For Ruel De Guzman, a Blood Galloner of Dugong Bombo, donating blood has been a source of fulfillment.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Dagupan, De Guzman shared that he began participating in Bombo Radyo Philippines’ blood donation drive in 2012.
Before this, he had attempted to donate blood through the Philippine Red Cross but was unable to proceed due to not meeting the required weight for male donors.
Determined to try, De Guzman successfully donated blood at the Dugong Bombo drive in the same year, where he felt joy, not dizziness, after giving blood.
Since then, De Guzman has made it a yearly habit to join Dugong Bombo, and he has now been donating blood for 12 years.
Aside from Dugong Bombo, he also participates in other blood donation activities, particularly those organized by the Red Cross and Region 1 Medical Center.
De Guzman expressed his happiness each time Dugong Bombo reopens, seeing a community eager to donate blood.
He observed various employees, professionals, and even mall-goers attending the event, contributing to the drive.
De Guzman also takes pride in helping maintain the blood supply at blood banks, especially after witnessing how the activity helped provide the blood needed when his mother was hospitalized.
He encourages the public not to fear donating blood at donation drives, assuring that it is safe, especially since the Philippine Red Cross has long been conducting these activities. He added that the joy of successfully donating is incomparable.
The 2024 Dugong Bombo Blood Donation Drive is a corporate social responsibility project of Bombo Radyo Philippines in partnership with the Bombo Radyo Foundation, the Philippine Red Cross, and the Department of Health.
The event will take place on November 16, 2024, across 24 key cities nationwide.