MASINLOC, Zambales — Iglesia Ni Cristo blood donors are “our superheroes,” stated Michelle Corpuz, the blood bank supervisor of the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (JLGMH).
“They donate without expecting anything in return. This is also a good lesson that the Iglesia Ni Cristo has imparted to others,” she said in response to a recent blood donation of the INC in Zambales, done in collaboration with JLGMH.
INC members held a blood donation activity in Masinloc, Zambales on October 19, 2024 to help those who need blood in the province.
The INC members from the District of Zambales North went early to the venue of the blood donation event at the third floor of the Municipal Hall of the town of Masinloc.
Corpuz, thanked the INC for yet another significant contribution in the blood donation campaign
“Blood is truly essential. If there is no blood stock in the hospital, patients may die. Thanks to Iglesia Ni Cristo members, many patients are being helped,” she said.
INC assistant supervising minister in Zambales North, Brother Renato Durian, said that many INC members in the district decided that they will participate and donate blood as soon as they learned of the activity.
“When the brethren learned about this activity, they voluntarily decided to join and participate because they know the significant impact of their response to the blood donation activity,” said Brother Durian.
Those who lined up to donate blood shared their motivation for wanting to help their fellowmen. They said they had experienced first-hand the importance of blood donation when they themselves or their family members needed blood when they were hospitalized. It was during those times that they realized how such blood donations could indeed save lives.
“There was a time when my relatives needed blood, so I thought of donating blood to help those in need,” shared Catherine Mercurio, one of those who joined the INC blood donation drive.
Venuza Eclevia, assistant chief nurse at Zambales Provincial Hospital and president of the Christian Medical Dental and Paramedical Society (CMDPS) in Zambales North, shared how she herself realized the importance of a ready blood supply when she got hospitalized. This experience further motivated her to continue assisting and participating in INC blood donation and other health-related activities. “To my colleagues in CMDPS, thank you very much for being there. Even though I know how busy you all are, whenever there is a [call of duty], you are always there, ready to support, help, and dedicate time for such programs,” Eclevia said.
The CMDPS is a group of medical practitioners affiliated with the INC who assist the Church in medical activities like blood donation.
INC conducts regular blood donation activities not only in the Philippines, but in other countries as well.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) is a Christian religion in more than 165 countries and territories. It is composed of members from more than 150 different ethnicities and nationalities.
For more information about the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) and its activities, please visit www.iglesianicristo.net