ON ITS 22nd anniversary, SunStar SuperBalita Cagayan de Oro dedicated its day serving the public not only through news and information dissemination but also by donating blood.
In partnership with Philippine Red Cross, provincial government and other sponsors, SuperBalita successfully launched the fifth year of Superdugo: “Ka Super, Dugo Mo Paglaum Ko” on Thursday, April 25.
A total of 24 persons, out of 38 who showed intent, donated blood during the bloodletting activity, and majority of them have blood type O.
According to doctor Raquel Musni of Red Cross, the other 14 people were not able to donate blood due to untreated upper respiratory tract infections, such as cough and common cold, and infected and untreated wounds located in the puncture area.
Regardless, Musni said that the 24 blood bags they collected is a big help.
“Very big help. Bisag isa lang kabuok nga donor, dagko na kaayo sya nga tabang. Usa ka blood donor naka extend ug life,” Musni said.
(It’s a very big help. Even if there is only one donor, it’s already a big help. One donor can already extend a life)
Guonnie Oco, a 44-year-old construction worker in Sta. Ana, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, for his part, was glad to participate in the bloodletting activity, especially since it was his first time donating blood.
“Mas malipay ko nga makatabang sa uban nga tao kaysa kita maoy matabangan (I’d be happy that I can help others, than me getting the help),” Oco said, adding that he will continue to donate blood the next time as long as he still can.
Roderick Roy, who have been donating blood for more than 15 years, on the other hand, said he donated blood for health reasons.
“It helps a lot of people also. There are many times that I give my card to other people,” Roy, who started donating blood since he was 21 years old, said.
“For me it’s personal but more importantly, if you give it to other people, you help a lot,” he added.
For those who have the intention to donate blood, Musni reminded that you should have 6 to 8 hours of sleep and no alcoholic beverage intake for at least 12 to 24 hours before blood donation.
“And kung pwede wala tay mga ongoing infections, maayo gyud ang atong pamati (if possible we don’t have ongoing infections, they should have good health condition),” Musni said.
Jenefer Besere, who has been working in SunStar SuperBalita Cagayan de Oro for 10 years, for her part, said that she was thankful for those who participated and hoping more will attend in the upcoming years.
Celebrating the 22nd anniversary of SuperBalita, Besere, the editor-in-chief, was glad for her team, especially with the increase in their followers in social media.
“Sa readers, salamat sa padayon nga pagsuporta sa SuperBalita. Labaw gyud sa tanan sa mga buotan nga reporters, dako gyud kaayo sila’g part kun unsa ang SuperBalita karon (to the readers, thank you for supporting SuperBalita. Especially to the kind reporters, they are a big part of what has SuperBalita have become now),” Besere said.