A not-so-ordinary birthday celebration of Mayor WES.

Valenzuela City Chief Executive Mayor WES Gatchalian spent his special day by organizing a blood donation drive in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) – Valenzuela Chapter, August 11 to 12, at ALERT Center – Malinta, Valenzuela City.

Volunteers from Philippine National Police (PNP) – Valenzuela, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) and other departments in the city joined the efforts of saving lives by giving blood to PRC’s blood bank.

Mayor WES personally visited the bloodletting site to express his support and appreciation to the volunteer blood donors. He also reminded the donors that many lives can be saved by giving blood regularly. According to him, volunteerism like this is one way of contributing something for the city. This also shows the unity of every Valenzuelano for the continuous progress of different communities.

“Tandaan po natin na ang dugong ibinibigay niyo ay gagamitin din balang-araw ng isang kababayan natin na nangangailangan. Kaya po maraming-maraming salamat,” Mayor WES said. [Let's remember that the blood you give will be used one day by our fellow Valenzuelano in need. So, thank you very much].

The Philippine Red Cross has always been an effective partner of the Local Government of Valenzuela City in performing humanitarian role of the administration to its constituents. The blood transfusion is a significant movement that the Philippine Red Cross conducts since its establishment. In accordance to their duty of ensuring and providing life-saving quality services, PRC continues reaching out to every community.

The 2-day mass blood donation collected about 232 units of blood from the donors. Each bag contains 450ml of Red blood cells (RBC) and about 53 ml of anticoagulant which helps to prevent blood clotting. Philippine Red Cross has its satellite blood bank branches where people who want to donate could go to. The bags of blood donated will be temporarily stored in the blood bank and from there, it will be the same bags that will be used in case someone needs it.

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