GMA Kapuso Foundation, PH Red Cross help thousands with blood donation drives

GMA Kapuso Foundation's Sagip Dugtong Buhay project is celebrating its 30th anniversary of serving the Filipino through life-saving blood transfusions.

According to "24 Oras" on Monday, the foundation alongside the Philippine Red Cross recently held a blood donation drive at Ever Commonwealth in Quezon City, with patients with cancer among its beneficiaries.

Husband and wife Edward and Stella Praxidio have spent years donating blood to help others. However, in February, everything changed when Stella was diagnosed with leukemia.

Edward continued his commitment to helping others by donating blood as a way of thanking those who helped Stella.

“We donated blood today, even though it was not scheduled. A lot of people are in need,” Edward said in Filipino.

“I don’t know who is donating blood, those who donated to me, but I am thankful for them. Of course, they helped extend my life,” Stella said in Filipino.

According to Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, a total of 78,095 bags of blood have been donated thus far, which have benefited 234,285 patients. The target for 2026 is 1.2 million bags of blood.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation is set to hold another blood donation drive on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Ever Commonwealth.

Those interested in donating blood should keep in mind that the right amount of sleep is needed. They should also not have any coughs, colds, or allergies on the day of donation; must weigh at least 50 kilos; and must have eaten and drunk water before the donation.

For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, Shopee, and Palawan Pay. Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information.

—Nika Roque/CDC, GMA News