The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in General Santos City is urging the public to donate blood, emphasizing the demand for blood in the city, particularly among hospital patients who require blood transfusions.

PRC said maternity patients are among those who frequently require blood transfusions.

PRC data showed that dialysis patients currently account for the highest demand, with each patient often needing three to four bags of blood per request.

Other patients in need of blood include those involved in vehicular accidents and dengue cases.

“Based sa data natin ang pinakamataas ngayon na cases na need ng blood transfusion is ito yung mga dialysis patients, so bawat patients sa bawat request nila is nasa 3-4 bags, then sa mga manganganak, and of course doon sa mga vehiclular accident na nangyayari, at doon sa mga dengue patients,” PRC General Santos City-Sarangani Quality Assurance Officer, Johnny Fuscablo, said.

Because of this, PRC said the demand for blood in the city remains high.

“Mataas yung demand so madaming request ng dugo para sa mga pasyente. Imagine-in mo sa isang pasyente ang mga request nila sa 4 to 5 units,” Fuscablo added.

PRC said regular bloodletting activities help them reach their target of 1,500 blood units per month.

KAPUSO BLOODLETTING DAY

In line with this, PRC called on the public to donate blood during the Kapuso Bloodletting Day on Friday, February 6, 2026 at Ayala Mall Abreeza in Davao City, Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City, and other areas in the Visayas and Luzon.

“Kailangan, generally fit po tayo, nakatulog tayo ng lima hanggang 8 oras,hindi tayo nakainum ng alak sa araw na yun na magdonate ng dugo. Bago,pumunta tayo sa donation site nakakain tayo ng light meals. Wag lng yung fatty food or mamantikang pagkain,” Fuscablo said.

PRC said aside from helping save lives, blood donation offers health benefits to donors.

“Bilang isang hero, bilang isang donor siyempre you make a difference sa community, dahil naka save ka ng 3 to 4 lives, pangalawa based sa studies , ito daw nagre-reduce siya ng hypertension, nagre-reduce siya ng cancer, the nagre-replenish yung blood natin, in very donation magre-reprduce ng cells sa katawan natin,” Fuscablo added.