𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜

Opening its doors to the public for the first time since its launch, the San Pedro College–Red Cross Youth Council (SPC-CRCY) held its annual bloodletting drive, Project DROPLETS: Saving lives with every drop, on Oct. 22 at the fourth floor of Gaisano Mall of Davao.

Dating back to 2022, Project DROPLETS has been conducted three times each academic year and continues to serve as one of SPC-CRCY’s hallmark humanitarian projects to help ease the national blood shortage.

It also aims to sustain the local blood supply in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and promote the RCY’s Pledge 25 campaign, which encourages young adults aged 18 to 25 to donate blood three to four times a year.

SPC-CRCY President Randelle Roi Capa shared how the project has grown over the years, from collecting about 20 blood bags during its first drive in the college gymnasium to reaching over 200 bags in a past wave.

“Consistency is the key. If you really [want] to help the community through humanitarian and volunteerism, if doon ‘yong heart mo, ‘yong passion mo to serve the people – mag-grow talaga siya all throughout,” he said.

(Consistency is the key. If you really want to help the community through humanitarian [work] and volunteerism—if that is where your heart and passion to serve people lie—it will truly grow all throughout.)

According to Rizh Abellano, Blood Recruitment Officer from PRC–Davao Chapter and Chapter Service Representative for PRC’s National Blood Services, it became difficult to conduct mobile blood donations during the pandemic.

“It’s every day that there is really a demand. Every year, the demands [for blood] increase,” he explained.

Such initiatives have since resumed with the help of youth organizations.

“The help of Red Cross Youth—not just in San Pedro College but also in other schools, colleges, and universities—is a big help to the Philippine Red Cross in supplying blood units to hospitals not only in Davao City but also in nearby provinces and other regions,” Abellano said.

Donors went through six stations during the process: registration and form completion, vital signs screening, medical eligibility screening by PRC officials, blood extraction by trained professionals, post-donation rest and monitoring, and post-evaluation.

Some were deferred during screening due to not meeting certain health qualifications.

For many participants, the experience was both fulfilling and meaningful.
“Nag-decide ko ani kay basin puhon naay mangitag dugo nga pareha sa akoa ug type… mapagamit nato,” shared John Cyrel Bartiana, a 24-year-old third-time donor.

(I decided to do this because someday, someone might need blood with the same type as mine…it could be of use.)

“Syempre, first timer kaya medyo kinakabahan din. Pero okay lang naman ‘yong flow ng extraction—actually it’s very enjoyable … I’m planning to do this regularly every three months,” said Emil Christian Pedrera, an 18-year-old Davao Doctors College student and first-time donor.

(Of course, as a first-timer, I felt a bit nervous. But the extraction process went smoothly—it’s actually very enjoyable… I’m planning to do this regularly every three months.)

Out of 78 registered donors, a total of 62 blood bags were successfully collected by the end of the event, which ran from 8 AM to 5:30 PM.

According to Abellano, collected blood bags undergo thorough testing and are distributed to partner hospitals within or outside the city, as well as to non-partner institutions or the national headquarters when needed.

“A bag of blood could save up to three lives,” Capa emphasized.

Additionally, SPC-CRCY partnered with the PRC–Davao City Chapter, RCY Chapter Youth Council, SPC Health and Wellness Center, SALIGAN Supreme Student Council, League of Clubs and Organizations, and the SPC Office of Student Affairs. Additional support and resources, such as folding beds, were also provided by the PRC and Sub-National Blood Center for Mindanao, and the venue by the Gaisano Mall of Davao.

Now marking its fourth year, the organization plans to continue its bloodletting drives throughout the academic year, with two more waves expected to be held on campus and in wider, more accessible venues such as malls.

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