Dubai OFW donating platelets for cancer patients for past 16 years

DUBAI, United Arab Emirate – It’s a Tuesday and Vivian C. Bagalacsa is not reporting for work. It’s her day-off and she’s headed to the hospital. Not that she’s sick, but rather for her regular, bi-weekly blood platelets donation that she has been doing in the past 16 years for cancer patients.

“It’s good karma,” said the 49-year-old Bagalacsa, who arrived in Dubai 24 years ago.

“It makes people more compassionate, keeping in mind that the stranger next to them, whom they may not be comfortable with, could have actually been doing something to their benefit or for the common good,” she added, speaking in Filipino.

Bagalacsa, who hails from Bgy. San Roque in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, has been with the Dubai government’s public parks and recreations department as beach and swimming pool lifeguard for the past 21 years.

She may not have encountered a drowning incident to save lives in the 25 years she has been working as a licensed rescuer, including four years in the private sector, but Bagalacsa definitely has helped give new lives to cancer patients through the years as platelets donor.

The platelets are stored in a hospital facility and given to those afflicted with cancer. Due to confidentiality requirements, Bagalacsa said she has “no idea kung sinu-sino po ang natutulungan at nadudugtungan natin ang buhay.”

“But I am sure it’s in the hundreds by now,” she said.

The process, she explained, takes about 45 minutes involving five cycles. “I don’t feel weak after it’s done. I always make sure I replenish myself with nutritious foods,” she said.

Before she started donating platelets, Bagalacsa used to give blood. She said doctors later on found she has a good platelets count and stable haemoglobin levels, making her fit for the procedure.

Mariamegz Vanli, herself a cancer patient, said Bagalacsa does not ask anything in return from the hospital for her platelets donation. “Yung iba may conditions like hospital benefits or bayad,” she said.

“Sabi ko sa kanya (Bagalacsa), ‘Hindi mo ba alam na may benefits?’ Sagot nya, ‘hindi na importante ‘yan,’” Vanli added.

Cancer patients need platelets because the medical condition and its treatment, like chemotherapy, can damage blood cells. Chemo treatment, specifically, can damage bone marrow, which produces blood cells. A damaged bone marrow can reduce blood cells.  —KBK, GMA News