Feature: Donate your blood, sustain a life and be a hero

By April Montes

Wednesday 4th of July 2012

What is a hero?

Christopher Reeve, an American actor who played the role of “Superman,” a fictional superhero, defined the term as someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences.

When he became a quadriplegic after being thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition in Virginia in 1995, his definition of a hero turned completely different.

According to him, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

Indeed, normal human beings can become real heroes even without super powers or super abilities. They don’t need a mask, a costume, and a cape to save the day but they can still save lives and in return, give themselves the benefit of their initiative.

How can people make this possible? Check this out.

The human body weight is normally composed of seven to eight percent blood. Known as the “river of life,” it is important to bodily functions as it helps the body get oxygen and nutrients it needs in order to survive.

Without blood, humans cannot be able to keep themselves warm or cool, fight infections or get rid of the waste products in the body.

It is also essential for accident or burn patients; women with pregnancy complications; premature infants; children with severe anemia; dengue patients; people with severe trauma, thalassaemia and sick cell diseases; heart surgery patients; organ transplant recipients; cancer patients; and individuals with leukemia and blood disorders.

With this vast need for blood donation, it is high time for healthy humans out there to volunteer as blood donors and transform into modern heroes.

This July, the country celebrates the National Blood Donor’s Month pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation No. 1021 and the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Blood Service Act of 1994.

Armed with the theme “Every Blood Donor is a Hero,” the observance aims to increase awareness of the benefits of voluntary blood donation and to strengthen partnership among implementing agencies.

The Department of Health (DoH) and the Philippine Red Cross therefore, enjoin the public to donate blood regularly to save lives of those who need it during critical times.
It will help in extending the life of the sick while at the same time reinvigorate the giver as new and fresher blood refills their body.

Health experts say that donating blood lowers the risk of heart disease. It also removes some of the excess iron in the body which can cause free radical formation in the body.

So, as the National Blood Donor’s Month is observed, let us encourage more people all over the country to become heroes of the present and to act as lifesavers who voluntarily donate their blood to sustain the lives of others without expecting something in return.

Donate your blood. Sustain a life. Be a hero. (ANL/AMM-PIA 1 Pangasinan)