SM hosted a series of bloodletting activities, drawing a significant turnout despite the approaching Holy Week holiday season. More than a hundred generous donors gathered at SM Malls in Grand Central, Sangandaan, and Valenzuela to participate in the first bloodletting event of the malls.
The activity was in support of the Voluntary Blood Donation Program spearheaded by the Department of Health’s Philippine Blood Center (PBC) in collaboration with SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) and SM’s Medical Services Division.
During the one-day donation drive held at the malls, a total of 118 units of blood were collected from eligible donors at SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela. Each donated unit of blood has the potential to generate one unit each of red blood cells, plasma, and platelets, as explained by Mary Grace Batoon, a nurse stationed at SM City Grand Central. Batoon also emphasized the versatility of these components, which can be transfused to numerous patients based on their individual medical requirements.
Aligned with Republic Act No. 7719, the National Blood Services Act of 1994, the blood donation initiatives at SM aim to encourage voluntary blood donation, ensuring a sufficient supply of safe blood for those in need. Additionally, these initiatives seek to encourage a healthy lifestyle, as donating blood not only aids immediate medical needs but also offers long-term health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart and liver diseases, cancer, and cholesterol levels while promoting the production of new blood cells.