M Lhuillier believes that blood donation is a moral obligation and a social responsibility to give back to the community. Multiple OPEC clusters conducted a series of blood letting drives. Apart from M Lhuillier’s volunteer donors, employees, and officers, partner institutions like Love Radio and Philippine Red Cross Chapters co-hosted some of the drives. Everyone involved expressed their enthusiasm, willingness, and gratefulness to participate. The project aims to encourage employees and its stakeholders to donate blood in aid of the growing needs of hospitals and health centers for blood especially in this pandemic.
During the runs and prior to extraction, donors were assessed comprehensively. They underwent pre-requisite screening like checking their weight, blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature. They were examined by a physician who even took a small sample of blood from all the donors to check their blood type and hemoglobin level. The screening took about 10 to 15 minutes. They were also encouraged to give utmost accurate data for their safety as well. After the screening, blood donation took place by a skilled phlebotomist for about another 10 to 15 minutes.
In cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross and the assistance of the local Department of Health officials, simultaneous bloodletting programs themed, “DUGO MO, BUHAY KO.” were made possible by OPEC Capital and OPEC Kagay-an were a total of eighty (80) donors from both clusters responded to the call of the community in saving the lives of many.
A successful run was also held by the different OPEC teams of Cebu Region including OPEC Lakbai Norte, OPEC Norte, OPEC Centrum, OPEC Central, and OPEC Sawot where during the whole day, a relevant seminar was held. The nurses explained to the donors how they can utilize the donated blood for their own use and how they could donate again after three months to refresh their blood flow and ensure healthy blood circulation.
OPEC Panay Lontian Gems, together with Love Radio Kalibo and the Philippine Red Cross Aklan Chapter, also conducted a bloodletting activity with eighty (85) successful donors out of one hundred (100) bags target. The noble activity was supported by a variety of personalities donating - from men in uniform, employees from different government and private sectors, and people in the locality. At the beginning of the assessment, donors were able to receive tokens such as a washable face mask from Love Radio Kalibo, M Lhuillier towel (ML Towel), and snacks together with the generosity of other sponsors.
Finally, the biggest blood letting activity in the Cagayan region was cited and successfully done by OPEC Green Valley in cooperation with the Rural Health Unit of the municipality of Iguig, Cagayan, wherein several people from different walks of life gathered to share their blood for those in dire need. Over seven hundred (700) people from Iguig and nearby towns participated in which the rural health unit were able to collect a whopping total of seven hundred forty six (746) bags of blood during the said activity where thirty (30) bags of blood were collected from the M Lhuillier team alone.
Indeed, this act of nobility isn’t done for the faint of heart. It takes compassion and kindness to step up and donate blood - not only does it give personal health benefits but it reduces the risk of cancer in the body. Frequent blood donation staves one off illness, burns calories and reduces the risk of heart attack. It benefits not only the recipient but also the donor. Everyone is encouraged to take part in blood donation so that blood banks have sufficient units available in case of emergencies. A single drop of blood goes a long way, it may be simple for some but it is an ocean of salvation for someone else.