Tacurong City conducts 'blood, hair donations program

TACURONG CITY -- Police, soldiers, students, government servants, teachers and even ordinary have joined Tacurong City's Blood and Hair Donors' Day, officials announced Wednesday.Tacurong City Councilor Psyche Sucaldito said 213 volunteers have supported the activity conducted at the city gymnasium. Of the number, 174 donated blood while 39 others donated hair.Among the donors were PPO1 Analyn Lorenzana of the Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office (SKPPO) I voluntarily donate blood, I am here not because my superior ordered me to do so, Lorenzana said. This is not the first time I donate blood but this is my first time to donate blood, she added.Lorenzana grew her hair for four years after undergoing police training that required her to don a flat top haircut.Sucaldito said hair donations will be forwarded to the Cuts Against Cancer Foundation to be used as materials for wigs that will be given to cancer survivors. We are on the fifth year of observing the Blood Donors’ Day. We encourage volunteerism and healthy lifestyle. One must live healthy to be able to donate quality blood that will save lives,” Sucaldito said. He added the annual blood donation drive was institutionalized through Ordinance 06-2011 sponsored by Sucaldito in 2011.Sucaldito said the ordinance was the LGU’s response to calls for advocacy and promotion of voluntary blood donation, recruitment and retention of voluntary blood donors.The LGU also promotes healthy lifestyle through this activity conducted in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, he said.This year's blood donors day also served as tribute to Mayor Lina O. Montilla's birthday. People usually send material gifts on my birthday. However, I would really be more thankful if they donate blood on Blood Donors’ Day. It is the greatest gift they can give me,” Montilla.The blood donations have been turned over to the Red Cross while the hair gathered during the event were forwarded to Cancer Foundation.