a country where every patient gets the chance to live,” enthused PRC chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon in his message at the ceremony.
Speaking during the awarding, PRC secretary general Dr. Gwendolyn T. Pang noted: “For the Philippine Red Cross, this year’s theme is not just a slogan, but a kind of truth we see in our everyday lives. Blood is life, and to donate blood is to give hope. For us in the Red Cross—and for the patients, especially—every bag of blood symbolizes hope because we can give patients a second chance at life. And while the need for blood does not end, through the donations we receive, we give those in need the gift of life.”
A range of distinctions honoring both the volume of blood units collected and years of partnership were conferred during the ceremony.
Among the Diploma of Service awardees was the Columban College of Nursing recognized for helping mobilize students and faculty in regular blood donation efforts.
Raymond Papa expressed gratitude for the recognition and recognized the importance of blood donations: “I started donating blood back when I was 18 years old and I think it’s important that we start teaching our youth to donate blood and start as early as they can. In Columban College of Nursing, our students initiate the blood drives and are helping the community address the shortage of blood supply in the country.”
“Since we started our partnership with the PRC and began our blood drives two years ago, our students have been really looking forward to organizing events and donating blood,” he added. Press release/Contributed photos
