The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Friday honors top blood donors in Central Luzon for their contributions in the organization’s humanitarian missions.

A total of 190 organizations and companies from Bulacan, Bataan, Aurora, Pampanga, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo, and Tarlac received citations, including top awards: Aurora Aragon-Quezon Award, Outstanding Blood Services Partner of the Year, and a set of special awards.

“Without all of you here, we will not be able to provide 52 percent of the blood needs in the country. Blood is always a necessity. We consider our blood donors as the lifeline of the people—they are the go-to people of this country,” Chairman Richard Gordon said.

Gordon added that blood donation is especially beneficial today as the country faces tough challenges brought by the dengue epidemic.

To date, PRC, in partnership with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, has provided 330 units of blood to 119 patients with dengue hemorrhagic cases.

“The Red Cross is responding to the needs of the people with a strong sense of urgency. Aside from providing blood, we also deployed medical tents in most congested hospitals, and deployed as well, our community volunteers to conduct massive cleanup and information drives,” he added.

More blood facilities to open in Bulacan

PRC, as one of the top suppliers of blood needs in the Philippines, operates with 94 blood service facilities nationwide.

The organization also eyes new blood service facilities in 17 cities and provinces, including San Rafael, Bocaue, Marilao, and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.

Since January, PRC has served 230,833 units of blood to 136,481 patients.