DONATE RED:

A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT OF ACES AND SSC TOWARDS SAVING LIVES AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN HUMANITY

Powered by the theme "Donate Red" - a blood-letting activity is held at Batangas State University-The National Engineering University-Alangilan Campus on February 13, Monday, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm inside the Fitness Development Center. The project was a success through the initiative of the Supreme Student Council, in partnership with the Association of Civil Engineering Students and made possible with the coordination from the Philippine Red Cross.

The "Donate Red" feature aims to seek donors from the College of Engineering students, faculty, and staff and is also open to different faculties and individuals who want to partake in the activity. The program encourages voluntary blood donation to guarantee a sufficient supply of safe blood and intends to assist those in need. This initiative left an indelible mark on the communities and the university. The motivation for this project is fueled by the fact that students, faculty, and staff can be volunteers. 

According to Ms. Kathleen Garvida, SSC Committee Chairperson on External Services, "Donate Red" was supposed to be a solo project of the Supreme Student Council. The project was called PROJECT RGB, where R stands for Donate Red, G for Plant Green, and B for Save Blue. They have accomplished the Plant Green and Save Blue Projects, which leaves Donate Red the last project for the SSC Alangilan to complete. However, during their meeting with the Philippine Red Cross, they were informed about a blood-letting activity that was supposed to happen last February 07, 2023, headed by the Association of Civil Engineering Students. Therefore, the Philippine Red Cross suggested a collaborative project between the SSC and ACES where the said collaboration imposed benefits in manpower and project organization.

"The main objective of "Donate Red" was to engage students in blood-letting activities which also have good health benefits."- Kathleen Garvida, SSC Committee Chairperson on External Services.

According to Mr. CJ Lumanglas, a blood service officer of the Philippine Red Cross, there are six steps before proceeding to the blood extraction. The first step is registration, where donors must fill up necessary information such as name and address. They can be identified as walk-ins or pre-registered donors. The next step is the initial interview or screening, where they would be asked by medical staff with necessary questions before proceeding on to step 3, where their vital signs would be noted. The fourth step is identifying their hemoglobin blood type to determine where their blood belongs. Lastly is the extraction, where they were assisted by medical staff.

Based on the registration list gathered, 159 blood donors took up the courage and stood with the aspiration of helping and saving lives. 92 out of 159 were all walk-ins, while 67 people who had pre-registered passed the screening. However, in the pre-registration list, there were 119 people, but only 67 passed and could donate their blood safely.

The first blood donor to arrive is Mr. Marco Malibiran, a 22-year-old student of BS Mechanical Engineering from the CoE Department here at BSU-TNEU-Alangilan Campus. According to him, this is his second time participating in a blood-letting activity. Furthermore, he has profound reasons for donating his blood to other people. He said he knew the feeling of losing friends from the failure of a blood transfusion. Therefore, to prevent situational deaths due to lack of blood supply, he started to have the courage to participate in blood-letting activities to help save lives and create a better future for those people who felt helpless once.

A third-year student in civil engineering Nathalia Parabas, age 20, volunteers to give blood as she believes that participating in this event benefits one's health in many ways. While students from Petroleum Engineering, Rhyan Evea and Kenneth Navarro, both 20 years old, want to inspire their peers by raising awareness that there's a need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Emmy Marasigan, a third-year student in mechatronics engineering at 22, was drawn to the activity and thinks that giving blood replenishes blood. Timothy Canta, a 21-year-old student in his third year of studying industrial engineering, is committed to helping others; he emphasizes the significance of inspiring people and informing them of the advantages of giving blood. Byran Nico Amador, a 19-year-old student in his second year of mechanical engineering, shared his motivation for giving blood, which is to be healthy. Diane Elizabeth Decena, an 18-year-old first-year Aerospace Engineering student, is a first-time donor. She advises others that, aside from sleeping and eating on time, they should take care of themselves and prioritize their mental health. Victor Rosales and John Kevin Bibar, both 19-year-old 2nd year aerospace engineering students, crossed something off their bucket list when they donated blood for the first time to help others and encourage themselves to be healthier. 

Even though this blood donation drive is for College of Engineering students, all individuals are welcome to participate in the event. 

Elaine Fajanila, a 20-year-old Nursing Student from Batangas State University - Pablo Borbon Campus, believes that donating blood is vital even though she could not participate in the blood donation activity. She also affirms that having enough sleep is sufficient for leading a healthy lifestyle. Limuel John Garcia and Frances Angielene De Chavez, both 21-year-old nursing students, donated blood because it is their calling as medical students to participate in such activities. It is also a way of fulfilling their future profession as nursing students. John Carlo Endaya, a third-year 20-year-old and Angelo Noel Santos, a third-year 21-year-old student from CISC faculty, participated in the blood donation drive. Donating blood is on their bucket list of ways to help others, and they advocate that eating properly and exercising are necessary. 

Mr. Juren C. Fajardo, an ERU Technical Assistant, shared his experience with the Donate Red Project. According to him, a lot of the blood donors were all first-timers. It was amazing for him that these people took the first step towards having the courage to save lives. He also added that participating in blood-letting activities is a stepping stone for the community. Having a blood donation event every three months would do a lot for people who need a helping hand and, of course, will also help the donor. Mr. Fajardo witnessed unexpected cases in the said event, but according to him, there is nothing to be shocked about because these are just minor cases. On the blood donation day, some donors who finished their blood extraction showed minor cases such as body weakness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. 

In addition, volunteers' insights regarding the Donate Red Project are necessary feedback for the evaluation of the event.

A volunteer from the faculty of Engineering, Joseph Gida, shared his experience helping individuals in bloodletting events; he was glad, as a former Eagle Scout, that he knew the procedure of how bloodletting activities function and reawakened his skills. He hopes this project will continue in the following months at Batangas State University - Alangilan Campus in collaboration with the Red Cross because when we give blood, we benefit many people.

The Vice President for Internal Affairs of ACES, Gian Carlo Mendoza, shared his experience with the full-day activity. Although he was exhausted, he was satisfied with his work because it was his first time participating in this kind of initiative. When participating in a project as a volunteer, he stresses the importance of fostering confidence and overcoming timidity because everyone has the potential to contribute and has an equal chance to do so.

Words by: John Red De Mesa and Eunice Claire Daep