Nepo Center, in collaboration with Philippine Red Cross (PRC) – Pampanga Chapter, brought back its annual blood donation drive last May 27 at the Newpoint Mall Atrium.
Having started in 2012, the annual fair was initially an activation of Nepo Center’s Marketing department, as PRC – Pampanga Chapter had yet to conduct a blood donation drive in Nepo Center at that time. As the organization found the activation to be beneficial and successful, a meaningful partnership was formed.
According to Trixie Valdes, JDN Realty’s Environment, Health, Safety, and Security Manager, it was the first time that the blood donation drive took place in May, as it was usually organized in July.
“Blood month is July. Lagi da kasi sasabyan marakal masasalanta ‘di ba patse kauran anya pin kanita la mangailangan blood pero sabi da, ngeni kanu—lagi namu atin mangailangan, so I think that’s the reason why they [PRC] sent us a letter for May [They always say July is when they need blood the most due to those that are ravaged by typhoons brought by the rainy season, but now, there appears to always have someone who needs blood donation],” Valdes shared.
During the two-day affair, the organization was able to collect 66 bags of blood, with 22 donors recognized as JDN employees and third-party contractors. Albeit notably low compared to the 97 bags collected last September, it was still considered a success for a weekend activation relative to pre-pandemic years. In line with this, Valdes asserted her goal of reaching 100 bags of blood in the subsequent drives.
CherryPi de Mesa, JDN Realty’s Admin Associate, is an annual participant of the blood donation drive, having partaken in the affair since the first year she began working for the company.
“Mga friends ko rin kasi [nagpa-participate], doon ako nag-start [My friends also participate in blood donation drives, that was where I started],” de Mesa divulged.
With more than 10 years of experience as a blood donor, de Mesa highlighted the importance of conditioning yourself before your appointment.
Meanwhile, for Maribel Ronquillo, JDN Realty’s Office Business Unit (BU) Senior Manager, it was a first-time experience participating in a blood donation drive.
“Sa mga previous blood donations, I’m not participating kasi nga parang akala ko I’m not qualified [I was not participating in previous blood donations since I thought I was not qualified],” Ronquillo shared. “Pero nung nandoon na ako, qualified ako so pinush ko na. Sayang din naman, it’s my opportunity na makatulong din [But when I was already there, I found out I’m qualified, so I pushed through with it. After all, it’s my opportunity to help as well].”
Ronquillo recalled her first-time experience as a blood donor to be pain-free and not as terrifying as she thought it to be. She further said, “Sabi nga nila, parang talagang okay daw ‘yung body system [ko], so hindi ko na-feel ‘yong ganon [People also said that my body system must have been okay, hence, my not feeling any pain.]”
Both de Mesa and Ronquillo encouraged others to participate in blood donation drives if they have the opportunity, believing that it is beneficial to the community, as well as to our own health.
Prior to the pandemic, Nepo Center used to hold first aid training in partnership with PRC – Pampanga Chapter. It was said that there is currently an ongoing plan to resume this endeavor.
