DAGUPAN CITY -- The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)-Pangasinan chapter was able to produce 158 bags of blood from donors during the chapter’s observance of the 150th anniversary of the International Red Cross.

A mass blood donation activity was held on June 24 at the CSI The Citymall atrium.

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The activity was supported by CSI, Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan and Safeguard.

Among the early blood donors were Pangasinan Police Provincial Director Percival Barba, Provincial Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, Calasiao Vice Mayor Ferdinand Galang and Aksyon Radyo anchorman Joel Balolong.

Chapter administrator Florame Magalong said they were able to gather 132 bags of blood on that anniversary day of Red Cross dubbed as “150th Year of the Battle of Soferino.”

Conducted simultaneously were cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) demonstration to nursing students, hand washing and hygiene demonstrations.

At the West Central Elementary School, PNRC-Pangasinan and Fernandez partnered in the activity that included lecture on ways to avoid influenza A(H1N1) and other diseases, and tips on proper hand-washing.

Another blood-letting activity was held the next day at the Dagupan City Schools Division.

Magalong said 26 bags of blood were gathered from teachers and non-teaching personnel.

He thanked all the donors and supporters for supporting the mass blood donation program. She said their blood donations will help a lot of people who will later need blood transfusion.

The Red Cross was born after the Battle in Solferino (Italy) in 1859.

A Swiss man named Henry Dunant organized the local residents to help the wounded soldiers and feed them.

In 1863, Dunant and his friends organized the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded which later was renamed International Committee of the Red Cross.