July Is The Blood Donor's Month

Have you donated blood? Are you aware that July is a "National Blood Donor's Month"?


According to Manila Bulletin, July has been designated National Blood Donor’s Month pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1021, dated July 9, 1997, and the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Blood Service Act of 1994. The observance aims to build public awareness of the need for quality and safe blood, honor and recognize blood donors, and encourage regular blood donation.

Actually, I just discovered it recently when I saw posters of this on the elevator of the hospital where I am working right now. I am also one of those people who are not yet donating blood. I am not that afraid of needles, I am just not qualified to undergo this kind of procedure because my blood pressure is below normal, but trust me, I am willing to donate blood... :)


Before you donate blood, medical professionals (medical technologists) will check if you are qualified for this. Here are the following guidelines given for you to be consider as an eligible donor:

• you must be healthy, be at least 17 years old or 16 years old if allowed by state law.
• You must weigh at least 110 pounds.
• Not have donated whole blood in the last 8 weeks (56 days) or double red cells in the last 16 weeks (112 days). 
• "Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control.
• There is no upper age limit as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities.
• Vital signs (baseline) are all in normal level.

After the donation, the blood extracted from the donor will still be screened by the medical technologists to be determine if the volunteer is infected and may serve to validate the information that was passed by the volunteered donor. 

Blood is vital to bodily function. It helps the body get the oxygen and nutrients it needs in order to survive. Without blood, we will not be able to keep ourselves warm or cool off, fight infections, or get rid of the body’s waste products. It also serves as the main and essential bodily fluids in our life.

TO SAVE LIFE, GIVE BLOOD!! :)