SMART Communications Inc. (Smart) stepped up its efforts to help the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) ensure adequate blood supply for those in need.

Some 1,536 individuals, composed of employee-volunteers, students and faculty members from partner schools, military men, professionals and civilians, participated in a series of blood donation activities nationwide. Of this number, about 889 individuals qualified as blood donors.

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Smart's blood donation efforts under Kabalikat, its corporate social and responsibility program, received a major boost this year when its Customer Care Experience Center adopted blood donation as one of the initiatives under their "Community Care" program.

"Through Community Care, we are creating a venue for Smart to work closely and strengthen its relationship with the community through various initiatives like blood donation," said Smart Customer Care Group Head Joy Sanchez.

"We have Community Care specialists nationwide who will see to it that we touch base with our Customers who want to make a difference," said Smart Customer Care Experience Center Operations head Eden Techico.

Smart, in cooperation with chapters of the PNRC and various local community partners, held a series of blood donation activities in Manila, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Digos, GenSan, and Koronadal. Blood donors were also received in Dumaguete and Dapitan by the Sales Managed Centers in the area.

Aside from conducting blood donation activities, smart also works with the PNRC and other service-oriented organizations such as the National Disaster Coordinating Council by providing emergency communications support during emergency and disaster situations. (Press release)