Red Cross Day

This morning, another milestone has been added to the long history of Candoni. For the first time, the Red Cross Organization conducted the bloodletting activity at the Municipal Health Office. Last year, we had 5 bloodletting activities all conducted by the Provincial Health Office in coordination with CLMMRH. This year, we invited the Red Cross to conduct one of our bloodletting activities. The team of Red Cross volunteers arrived yesterday evening and were accommodated at the Tourist Cottage.

The morning started quite early, with the staff already arranging the place in preparation for the bloodletting activity. The Red Cross team had their breakfast at the conference room at the Main Health Center. By 9 am, donors from various parts of the municipality started to trickle in. At first, we were not sure whether many would be coming to donate. But by 9:30 a.m., around 60-70 people were already lining up outside. At around 10:30 a.m., college students literally "paraded" from their campus to the Main Health Center presenting themselves as potential donors. Thanks to Sir Palata for his support.

By lunch time, we had more than 50 accepted donors (around 20 plus were deferred due to low hemoglobin levels). Our usual average is 50 donors. Even Acting Mayor Jimmy Tiaga came to donate his blood. Barangay captains also came to donate their blood. Chief Cana of the Local PNP also came to donate his blood. Some of my staff also volunteered to donate blood. Of course, Barangay Caningay had the most number of donors. But even donors came from as far as Barangay Agboy and Barangay Gatuslao, 2 of my most distant barangays.

While the bloodletting activity was going on, I had to divide myself to attend to two other simultaneous events: meeting with the BNS and BHW's with SB Tomol regarding strategies to improve our nutrition and feeding program for our malnourished children and my Emergency Department which received 4 emergency cases: 2 vehicular accidents, 1 student who had sudden loss of consciousness and 1 severe vaginal bleeding (for 2 months for God's sake!). By lunch time, the 2 vehicular accidents and vaginal bleeding were referred to the district hospital. The young student was sent home for further observation. But before the ambulance could leave the premises, another female arrived complaining of vaginal bleeding which started a night before. I had her take a pregnancy test and confirmed that she was pregnant. Since they could no longer be accommodated in the ambulance, we had to call for another transportation to bring the pregnant woman to the district hospital, a case of threatened, if not, incomplete abortion.





It was definitely a hectic day. I jokingly told my staff that the color of the day is RED. "Bleeding....bleeding....bloodletting....bleeding..." everywhere. I need a break from this crimson madness.