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Nationwide Blood Drive of Ang Dating Daan and UNTV Tallies 2,000 Units

Since its launch in the 90s, the nationwide blood donation drive organized by Bro. Eli Soriano through the Ang Dating Daan group has only seen its commitment intensified through the years. This quarter 2014’s activity is no exemption, further solidifying its continued support to government’s and non-government groups’ life-saving campaigns.

A quarterly undertaking by the Members Church of God International (MCGI), the first quarter mass blood drive held on March 16, garnered up to 2,000 blood bags from volunteer donors in 47 key locations across the country.

Willing donors gather at the Ang Dating Daan Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga to support Bro. Eli Soriano's advocacy of helping people who are in need of blood (Photo by: Rovic Balunsay, Photoville International).
Willing donors gather at the Ang Dating Daan Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga to support Bro. Eli Soriano’s advocacy of helping people who are in need of blood (Photo by: Rovic Balunsay, Photoville International).

 

MCGI is more popularly known for the television program it produces, Ang Dating Daan, where Bro. Eli Soriano is the Presiding Minister. UNTV, under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer Daniel Razon, is a regular media partner.

Both groups teamed up with the Philippine Blood Center for the endeavor. Another noted partner in the previous years is the Philippine Red Cross.

Lucy Ibe, one of the donors residing in Quiapo, Metro Manila, realized the importance of having someone willing to donate blood when it came the time when it was her mother who need it.

“I was really afraid before. When my mother was in need of a blood donor, I was not able to give – it was the doctor and her attendant who donated,” Lucy recounted.

“When there was an announcement about the blood drive, I gathered the strength to volunteer, and when I did, I thought, ‘I can’. Since then, it became regular,” she enthused.

Michael Arellano, another regular donor, shared his motivation for donating what is part of his body to others who may need it. He said, “I have learned from Bro. Daniel that anything good that you can do, you have to do. It is a way to help people.”

There is joy in giving. A volunteer donor beams as a medical practitioner checks if he is qualified to participate in the blood drive organized by the Ang Dating Daan group and UNTV (Jerome Sedurifa, Photoville International).
There is joy in giving. A volunteer donor beams as a medical practitioner checks if he is qualified to participate in the blood drive organized by the Ang Dating Daan group and UNTV (Photo by: Jerome Sedurifa, Photoville International).

 

Like Bro. Eli, Bro. Daniel has always been emphasizing that it is an obligation to size every opportunity to do good to others. Bro Daniel is the Vice-Presiding Minister to MCGI.

One of the grateful beneficiaries of the philanthropic effort is Claire Kintanar, a 26-year-old kidney patient. “I am thankful to UNTV and to Bro. Eli for the assistance that they have been giving. Their mass blood drive activities help a lot of people, especially kidney patients,” she remarked.

“I am also appreciative of the members of the Ang Dating Daan group who donate their blood,” added Claire who has been battling kidney failure for two years now.

MCGI holds this charitable act in support to the Department of Health’s call for Filipinos to donate blood. Every year, the health department targets 1% of the nearing-to-hundred-million populace of the Philippines to be regular blood donors.

(Written by Emmy Borromeo)