Monday, July 27, 2009

NAVY PARTICIPATES IN BLOOD- LETTING DRIVE

BY: LTCOL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Officers and men of the Philippine Navy shared a part of their lives to save other’s. Around 150 officers and men of the Philippine Fleet took part in a blood-letting drive at the Fleet Multi-Purpose Hall in Sangley Pt., Cavite City on June 10, 2009.

Dubbed as “Dugo Alay sa Puso”, the activity was held as part of the Philippine Fleet’s 49th Founding Anniversary in cooperation with the Rotary International District of Quezon City. It generated 150 bags of blood which will be donated to children-patients at the Philippine Heart Center.

In his speech during the Anniversary, Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Geronimo R. Defensor stressed the importance of the activity as it “serves to reiterate our role as protector, defender, and even savior of the people’s lives”. Admiral Defensor added: “In the same way, we promote our commitment to other local government agencies and institutions in their respective drives and mandates in supporting the preservation of other lives”.

Maj. Luis Carlo Aquino, Fleet Medical Officer who supervised the pre-screening of donors, said that by donating blood the donee and the donor both benefit in the process. “Whenever a person donates blood, the body will be triggered to produce new blood cells. It is a natural regeneration,” he added.

Last month, the Philippine Fleet participated in a blood-letting activity where it generated 80 bags. Navy personnel assigned in its various units in the operational areas participate in blood-letting activities every year. The gesture manifests the relevance of the Navy in all facets of people’s lives not only in internal security operations but in contributing its share in civil affairs.

No comments: